SAFE CYCLING. SAFE ROADS. SAVE KIDS LIVES. #safekidsweek May 4-10, 2015 Ride Together! About Parachute’s Safe Kids Week This spring, ride together! Kids of all ages love bicycling. It’s a fun way for families to get outside and explore. This year, Parachute’s Safe Kids Week - a national, public awareness campaign - is all about cycling and road safety. We are excited about this year’s approach, and our alignment with the United Nation’s Global Road Safety Week theme of children as vulnerable road users. Putting safety first ensures everyone enjoys the ride. Cycling is a leading cause of unintentional injury hospitalization in Canadian kids under the age of 14. Be a role model for kids with these top tips: ✦ Protect Your Head, Wear A Helmet. Head injuries are the number 1 cause of serious injury and death to kids on bicycles. A head injury can permanently change the way a child walks, talks, plays and thinks. A properly fitted and correctly worn bike helmet can make a dramatic difference, cutting the risk of serious head injury by up to 80%. ✦ Check Your Ride. For kids and families, a fun, safe cycling experience starts with a properly equipped bicycle. Ensure bikes are adjusted to the recommended height for the rider. Be sure to inflate tires and always check brakes are working properly. ✦ Be Prepared. Get trained in bicycle safety and rules of the road. Use appropriate hand signals and respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights. ✦ Pick Family Friendly Routes. Protect young riders by using designated areas for riding when available. These areas - often governed by bylaws - are in place for your safety as well as others, such as pedestrians. Donate to help create an injury-free Canada with everyone living long lives to the fullest. For more information, visit parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, or join us on Facebook.