In Eastern North Carolina, the Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP) at ECU Health Medical Center has collaborated with various organizations to promote safe biking practices among children. The program recently fitted 100 fourth and fifth graders at South Greenville Elementary School with bicycle helmets, thanks to funding from Children’s Miracle Network and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Ellen Walston, the injury prevention coordinator for ECIPP, emphasized the importance of teaching children safe biking habits, such as wearing helmets, bright colors, using reflectors, riding on sidewalks or in the same direction as traffic, and being vigilant of their surroundings. She thanked community partners like law enforcement officers and physical education teachers for supporting the initiative and teaching bike safety to their students.
According to Safe Kids, properly fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent. However, less than half of children under 14 typically wear bike helmets. In 2020, over 136,000 children across the country visited emergency departments due to bicycle-related injuries. ECIPP aims to lower these numbers by promoting safe biking practices and ensuring that local children have access to helmets. By partnering with schools, law enforcement agencies and other organizations, they can create a safer environment for children in the region and educate them on the importance of wearing helmets and practicing safe biking habits.
