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Bicycle and motorcycle crashes: first aid and scene safety

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Bicycle and motorcycle riders lack outer vehicle protection, making crashes high-impact events with risk of severe head, neck, and orthopedic trauma.

Do this now

  1. Protect the scene from oncoming traffic: position your vehicle safely with hazard lights on to shield the downed rider.
  2. Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States, 112 in Europe, 999 in the United Kingdom) immediately.
  3. Do not move the downed rider or remove their helmet unless they are not breathing and their airway is blocked.
  4. Keep the rider still, calm, and lying flat while holding their head steady.
  5. Control any severe bleeding with direct pressure.

Helmet removal rules: When NOT to take it off

Removing a motorcycle or bicycle helmet from an injured rider can cause permanent spinal cord injury or death if their neck is broken.

  • Leave the helmet on: If the rider is conscious or breathing normally, leave the helmet on until trained paramedics arrive.
  • Remove only for airway emergency: Remove the helmet only if the rider is unconscious, not breathing, and you must perform mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing or CPR.

If you must remove a full-face helmet to save a life, do so with two rescuers: one holds the neck straight from below while the second gently expands the helmet sides and slides it off vertically.

First aid priority steps at the crash scene

  1. Check responsiveness and breathing: Talk to the rider. Ask if they can feel their hands and feet.
  2. Control severe bleeding: Apply firm direct pressure over bleeding wounds with a clean cloth or tourniquet for limb bleeding.
  3. Prevent shock: Cover the rider with a jacket or blanket to keep them warm.
  4. Gather evidence if able: Note vehicle descriptions, license plates, and driver details if a hit-and-run occurred.

Preventing secondary collisions

Downed motorcycles and bicycles in traffic lanes create severe chain-reaction hazards.

  • Set out warning triangles or flares well uproad from the crash scene if available.
  • Direct helper bystanders to wave flashlights or yellow flags to slow oncoming traffic.

... note "Helmet safety standards" Wearing a DOT, ECE, or Snell certified motorcycle helmet or CPSC approved bicycle helmet reduces fatal head injuries by up to 70 percent.