Bike Lane Crash: Make the Scene Safe First

Cones mark out a street with a bike lane, and groups handle crashes where the first job is to protect: mark the scene, make yourself visible and avoid becoming another casualty. It takes the PAS sequence (protect, alert, help) onto the street.

How to play

1. Setup in groups of five: a cone 'street', a bike lane and hoops as fallen bikes; one classmate plays a conscious casualty lying on the mat (4 min).
2. Teacher demo: vest on, place cones a few meters before and after the crash, check traffic and approach from the safe side (4 min).
3. First scenario per group with rotating roles: protector, 911 caller, the one talking to the casualty, witness, and observer with the card (5 min).
4. Second and third scenarios with twists from the card: another cyclist arriving, a helmet still on, a casualty who wants to get up (8 min).
5. Each observer shares one thing the group did well and one to improve (4 min).

Rules

• No real traffic: everything happens inside the marked court.
• Don't move the casualty unless there is immediate danger, and don't take off their helmet.
• The 'casualty' lies still; nobody handles them roughly.
• Put the vest on before stepping into the 'road'.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: take the 911 caller role and practice describing what others tell them.
• Limited mobility: be the protector placing cones from the sidewalk with cones on the wheelchair, or the observer.
• Anxious students: start as observer and choose when to take another role.

Learning goals

• Apply 'protect before you help' on the street.
• Organize roles within a group at a crash scene.
• Know what not to do with a traffic casualty: move them or remove their helmet.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• hoops: 6
• reflective vests: 6
• mats: 6
• scenario cards: 6

Teacher tip

If you don't have reflective vests, brightly colored pinnies work. Common mistake: everyone rushes to the casualty and nobody marks the scene; assign the protector role before each scenario.

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