Dear Parents,

The Florida State Legislature has initiated a law that is intended to enhance the safety of the youth of this state. As parents, you can help impress upon your children the importance of wearing bicycle safety helmets. Take some time to discuss the new laws and the information in this pamphlet with your children, and set an example by wearing your own helmet whenever you go bicycling. Bike riding can be fun for all of us, but if not done safely it can be very hazardous.

If you or your children have any questions about bicycle safety or helmet awareness, please contact the Margate Police Department or your child's School Resource Officer.  We are eager to help, as bicycle safety is important to us. Together, we can make bicycle riding both fun and safe.

Sincerely,

JERRY A. BLOUGH, Chief of Police

FLORIDA LAW* - MANDATES

*Senate Bil12370 Amending Florida Statute 316.2065

FLORIDA LAW MANDATES THAT A BICYCLE RIDER OR PASSENGER WHO VIOLATES FLORIDA STATE STATUTE 316.2065 MAY BE ISSUED A CITATION BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND ASSESSED A FINE FOR A NON-MOVING VIOLATION.

• Bicycle riders and passengers under 16 years of age must wear a properly fitted and secured bicycle helmet that meets nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets. This includes a child who is riding in a trailer or semi- trailer attached to a bicycle.

• A bicycle may not be used to carry more than it is designed or equipped to carry.

• Bicycle riders carrying a passenger under four years old, weighing 40 pounds or less, must secure the child in a seat or carrier that is designed to carry a child of that age or size and protect them from the moving parts of the bicycle, except when an adult carries a child secured in a backpack or sling.

• Bicycle riders may not allow a passenger to remain in a child seat or carrier on a bicycle when the rider is not in immediate control of the bicycle.

• A person may not rent or lease any bicycle that will be ridden by a child under 16 years of age unless the child possesses a bicycle helmet or is provided a helmet by the person renting or leasing the bicycle.

Why are bicycle helmets important?

Florida has one of the highest rates of injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes.

Head injuries are the cause of over 75% of all bicycle fatalities.

Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 85% and brain damage by almost 90%.

It does not take speed to kill, just a lack of protection. Even a minor fall can produce head trauma severe enough to result in permanent disability or death.

How to get your child to wear one:

1. Let your child help pick out the helmet. They will be more likely to wear a helmet they like.

2. Purchase special helmet decals and allow your child to personalize their helmet.

3. Always insist that your child wear the helmet. Anyone can get hurt anywhere.

4. Set a good example, wear a helmet yourself.

5. Praise and reward your child each time they wear it.

6. Begin the helmet habit when your child is young, with their first bicycle.

7. Encourage other parents to buy helmets. Inform them of the law. The more children that wear helmets, the more comfortable your child will feel wearing one.

Make Sure the Helmet Fits your Child Properly:

The Helmet Should. . . Fit Snugly on the Head Be Fastened With a Strap Meet Safety Standards Look inside the helmet to make sure it meets the standards of: ANSI(Z90.4) Snell Memorial Foundation Consumer Product Safety Commission

Other Important Florida Bicycle Laws:

• Never ride more people on a bicycle than it is equipped to hold. The person operating the bicycle must sit on or astride a permanent and regular seat.

• Never tow another person or be towed by a vehicle while on a bicycle.

• When riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, be courteous and alert pedestrians of your approach with an audible signal. Let them know you are passing on the left.

• When riding a bicycle in the roadway, ride as close to the right-hand curb as possible and in a single file line so you won't interfere with traffic.

• When riding a bicycle at night, be sure it is equipped with a headlight and tail light.

• Always keep both hands on the handle- bars when riding a bicycle.

• Use the proper hand signals for turning and stopping.

• Always obey traffic signs and signals.  Your bike must be equipped with brakes capable of stopping within 25 feet when traveling at a speed of 10 mph.