Maryland Institute for
Emergency Medical Services Systems

This Bike Safety Project started with a grant funded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office focused on Bike Helmet Safety including both the correct sizing and use of helmet and safe biking best practices. The project established a networking of MIEMSS EMS for Children Champions and Safe Kids Maryland coalitions and community partners with the shared goal to reduce the number of significant head injury death in Maryland due to bike crashes. The grant coordinated production of new educational materials, quarterly social media communications, development of new partnership and reaffirming existing ones, and distribution of bike helmets in 12 locations in Maryland. During the funded seven years, fabric banner displays were distributed to every Safe Kids Coalition, table top helmet safety displays were distributed to 30 locations across Maryland, and over 7000 bike helmets were distributed with just in time instruction to children, youth and families.

The project continues to support the promote Bike Safety information through the distribution of posters, handouts and magnets as part of Safe Kid Maryland & Risk Watch Maryland. Social media content focuses on bike and pedestrian safety. And through Safe Kids Month grants, 80 bike helmets have been distributed at the MSFA Convention in Ocean City in both 2024 and 2025. For more information, contact bikesafety@miemss.org.

Helmets are the single most effective safety device known to reduce head injury and death from bike crashes.