What Are We Doing?

The Violence and Injury Prevention Program staff works with state and local partners to increase bicycle safety in Utah. Activities include:

• Educating the public through media outreach and printed materials;
• Working with driver education programs to teach motorists how to safely drive around bicyclists;
• Working with transportation engineers to design roadways that can safely accommodate bicyclists and motor vehicles;
• Working with law enforcement on strategies for enforcing traffic laws relating to bicycle safety;
• Conducting bike rodeos and other programs for children and parents;
• Distributing low-cost bike helmets;
• Working with Safe Kids Utah partners to increase helmet use;
• Coordinating with PTAs and schools on policies to increase helmet use;
• Conducting an annual statewide bicycle helmet observation study to measure helmet use rates; and
• Promoting bicycle safety during National Bike Month in May.

VIPP supports efforts to make the environment safer for bicyclists. For example, motorists need to be aware of bicyclists and be willing to share the road with them. Roadways should be designed to better accommodate bike travel, and traffic laws should be enforced to increase compliance.