The Canton Police Department and Bicycle Safety

Wear a properly fitted bicyle helmet every time you ride a bike

The first automobile crash in the US was in New York City in 1896, when a motor vehicle collided with a bicycle. 

Since 1932, more than 52,000 bicyclists have died in the US as a result of a traffic collision.

In 2007, an estimated 700 bicyclists have been killed and over 44,000 were injured as a result of a traffic collision in the US. 

One-Seventh of the bicyclists killed in traffic collisions in 2007 were between the ages of 5 and 15 years old. 

Bicycle helmets are not only for children

Bicycle Safety Reminders

All bicyclists should wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every time they ride a bicycle.

Bicycle helmets are the most effective way to prevent head injuries resulting from a bicycle crash.

Bicycle riders are considered vehicle operators.  This means they must obey all the rules of the road; including traffic signs and signals. 

Bicyclists should wear brightly colored clothing while riding during the day.  When riding at night, bicyclists should wear reflective clothing or use reflective equipment. 

All of these increase visibility of the bicyclist to vehicle operators. 

Use common sense and caution when riding a bike to prevent an accident

South Dakota Statistics for 2007

796,000 – State population

146 – Total amount of traffic fatalities

0 – Bicyclist Fatalities

South Dakota was one in only four states to not have a bicyclist fatality in 2007