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From the Lansing State Journal

 

Published July 30, 2006

Iva Miller's kids didn't always wear helmets when riding their bikes.

That changed when 4-year-old Joshua Blake fell off his bicycle, bumped his head and had to make a trip to the emergency room.

"My mom is crazy about wearing helmets," said Joshua, now 9.

Miller proudly admits it.

"I have three boys, and if that curb looks good, they're going to jump it," the Lansing woman said.

More kids are out on their bikes these days, enjoying summer but also risking serious injury if they don't wear a helmet.

And many don't. In fact, fewer than four in 10 kids wear helmets, according to the Safe Kids Coalition.

Bicyclists who don't wear them are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, the coalition says.

"Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen," East Lansing police Officer Stephanie Gonzalez said.

"Some of these injuries are so serious that children die, usually from head injuries."

That's where parents like Miller come in.

In addition to enforcing the rule, they need to set an example, said Suzy Carter of the Lansing Area Safety Council.

"Too many times, we see kids with helmets on, and the parents aren't wearing one," Carter said.

Peer acceptance is also key, Carter said.

In other words, the more kids wear helmets, the more other kids wear helmets.

Luciano Noujeras, 12, of Lansing said he rides his bike about an hour a day - but hasn't worn a helmet since he was about 5.

And neither do his friends, he said, which contributes to his decision not to wear one.

"It's probably because I just didn't see anyone wear one," he said.

Greg Harper of Adrian said consistency is the key to getting his son Josh, 9, to wear a helmet.

"It's just a rule. Basically, it's repetitiveness. They don't ride without it," said Harper, who was visiting the BMX track at Gier Park last week with Josh.

"As parents, that was one of our rules, even when they were on training wheels."

Wearing a bicycle helmet that meets federal safety standards - and wearing it correctly - can save your life.

To 9-year-old Ashley French, Iva Miller's niece, it's simple:
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