After a weekend bike crash that sent one man to the University of Iowa hospital, county officials remind everyone it’s important for bicyclists everywhere to practice proper bike safety.  Washington County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jared Schneider says bike safety always starts with the helmet. Head injuries are the most common serious injury in any bike accident, and wearing a helmet is the best defense against that. Schneider also emphasized the importance of making sure the helmet fits and that it’s worn in the proper position on the bicyclist’s head. Schneider said a helmet should be worn on top of the head sitting level, as opposed to on the back of the head so the forehead is exposed. He also warned that the straps should be tight and not hanging loose.

Common hazards that bicyclists should be mindful of include pot holes and train tracks that can catch tires, cars backing out of driveways, and loose gravel on roads. It’s also important for bicyclists to make sure they can be seen, especially around parked cars where the visibility of motorists might not be ideal.