Seattle's Success

Seattle, as the result of a cooperative effort among doctors, bicyclists, and child advocates, has seen the number of deaths and brain injuries resulting from accidents involving young cyclists decline by two-thirds in the past decade.

Nationally, according to The New York Times, "close to 250 young people die from brain injuries suffered in bicycling accidents" every year. While only about 15 percent of children wear helmets - and that number is much less in poor or urban communities - in Seattle the figure is 60 percent - up from a dismal 1 percent 10 years ago.

"A bicycle helmet is one of the most effective safety devices available, reducing the risk of head injuries by 85 percent. . . ," a spokesman for the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center in Seattle told The Times.

That city has proposed that the National Center for Injury Prevention, an arm of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spearhead a national campaign aimed at parents, teenagers, and young adults to see that affordable helmets are required, and worn. Unfortunately, the center has said it can't, citing cuts in the Federal budget.

The last time we looked there was a statewide helmet law on the books in New York, requiring cyclists under 14 to wear helmets, though the law isn't much enforced.

The $80,000 or so such a campaign is estimated to cost would be hardly a blip in the Federal budget and a wise investment in the health of future taxpayers. But there is no reason why a campaign cannot be undertaken at the grass roots.

The South Fork, where rural roads designed for a lot less traffic than they handle abound and where summer brings a confluence of youngsters and adults to the streets intent on recreational running, Rollerblading, and pedaling, is a good place to start. As Seattle's experience demonstrates, organizing an educational campaign and offering financial help where needed can boost the use of helmets - and save lives.

Do we have any takers?