Health eMinutes

Bike Safety on a Stick


Each year, approximately 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized. Sadly, more than 700 people die from bicycle accidents annually.

The most important thing you can do to prevent injury is wear a bike helmet. As part of its commitment to the safety of the community, North Memorial will be giving away free bike helmets to children ages 1 to 17 at the Minnesota State Fair.

A limited supply of bike helmets will be given out each day of the fair at the HealthFair 11 building located at the intersection of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street. Along with the free helmet, trained experts will ensure that each helmet is properly fitted for each recipient. The fair runs from August 21 through September 1 and helmets will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.