Helmets, when worn properly reduce the risk of serious head and brain injury by 85% and 88% respectively.
Helmet Legislation in Virginia
Virginia does not have a state bicycle helmet law. However, Virginia does allow localities to pass local ordinances requiring the use of bicycle helmets by children fourteen and younger. Several jurisdictions throughout Virginia have passed such ordinances. View listing of these jurisdictions at Virginia Department of Transportation. Click here to view Current Bicycling Laws in Virginia .
Annually, the Division funds local helmet and public awareness project across the state. Each project involves the purchase and dissemination of bicycle helmets to the community via presentations, bike rodeos and school programs. Click here for 2008 funded projects.
To request these materials use the Online Order Form or print the Fax Order Form and fax to 804-864-7748.
Bike Smart, Virginia Schools! is a collaborative project with the Virginia Departments of Education, Health and Motor Vehicles and the non-profit organization, Bike Walk Virginia.
80% of childhood bike-related fatalities are due to the rider's error. Bike Smart, Virginia Schools! aims at teaching children safe biking behavior in an effort to reduce the numbers for injuries and fatalities. This is accomplished by having a unit of on-the bike instruction (including: helmet safety, crash avoidance, bike handling skills, rules of the road etc.) as part of the school's Health and P.E. curriculum.
Bicycle Safety Programs have been adopted as part of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum in one or more schools in the following school districts:
Albemarle County Public Schools |
Henrico County Public Schools |
Alexandria City Public Schools |
Harrisonburg City Public Schools |
Arlington County Public Schools |
Prince William County Public Schools |
Charlottesville City Public Schools |
Roanoke City Public Schools |
Chesapeake City Public Schools |
Roanoke County Public Schools |
Chesterfield County Public Schools |
Rockbridge County Public Schools |
Fairfax County Public Schools |
Stafford County Public Schools |
Fauquier County Public Schools |
Symth County Public Schools |
Galax City Public Schools |
Virginia Beach City Public Schools |
Hanover County Public Schools |
Williamsburg/James City County Public Schools |
To ensure that students are taught current safety information and riding techniques, all teachers instructing bike safety as part of their health and physical education curriculum are encouraged to become Bike Smart Basics certified.
Bike Smart Basics is a two-day hands-on training (12 hours) that is primarily focused on teaching bicycle safety and bicycle maintenance for bike safety programs in elementary, middle or high schools. Participants will practice teachable skills and teaching rubrics to gain ideas and methods to develop or enhance their bike safety program.
Requirements necessary to conduct a training are:
To ensure that students are taught current safety information and riding techniques, all teachers instructing bike safety as part of their health and physical education curriculum are encouraged to become Bike Smart Basics certified.
Course Providers and Contact Information
Heather Board, 804-864-7738
heather.board@vdh.virginia.gov
Disclaimer: Links to organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by the Virginia Department of Health, and none should be inferred. The Virginia Department of Health is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at these links.
Contact Us:
Information Line: 1-800-732-8333
Email: injury@vdh.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 864-7732
