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Bicycle safety

Bicycle fines - click to view largerBICYCLE SAFETY 

  • Over the last 3 years in Auburn there were 52 bicycle casualties, and 1 rider was killed.
  • 1 in 5 reported casualties were not wearing a helmet

Safe Riding

The moment a bicycle enters a pathway, a sidewalk, a park, a street or road it becomes a vehicle.
 
Bicycles are fun to ride. But they are also legally considered vehicles, which is why they have to follow most of the same traffic rules and regulations as motor vehicles.
 
This includes obeying traffic lights and right of way rules. It is the responsibility of every cyclist to adhere to these laws as well as other safety guidelines. Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and motorcycle riders.  

The importance of wearing a helmet

It is the law to wear a helmet. By not wearing one you are risking more than just a $50 fine - you're risking serious head injuries and even death. 
 

The Westmead Children's Hospital says that more than half of the children admitted to hospital suffered from head injuries because they were not wearing helmets.

Accidents causing head injuries can occur on sidewalks, driveways, bike paths, and parks as well as on streets. You and your children cannot predict when a fall from a bike will occur. It's important to wear a helmet on every ride, no matter how short the ride.

Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries in bike crashes by 85%, but not they do not decrease the frequency of accidents, so it is important to remember the following road safety information:

Establish the helmet habit early

Have your children wear helmets as soon as they start to ride bikes, even if they are passengers on the back of an adult's bike. If they learn to wear helmets whenever they ride, it becomes a habit for a lifetime. It's never too late to get your children to wear a helmet.

Wear a helmet yourself

Children learn best by observing you. Wear a helmet whenever you ride your bike and set an example for your child.

Talk to your children about why you want them to protect their heads

There are a number of messages you can give your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use:
  • Bikes are vehicles, not toys.
  • You love and value them and their intelligence.
  • They can hurt their brains permanently or even die of head injuries.
  • Even the most professional athletes use helmets when participating in sports. Bicycle racers are required to use them when racing.

Reward your kids for wearing helmets

Praise them, give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without having to be told to.

Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets

Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Tell your children they can't ride a bike unless they wear a helmet.

Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets

Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighbourhood get into a regular habit of wearing a helmet.   

Bicycle safety tips:

  • Obey traffic signs and signals
  • Never ride against traffic
  • Don’t weave between parked cars
  • Follow lane markings
  • Scan the road behind
  • Keep both hands ready to brake
  • Dress appropriately
  • Never ride with headphones
  • Wear a helmet
  • Give a hand signals when turning
  • Ride in middle of the lane in slow traffic
  • Choose the best way to turn right
  • Avoid road hazards
  • Use lights at night
  • Keep your bike in good repair
 
Download "Cycle and Walk", a map of Auburn City Council bicycle paths.
 
 
For more information on bicycle safety, contact Auburn City Council's Road Safety Officer rso@auburn.nsw.gov.au
 

 

Bicycle fines - click to view largerBICYCLE SAFETY 

  • Over the last 3 years in Auburn there were 52 bicycle casualties, and 1 rider was killed.
  • 1 in 5 reported casualties were not wearing a helmet

Safe Riding

The moment a bicycle enters a pathway, a sidewalk, a park, a street or road it becomes a vehicle.
 
Bicycles are fun to ride. But they are also legally considered vehicles, which is why they have to follow most of the same traffic rules and regulations as motor vehicles.
 
This includes obeying traffic lights and right of way rules. It is the responsibility of every cyclist to adhere to these laws as well as other safety guidelines. Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and motorcycle riders.  

The importance of wearing a helmet

It is the law to wear a helmet. By not wearing one you are risking more than just a $59 fine - you're risking serious head injuries and even death. 
 

The Westmead Children's Hospital says that more than half of the children admitted to hospital suffered from head injuries because they were not wearing helmets.

Accidents causing head injuries can occur on sidewalks, driveways, bike paths, and parks as well as on streets. You and your children cannot predict when a fall from a bike will occur. It's important to wear a helmet on every ride, no matter how short the ride.

Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries in bike crashes by 85%, but not they do not decrease the frequency of accidents, so it is important to remember the following road safety information:

Establish the helmet habit early

Have your children wear helmets as soon as they start to ride bikes, even if they are passengers on the back of an adult's bike. If they learn to wear helmets whenever they ride, it becomes a habit for a lifetime. It's never too late to get your children to wear a helmet.

Wear a helmet yourself

Children learn best by observing you. Wear a helmet whenever you ride your bike and set an example for your child.

Talk to your children about why you want them to protect their heads

There are a number of messages you can give your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use:
  • Bikes are vehicles, not toys.
  • You love and value them and their intelligence.
  • They can hurt their brains permanently or even die of head injuries.
  • Even the most professional athletes use helmets when participating in sports. Bicycle racers are required to use them when racing.

Reward your kids for wearing helmets

Praise them, give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without having to be told to.

Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets

Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Tell your children they can't ride a bike unless they wear a helmet.

Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets

Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighbourhood get into a regular habit of wearing a helmet.   

Bicycle safety tips:

  • Obey traffic signs and signals
  • Never ride against traffic
  • Don’t weave between parked cars
  • Follow lane markings
  • Scan the road behind
  • Keep both hands ready to brake
  • Dress appropriately
  • Never ride with headphones
  • Wear a helmet
  • Give a hand signals when turning
  • Ride in middle of the lane in slow traffic
  • Choose the best way to turn right
  • Avoid road hazards
  • Use lights at night
  • Keep your bike in good repair
 
Download "Cycle and Walk", a map of Auburn City Council bicycle paths.
 
 
For more information on bicycle safety, contact Auburn City Council's Road Safety Officer rso@auburn.nsw.gov.au
 

 
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