Fall Quiz – Test Your Knowledge Of Bicycle Factoids
By SARAH W. COLEGROVE & TODD E. BRIGGS
Fall is here and we have all been doing a lot of cycling. We hope that you have been following the rules of the road and wearing the appropriate safety gear, including a helmet. Even though Michigan law does not require adults to wear a helmet, we still advocate wearing a helmet when cycling. Recently, we did some research and came across some very interesting statistics that relate to cyclists, helmet usage, and other bicycle related safety issues. We thought it would be fun to create a short quiz incorporating some of those statistics.
Answers are at the bottom of this page.
1. How many states do NOT have a statewide bicycle helmet
requirement?
(a) 8
(b) 14
(c) 29
2. The first bicycle helmet law in the United States was passed in
1986 in what state?
(a) California
(b) New York
(c) Colorado
3. According to a study published by Bicycle Helmet Safety
Institute, in 2003 619 U.S. bicyclists died in a crash. What
percentage of those cyclists was not wearing a helmet?
(a) 9%
(b) 60%
(c) 85%
4. According to hospital reports, head injuries occur most
frequently in which of the three following sports?
(a) bicycling
(b) football
(c) skateboarding
5. Motor vehicles are involved in what percentage of bicycle
crash related deaths?
(a) 35%
(b) 55%
(c) 90%
6. In 2005, it was reported that there were 784 bicyclist deaths.
Of those deaths, what percentage were males?
(a) 33%
(b) 46%
(c) 87%
7. In 2005, what number of bicyclists was injured by motor vehicles?
(a) 25,000
(b) 45,000
(c) 65,000
8. What percentage of adult bicyclists regularly wears a helmet?
(a) 38%
(b) 48%
(c) 54%
9. What is the average amount expected to be spent to purchase a new bicycle?
(a) $156.00
(b) $224.00
(c) $384.00
10. In what year did the Consumer Product Safety Commission
first set standards for reflectors, wheels, tires and frames?
(a) 1976
(b) 1987
(c) 1991
11. The Michigan No Fault Law provides that a bicyclist can
recover for any amount of pain and suffering when struck
by a motor vehicle?
(b) True
(b) False
Fall Bike Quiz Answers:
1. (c) twenty-nine. This figure was obtained from the most recent statistics provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (iihs.org). Some of these states have local laws or age specific bicycle helmet laws (e.g. laws that apply to cyclists under 16 years old), but they do not have a state wide enforced bicycle helmet law. Michigan and Ohio are among the states that do not have a state law requiring cyclists to wear a helmet. For a list of the states and some more detailed statistics, please refer to the IIHS website.
2. (a) California. The law became effective in 1987 and was amended in 1994 to cover everyone under eighteen years of age. More information about this question can be found at the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration website - nhtsa.gov.
3. (c) 85%. See iihs.org and helmets.org (Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute) for more information regarding this statistic.
4. (a) Bicycling. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2004 the estimated emergency room treated head injuries for bicycling was 151,024. The estimated head injuries caused by football were 51,953 and 18,743 by skateboarding. See cpsc.gov.
5. (c) 90-92% of deaths or 12% of injuries involve motor vehicles. For more information, refer to the information provided by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute at helmets.org.
6. (c) 87%. This figure is up 26% from the numbers reported in 2003. See helmets.org and nhtsa.gov.
7. (b) 45,000. This figure is up 9.8% from the numbers reported in 2003. . See helmets.org and nhtsa.gov.
8. (a) 38%. See cpsc.gov.
9. (c) $384.00. This figure was posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website. See cpsc.gov.
10. (a) 1976. The law became effective May 11, 1976 and was prepared under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to reduce the risk of injuries related to bicycles. Safety standards for helmets didn’t go into effect until 1994. See cpsc.gov.
11. (b) False. Look for future articles from us on this hot topic. Past articles written by us on this issue are posted on Legal Desk page of the League’s website (lmb.org)
As always, feel free to email or call us if you have any questions or comments. Enjoy the rest of the outdoor riding season and be safe!
©2007 Sarah W. Colegrove and Todd E. Briggs. >Next Article
