As more people turn to bicycles for recreational and everyday transportation, bicycle safety is more important than ever.In fact, Governor Bob McDonnell has declared this week, September 9–15, as Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week.

Last year, Virginia reported 749 crashes around the commonwealth—the highest since 2007. There is good news, however: 2011 had the lowest number of fatalities in the last 8 years. Helmet use is a major factor in protecting yourself in a crash. A bicyclist not wearing one is 14 times more likely die in an accident. Wearing a helmet can actually reduce risk of head injury by about 85 percent.

It’s perhaps no surprise that some of Virginia’s most highly populated areas had the highest number of crashes in 2011. The City of Virginia Beach ranks first with 112, followed by Fairfax County with 86, City of Richmond with 71, Arlington County with 52, and City of Norfolk with 46.

Surprisingly, less than half of all states have statewide bicycle helmet laws—Virginia among them. Although many of Virginia’s jurisdictions do have their own local laws. Virginia jurisdictions with limited bicycle helmet laws based on age include:

• Albemarle County
• City of Alexandria
• Amherst County
• Arlington County
• Clarke County
• City of Falls Church
• Floyd County
• City of Hampton
• James City County
• Town of Luray
• City of Manassas
• City of Manassas Park
• City of Norfolk
• Orange County
• City of Petersburg
• Prince William County
• Stafford County
• Town of Vienna
• Town of Wise
• York County

Visit the Virginia Farm Bureau’s online Safety Center to learn more about how you can be a safer bicyclist.