Earlier this month, a 7-year-old Arizona boy suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a car while riding his bike. In the wake of the boy's tragic death, Arizona law enforcement authorities, medical professionals, and bicycle safety advocates are working to keep children safe from bicycle accidents.

Arizona law does not require that children (or adults) wear bicycle helmets. Therefore, safety advocates say, it is up to parents to take the steps necessary to prevent bicycle accidents, injuries and fatalities.

According to bike safety and transportation officials, helmets are the best way to prevent long-term brain injuries that are an all-too-common result of bicycle accidents. However, helmets alone are not enough to protect children from the traumatic brain injuries, which are the number one cause of disability and death in children. Parents should ensure that their children have a working knowledge of traffic rules as they pertain to bicycles, and that they are biking as safely as possible.

There are a few common bike safety rules of which all children should be aware. Bicyclists should always ride on the right side of the road, unless there is a bike lane on the left side. This allows more time for vehicles approaching from behind to see the bicyclist. However, bicyclists should never assume that cars can see them. Finally, children should never ride their bicycles at night.

If children commonly ride their bicycles in a specific area, such as to and from a friend's house, parents should make their child comfortable with that stretch of road. Go over any potential risks and situations that may arise there before allowing them to ride it alone.

Source: The Arizona Republic, "Parents urged to help deter child back accidents," Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Aug. 15, 2011