Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Bicycle Safety
Bicycle (file photo)
MAHASKA COUNTY – With warmer weather and the end of the school year on the horizon, kids can be found riding bikes and playing outdoors. Mahaska Health Partnership wants to remind caregivers to keep safety in mind while enjoying the great outdoors.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of accidents involving bicycles can be avoided by simply following the rules of the road. “Riding is great exercise and fun for the whole family,” MHP Family Nurse Practitioner Tina Main, ARNP-C, stated. “Teaching your children the rules of the road can make everyone’s experience more enjoyable.”
One of the easiest ways to be safe while on a bicycle is to wear a helmet. “Even if you’re going for a short ride, put that helmet on,” Main urged. “It may seem harmless, but even a short fall from a bike to the ground can cause serious damage.
“Make sure your child has a well-fitting, snug helmet that covers their forehead with the strap secured tightly under the chin,” Main advised. “Insist they wear it every time they ride, just like a seatbelt. Wear bright, easily seen clothing and use reflective items when riding in the early morning or evening. Most importantly, follow the rules of the road and keep your family safe while enjoying the outdoors!”
Main suggested teaching children a few basic rules when riding bikes. “When children get ready to go on a ride, they are often very excited. Remind them not to dart out of the driveway or behind a parked car into the street without checking for traffic first. Also, obey the traffic laws like a car; travel with traffic and stop at stop signs and lights. Also, make sure to use caution and be observant of who is around you. Sudden movements into traffic can throw a motorist for a loop, potentially causing an accident.”
When considering a bike ride, Main suggests going out as a family whenever possible. “Riding in numbers is a great way to ensure everyone is being safe,” Main explained. “It’s easier for motorists to see a group of riders instead of one or two small children. Plus, you can bond as a family while getting great exercise too!”
If your family loves riding bikes and is looking for something fun to do, plan to attend the Oskaloosa Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, May 14 from 9 am – Noon in the MCG Parking Lot (rain location inside center court of Penn Central Mall). Attend this free event and bring your bike to test your skills at 10 different stations with a chance to win prizes!
Family Nurse Practitioner Tina Main, ARNP-C, is an Oskaloosa graduate who provides primary care for patients of all ages. Before joining the MHP Medical Group, Tina worked in the Kansas City area providing newborn assessments in a hospital and then primary care in a clinic setting. She is very knowledgeable in treating celiac disease (an immune disorder where people cannot tolerate eating gluten) and offers her patients timely and thorough care. To schedule an appointment with Main, call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
