Bicycling In Pierce County

Bicycling is easy, enjoyable and good for you. It strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system; exercises the joints of the hip, knee and ankle.

BICYCLE LAWS

Washington State Bicycling Laws

Pierce County Bicycle Helmet Law

Any person bicycling or riding as a bicycle passenger on or in tow of a bicycle upon any public area in unincorporated Pierce County will be required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. The law is intended to minimize injuries involving bicyclists and motorists. Head injuries are a major cause of death or disability and studies have shown that bicycle helmets reduce by 85 percent the risk of head injuries.

BICYCLE SAFETY

Bicycle Helmets - Be Head Smart About Bicycle Safety!

You can receive a citation for riding without a helmet. Please use your head and protect it with a properly fitted, snug helmet. Find/buy low-priced children's helmets.

Did you know that:

One in seven children suffers head injuries in a bicycle-related accident.
75% of all cyclist's deaths involve head injuries.
Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce head injury by 85% and the risk of brain injury by 88%.
- New England Journal of Medicine, 1989
Surviving a head injury can be devastating physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.
Victims are often never the same. Helmets can make a difference in the lives of your children!

Why children have more head injuries

Their peripheral vision is only two-thirds that of adults.
They have trouble judging speed and distance of oncoming vehicles.
They have difficulty telling where sounds are coming from.
They are easily distracted.
They lack a sense of danger.
They are often restless and have trouble waiting for traffic signals.

Helmets are designed to disperse and absorb the impact of a crash to the head. Consider these facts:

An impact of 150 G's (a measurement of acceleration used to test impact) usually results in little or no injury.
An impact of 150-200 G's causes a loss of consciousness and some amnesia.
An impact of 1000 G's (which can result from a fall of just 3-4 feet) can cause serious brain damage or death.

A bicycle helmet can reduce this impact to 100 G's!

National Bicycle Safety Links

Bike safety tips- from Washington State Department of Transportation
Share the Road - from the League of American Bicyclists

Top of page

SIX IMPORTANT RULES FOR SAFE BICYCLING

1. Wear a helmet! The use of helmets can cut the risk of head injuries by 85%. For information on buying a low cost helmet, call the Helmets on Wheels Information line at (253) 798-3303.

2. Ride Defensively. Do not assume motor vehicles are looking out for you.

3. Obey ALL Traffic Laws and Ride With Traffic. Bicyclist must follow the same laws as motor vehicles.

4. Learn to Turn and Use Hand Signals. Turning accidents account for about 10% of all bike/car collisions each year. Utilize hand signals 100 feet before you turn.

5. Be Predictable. Maintain as straight a line as possible when riding, signal your intention and share the road.

6. Be Visible. Wearing a helmet adds to your being seen, as does brightly colored clothing. For night time riding use bright lights and reflectors and wear light colored clothing with reflective tape.

Riding a bike is a great family activity and hundred of thousands of cyclists around the U.S. share the experience each year by participating in bicycle clubs.

Bicycle Motocross at its Best

River Valley BMX

Mountain Biking in Washington State

Popular Mountain Biking Areas - trails.com

Pierce County Parks & Recreation
9112 Lakewood Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499