Kudos to Roseville promoting safe bicycling

Biking is great for all ages, whether it's a 4 year old gaining a little independence to residents commuting to work to seniors wanting an aerobic workshop without high-impact worries. In south Placer County, residents have hundreds of bike routes available, including for starters the picturesque Miner's Trail in Roseville or through Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis or along the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area trails in Rocklin. This area offers scenic year-round bike trails. The League of American Bicyclists ranks Roseville, for example, as a bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. Roseville aims to make biking more accessible for both transportation and recreation, according to Helen Dyda, the Roseville public information officer for public affairs and communications. There are more than 36 miles of paved off-street trails and nearly 100 miles of on-street bike lanes throughout the city. Biking is fun, economical and good for the environment. Anyone riding a bike, however, needs to be aware at all times of their surroundings and to always practice safe biking practices whether it's a five-minute ride or a three-hour ride. Otherwise, they risk serious injuries and/or death. That means no texting or holding a phone for any other reason. It also means wearing a properly-fitted helmet each time you climb on a bike. Sadly each year, about 800 bicyclists are killed and another 500,000 end up in hospital emergency rooms in this country. One child out of seven will receive head injuries because of a bicycle crash, according to the American River Bike Patrol. But bike riders can reduce their odds of getting hurt while pedaling. That's by wearing a helmet, which is required by California Vehicle Code Section 21212 for anyone under age 18 and recommended by doctors for anyone of any age riding a bike. In fact, bicycle helmets are 85- to 88-percent effective in mitigating head and brain injuries and wearing helmets is the best way to reduce fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes, according to the American River Bike Patrol. Helmets can prevent an estimated 75 percent of bicycle fatalities among children, according to the bike patrol. So kudos to the city of Roseville for providing scores of free helmets to area bikers last Saturday morning during the Roseville BikeFest. The Roseville BikeFest has been held annually since 1993, according to Dyda. On Saturday, about 530 cyclists from toddlers to adults received free helmets just for showing up to the BikeFest. "Helmets save lives, which is why the city of Roseville wants more people to be equipped for bicycling safely," Dyda said. "But a helmet is only safe if it fits you properly. The goal of BikeFest is to provide bike safety information and a free helmet that's fitted specifically for you." Community and business sponsors donated funds to the city of Roseville for the free helmets at the Roseville Bike Fest. Kudos too to Kiwanis Club of Roseville, Psomas, Roller King, Sacramento Bike Hikers, Bob's Cycle Center, Iron Horse Media, Roseville Firefighters, Denio's Farmers Market, Roseville Moose Lodge and Sun City Roseville Bike Club for being sponsors. Those 530 bikers who picked up the helmets Saturday should also be commended for taking extra steps to be safe. As they pedal throughout the area, they're being great role models to other riders.