Bell Sports Helps Kids Get Bike-Ready for Pedaling Back to School

Business Wire, July 21, 2004

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Is a more physically fit child also a smarter child? A study released in 2002 by the California Department of Education conducted with elementary and junior high students shows a direct correlation between higher academic achievement and higher fitness scores. Bike riding to and from school each day is a great way to fit exercise into a kid's daily routine.

Bell Sports, the leader in bicycle helmets and accessories, offers the following tips for parents to ensure kids are "bike-ready" from both an equipment and safety perspective:

Scout the Route

Help your child select the best route to and from school -- one with minimal road traffic, in areas with signals that slow down traffic, and no road construction hazards. Ride the route with your child several times. If possible, set your child up with a "biking buddy" who also rides the same route for company as well as safety.

Be Road Rule Ready

Make sure your child knows the rules of the road and obeys all traffic laws, such as riding on the right side of the road with traffic, using hand signals, and understanding traffic signs and how to comply with them.

Wearing Helmets: a "No-Brainer"

Insist your child always wears a helmet. It only takes an 18-inch fall onto a hard surface to cause a skull fracture. Helmets are 88 percent effective in preventing head injuries according to the Harbor View Medical Center, which makes them one of the most effective safety devices ever. Helmets are not a "grow into" item. Make sure the helmet is the correct size for the child's head now, as a loose or improper fitting helmet can compromise effectiveness in the case of an accident.

Light the Way to Safety

If your child is going to be riding in the early morning or evening twilight, make sure that both he/she and the bike has the proper lights and reflectors. All 50 states have laws that require front headlights and rear reflectors on bicycles ridden in morning or evening darkness. Bell recommends both front and rear lights to increase visibility of the rider.

Always Lock It Up

Lock the bike, even when at home. According to the FBI, nearly 300,000 bikes were stolen in 2001. It's best to run the lock cable through both the front tire and the frame for maximum security.

Bell offers the perfect lineup of helmets and accessories to enhance any back-to-school riding experience:

--NASCAR-inspired multi-sport helmet: Young NASCAR fans will feel extra cool in helmets inspired by Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Tony Stewart. The helmets feature stock car graphics and come in the same colors as the drivers' cars. In addition to biking, the helmets can be used for other sports such as skateboarding, in-line skating and with non-motorized scooters.

--Deuce helmet: This youth size, in-mold helmet has a sleek design that is less "bike racer" feeling, looks better with everyday clothes and is sturdier and lighter than many helmets. It offers new features previously only found in pricier helmets: QuickFit(TM) system for a better fit, Bell CamLocks(TM) for easier strap adjustment, and a PinchGuard(TM) buckle for no-pinch buckling. Comes in pretty powder blue for girls and rugged black for boys.

--Blade helmet: A great everyday helmet for $20 that also offers new features previously found only in pricier helmets: QuickFit(TM) system for a better fit, Bell CamLocks(TM) for easier strap adjustment, BodyArmor(TM) Base Guard for enhanced aesthetics and liner durability, and a PinchGuard(TM) buckle for no-pinch buckling.

--FlatBlocker tires and FlatBlockerMAX tubes: Parents can rest easier knowing their kids' bike tires are "virtually flat-proof." Bell's FlatBlocker tubes and tires, especially when used together, can prevent flats even with multiple punctures. With Shardguard technology, the tires are thicker and harder making it difficult for sharp objects to penetrate. The tubes are thicker where it counts, in the "flat zone," and are filled with Slime sealant to instantly block leakage in punctured spots.

--Night Trail light set with never-die light: The only clamp-on front and taillight bike light set with a Take Me Home(TM) battery saver to save light for when your child needs it most. When the power drops, the light automatically shifts to LED mode to maintain safe light for up to 50 hours. Also features a brighter Phillips Xenon bulb.

--Little Luxe lighted child seat: Lighting up at the touch of a tush, this seat stays illuminated as long as the bike is in motion, and features super bright LED lights to enhance visibility of the rider. Soft foam padding also makes for a more comfortable ride.

Other bike amenities for back to school: Navigator Bell(TM) integrated compass-and-bell; Dial 'n Go Cable and Padlock to keep bikes locked and safe in the schoolyard; and SmartView(TM) Bar-End Mirror to easily keep traffic in check.

With a little safety pre-planning and the proper gear, your child can have a pleasant riding experience to school, and you can have peace of mind.

About Bell Sports

Bell Sports is the world's leading designer, producer and marketer of helmets and accessories for bicycling and other active sports. The company markets helmets and accessories under the Bell, Giro(R), Blackburn(R), VistaLite(TM), CoPilot(TM), X Games, Barbie(TM), Hot Wheels(TM) and Fisher Price(TM) brands. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company has operations in Santa Cruz, Calif.; Rantoul, Ill.; York, Penn.; Hong Kong; and Limerick, Ireland. Bell Sports distributes its products in 45 countries. More information is available at www.bellsports.com.