Wheeled Sports Safety

Bicycling is a popular activity for children and adults in our region. Inline skating, skateboarding, and scootering continue to grow. While these activities offer great exercise, wheeled sports are associated with more childhood injuries than almost any other consumer product except the automobile.

Safe Kids Grand Forks provides wheeled sports safety education across the community. Learn how to choose and fit a helmet, follow the rules of the road, and find programs and materials to help every rider stay safe.

How to Choose a Helmet

• A helmet is a necessity, not an accessory. Wear a helmet every time you bike, skate, or scooter.
• Children of all ages should wear helmets when riding on a bike or in a carrier. Children under about one year should not ride in carriers due to limited neck and spine strength.
• Begin the helmet habit early and insist on a helmet from the first ride.
• Set an example — adults who wear helmets make a big difference.
• Bicycle helmets protect the sides and front of the head and are for bicycling only — not for other wheeled sports.
• Multi-sport helmets may be used for non-motorized wheeled sports (inline skating, skateboarding, scooter, bicycling) and protect the back, sides, and front of the head.
• Toddler helmets are often used for tricycles and bike carriers; tricycles can tip backward, so extra protection at the base of the skull matters.
• Safe Kids Grand Forks sells helmets at reduced prices with education on proper use. To schedule a fitting, email safekids@altru.org.

How to Fit a Bike Helmet

A bicycle helmet should fit comfortably and snugly without rocking forward or backward. It should sit level on the head, and the straps should always be secured.

Rules of the Road

Learn and obey traffic laws. Ride on the right, with traffic. Use hand signals, respect signals and signs, and stop and look both ways before entering a street. See theGrand Forks City Code (search for “bicycle”).

Cycling on sidewalks and paths is appropriate until about age 10, when children can demonstrate riding skill and judgment. Adult supervision is essential until traffic skills are solid.

Community Education Programs

Safe Kids Grand Forks partners with schools and agencies to offer education and reduced-price safety gear at public events and schools.

• Safety on Wheels: With the Optimist Club of Grand Forks, Safe Kids presents head-injury prevention to third-grade classrooms in Greater Grand Forks. Students may purchase helmets at a reduced price. The Optimists hold bike rodeos in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks (skills, inspection, and simple maintenance). The program has also reached regional schools; Safe Kids has a bike rodeo kit for communities the Optimists cannot travel to.
• Bike to School Day: Each May, Safe Kids works with Grand Forks and East Grand Forks schools for this national event. Staff and volunteers greet riders, promote safety, and check helmets.
• Community outreach: Education and helmet sales appear at health and safety fairs, Grand Forks Park District Summerthing, Turtle River State Park events, Rollin’ on the River skate events, regional farm safety camps, and similar gatherings.

Cone Head Reward Program

Each summer, Safe Kids Grand Forks and local McDonald’s restaurants run the “Cone Head Program.” Grand Forks police officers “catch” kids wearing helmets and issue a Cone Head Citation good for a free ice cream cone. Similar programs run in Larimore (The Scoop & Larson’s Drive Inn, with the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department) and Northwood (Northwood Police and Cool Stuff Drive Inn).

AAA North Dakota and Dairy Queen also offer “I Got Caught” recognition statewide. Learn more at AAA.com/Safety.

Equipment Fitting and Distribution

Safe Kids Grand Forks offers wheeled-sports helmets, pad sets (knee, elbow, wrist), and bike locks by suggested donation. Fittings are by appointment — call or email before visiting, as staff are often at community events.

Typical suggested donations are about $3–$5 for children’s helmets and about $3 for bike locks; see our currentsafety items sale flyer for full pricing and availability.

Grand Forks: League of American Bicyclists Bronze Level Designation

Greater Grand Forks earned the League of American Bicyclists’ Bronze designation in November 2014 after a rigorous review of education, enforcement, engineering, and encouragement. Read the communityreport card (PDF) for accomplishments and goals. For local routes, see theGrand Forks / East Grand Forks bikeway map (2020, PDF).