Maison Law of Fresno sponsored a weekend world record event focused on bringing awareness to local bicycle safety. Participants took part in an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for passing a bicycle helmet from rider to rider at Woodward Park on Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Families jumped at the chance to participate in some fun and games and to share the helmet in a video chain for a chance to reach a world record. Children got a free, white bicycle helmet that they could decorate with their own drawings.
One guest at the event was Fresno Councilmember Garry Bredefeld. Councilmember Bredefeld is an advocate for bicycle safety for adult riders and children who love bike rides.
He spoke about how putting on a helmet can make such a difference in the outcome of a bicycle accident. “Well, it’s critically important. It’s a very simple thing to do in terms of preventing accidents. Put your helmet on. If there’s an accident, and unfortunately, there always is, somewhere, it ensures that you’re going to leave that accident safely, and you won’t harm yourself. It’s just a simple thing to do to prevent injury,” Bredefeld said.
Maison Law reinforced Sunday’s message about helmet use with an online study of bicycle accident rates for Fresno in recent years. The figures showed that the number of bicycle accident injuries soared last year. In 2022, there were 81 serious bicycle accidents (accidents involving injuries) recorded across the city. That was a sharp increase from the 54 serious bicycle accidents documented in 2021.
Some additional disturbing data emerged in the Fresno study. Young people ages 11 to 19 were the second most likely age group to suffer a bicycle injury. They were the victims of 29 accidents in 2022. Riders age 40 to 49 were involved in 30 serious bicycle crashes.
Councilman Bredefeld was asked what the town of Fresno was doing to promote bicycle safety. “The mayor was just leading an effort where there were people riding bikes. Everyone had a helmet on,” said Bredefeld. “Again, it’s just a simple thing to do to ensure that if there’s an accident and you’re involved, you’ll be safe. You’ll walk away from it. We’ve seen too many people not wearing helmets, not walk away from it.”
It’s hoped that important reminders like this weekend’s event, along with the addition of more bike lanes and trails for riding will help keep Fresno riders of all ages safer.
