PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

In 1999, nationwide, 750 bicyclists were killed and 51,000 were injured in traffic crashes. Almost a third of all bicyclists killed in these crashes were between 5 and 15 years old. In 1998, an estimated 1,275 people were injured in bike related crashes in Massachusetts. State law requires children under the age of 13 to wear an approved helmet. The law has no enforcement provision; therefore compliance is voluntary. Urban adolescents are less likely to use bicycle helmets. Additionally, they may not have been exposed to safe cycling practices and the rules of the road. Boston's minority youngsters were considered a high-risk population because of the lack of availability of helmets and lack of access to educational and awareness programs.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goals and objectives are to:

• increase awareness of safe bicycle riding behavior including the proper use of helmets;

• create a program that provides a safe structured place for athletic and safety educational experience for minority youth;

• develop products and tools that attract at-risk youth to the program; and

• reduce bicycle related deaths and injuries among the city's minority youth.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Bikes Not Bombs (BNB), a non-profit bicycle advocacy organization, promotes bicycling as a means of transportation and recreation among inner-city residents. A major goal is to educate young low-income riders in bilingual neighborhoods in correct helmet use and on-street safe cycling.

“Girls in Action” was developed by BNB to help young girls ages 10-13 from disadvantaged families to develop self-esteem, positive friendships, enthusiasm for bicycling, and safe riding skills. The program, now in its third season, offers the opportunity to engage in basic bicycle mechanics and safety projects, bicycle outings, arts and crafts, and discussions on topics of interest. The girls meet once a week and two Saturdays a month from mid- September through June under the direction of older teen staff and adult volunteers. To date, 24 girls have completed the program and eight are currently enrolled. Parent and teacher volunteers serve as workshop leaders. In addition to the $15 fee per semester ($45 total), the extra funds needed to support the project are raised through phone solicitations and foundation grants.

The program leaders and participants also developed and produced an educational video titled, “Girls in Action”. It covers the most important aspects of safe on-street bicycle riding – from proper bicycle and helmet fit to how to take a left hand turn. Since young people created it, the video will speak to other young people in a positive and effective way. The video was showcased at the Massachusetts Bicycle/Pedestrian conference “Moving Together”, sponsored by the MA Highway Department, the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau and the MA Department of Public Health. The video may be purchased from BNB for $30, plus shipping (617-442-0004).

RESULTS

The completion of the pilot phase of the Girls In Action program yielded the following results.

• An innovative 10-month program that combines the development of self-esteem, social skills, and bicycle oriented athletic activity for minority youth.

• An educational video that can be marketed to other community based organizations in urban settings.

• Greater collaboration and sharing of resources from foundation and other private sector partners.

• Exit interview tools that evaluate program process and results among participants and collaborating agencies.

   WINTER 2002