HELMETS ON HEADS.orgAnyone who has ever felt the joy that comes from riding a bicycle knows that there is much more to it than getting from point A to B. Riding a bike creates that first experience of freedom and is an open door to the world. Biking is meant to be a fun and healthy experience, but in order to make sure that it remains that way it is important to take a moment to remember safety.Each and every time you are about to embark on your next bike adventure take a moment to ask yourself:

Is the risk of not wearing a helmet really worth it?A crash or fall can occur in a split-second and can happen anywhere; even in your back yard or the sidewalk around your block. These types of accidents can potentially have serious or fatal effects, but of you are wearing a helmet that helmet can absorb the impact, rather than your head and brain.

The FactsIn 2011, 677 cyclists were killed and 48,000 cyclists reported injuries in crashes involving motor vehicles.

  • 16% (an estimated 8,000) of those injured were 14 years old or younger.
  • 80% of accidents occur in daylight.
  • Nearly 75% of all fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries and no more than 17% of those fatally injured were wearing helmets
  • In 2009 it was estimated that 9 in 10 bicyclists killed were not wearing helmets.
  • Despite these facts, only 20-25% of all bicyclists wear bicycle helmets.

Remember helmets are not just for children; helmets are important at any age!

83% of bicycle deaths were of people 20 and older. - Data acquired by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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1. What is the central idea this article? Write out and complete - The central idea of this article is…

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2. List four of the most important facts from this article that might convince a person to wear a helmet while biking.

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Public service announcements (PSA) or public service ads, are messages in the public interest disseminated (spread) by the media without charge, with the objective of raising awareness, changing public attitudes and behavior towards a social issue.

You are to create a public service ad poster urging the public to wear helmets while bike riding. List at least three reasons (taken from the text) as to why people should wear helmets. Create a first draft in your notebook and then on blank paper for your final draft. An excellent poster will be creative, neat and colorful and show that you take pride in your work.

CCSS ELA ANCHOR STANDARDS:Reading 1: Read closely to infer from the text and cite textual evidence to support conclusions. Writing 1: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of topics using reasoning and evidence.Ms. Roth

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