Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

Statistics show that 40% of the population do not have a driver's license. This translates to the fact that millions of Americans rely on non-motorized transportation options, which includes walking and bicycling. At NHTSA, preserving the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists is important. In tandem with state highway safety offices, NHTSA develops strategies to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities through educational efforts, distribution of informational materials and grants.

NHTSA's Great Lakes Region supports bicycle safety through many activities in each state. Recently, the office co-sponsored Ride Like A Pro bicycle events with Delnor Hospital and the Kane (Ill.) County Cougars (affiliate of Florida Marlins) and also with Hope Children's Hospital and the Cook County (Ill.) Cheetahs.

Illinois - The City of Chicago's Bicycle Program was described by Bicycling Magazine, the world's premier bicycling journal, as one of the 10 Best Cycling Cities in North America. In its March 1999 edition, the magazine examines cities with a minimum population of 200,000. Its assessments are based on cycling infrastructure, (including bike lanes, bike racks, and safety programs), as well as the "local cycling culture." http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Transportation/BikeInfo Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has a web site located at http://www.aoscom.com/org/cbf/#cbffight

Indiana - The Indiana Bicycling Coalition site can be reached at http://www.bicycleindiana.org/ The Central Indiana Association can be reached at http://www.cibaride.org/

Michigan - The Michigan League of Bicyclists site can be reached at http://www.lmb.org/ The Michiana Bicycle Association site is located at http://members.aol.com/recla/mba/mba1.htm

Minnesota - The site of the Bicycle Advisory Committee is located at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sbac/ The Minnesota Coalition of Bicyclists has a web site at http://www.mtn.org/tcbc/ The Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws can be found at the web site at http://www.mnbikesafety.umn.edu/brochures/other/mbtlar.html

Ohio - The Ohio Bicycle Federation has a web site located at http://www.ohiobike.org/

Wisconsin - There is an active bicycle program in Wisconsin. A site that contains Wisconsin state statutes that relate to bicycles can be visited at http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/statutes/ The Wisconsin Bicycle Federation site can be reached at http://www.bfw.org/ The City of Port Washington is a leader in bicycle helmet use, and has had a enforced, bicycle helmet use ordinance since March of 1997. Contact Mike Keller or Chief Edward Rudolph, Port Washington Police Department, 365 North Wisconsin Street, Port Washington, WI 53074, 262-284-2611.

Other Bicycle Safety Sites:
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
WHO Helmet Initiative - Emory University

For additional information please contact the NHTSA Great Lakes Region office at Region5@nhtsa.dot.gov