Bicycle Safety is a one of a kind program provided by Elk Grove Township to all students of our Township. The program is funded by the taxpayers that live in our township, and has been in existence for 28 years. 

Children are invited to participate from grades K-5. We encourage all grade levels to participate every year as the program is progressive with new skills introduced each year. 

Our Bicycle Safety program is two-fold. We first have an in-class presentation by one of our assistants – this includes a visual map of a street, learning the meaning of street markings and signs, hand signals and a video on bike safety. A Bicycle Safety Activity Booklet is given to each student. This presentation may be done in the school or at our facility. Each program is geared toward the specific grade level of students. 

Following the in-class program, within a day or two, the students attend our facility to have a hands-on experience riding the bicycles and using all the information they just learned. The children now become drivers of a vehicle and must exhibit all correct hand signals and all procedures involved in being a safe driver. Also, to promote the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet, one helmet is given to each class to be raffled off by the classroom teacher.   

The program is also available to children who live outside the township during the fall season. This includes scout groups and church groups. The fee is $100.00 for each group of up to 25 children for approximately one hour field trip.    



Easy Steps to Properly

Fit a Bicycle Helmet

A bicycle crash can happen at any time. A properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

More children age 5 to 14 go to hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with bicycles than with any other sport. Many of these injuries involve the head. Helmet laws ensure the safety of our children.

To select and properly fit a bicycle helmet, follow the helmet fitting instructions below. It may take some time to ensure a proper fit.

Step 1 - Size:
Measure your head for approximate size. Try the helmet on to ensure it fits snuggly. While it is sitting flat on top of your head, make sure the helmet doesn’t rock side to side.

illustration shows measuring the helmet with 2 fingers

 

Step 2 - Position:
The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead—one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow.

illustration - centering the buckle under the chin

 

Step 3 - Buckles:
Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. This task is easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.

illustration - adjusting the slider

 

Step 4 - Side Straps:
Adjust the slider on both straps to form a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible.

illustration - buckling the chin strap

 

Step 5 - Chin Strap:
Buckle your chin strap. Tighten the strap until it is snug, so that no more than one or two fingers fit under the strap.

illustration - final fitting

  

Step 6 - Final Fitting:

Does your helmet fit properly:

  1. Does your helmet rock back more than two fingers above the eyebrows? If so, unbuckle, shorten the front strap by moving the slider forward.
    Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again.
  2. Does your helmet rock forward into your eyes? If so, unbuckle, tighten the back strap by moving the slider back toward the ear. Buckle, retighten the chin strap, and test again.

REMEMBER:
     

A bicycle helmet can protect your head and brain

ONLY if you wear it each time you ride!
For more information on bike helmets for children, follow this link to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute web-page titled "A Bicycle Helmet For My Child".   www.bhsi.org/ childpam.htm