Bike Safety Tips for Kids

Spring has finally arrived. The weather is getting warmer and the days are growing longer. It’s time for children to get their bikes out of the garage and go for a ride.

But nearly 300,000 children visit an emergency room every year due to bike-related injuries. So before you let your kids pedal off to the park or a friend’s house, take a few minutes with them to review these basic bike safety tips.

• Make sure the bike is the proper size. The best way to check is to have your child straddle the top bar of the bike with both feet flat on the ground. There should be one to three inches of space between your child and the bar. A bike that is too small or too large can be hard to control.

• Keep the bike well maintained. Check to see that the brakes work well, the seat, the handlebars, pedals and wheels fit tightly, the chain is oiled and the tires are in good condition and have the proper air pressure.

• Never, ever let your child ride without a helmet. Helmets can help prevent serious injuries and death. Make sure that a helmet properly fits your child’s head and that the strap is always fastened – even for short trips. Regularly inspect the helmet for cracks and buy a new one if you find any.

• Always wear proper clothing while bike riding. That means choosing the right shoes – sneakers are the best choice – and pant legs and shoe laces that won’t get caught in the chain.

• Keep your child visible to drivers that share the road. Have your child wear bright colors during the day and be sure the bike has a headlight and reflectors if you allow nighttime rides.

• Don’t let your child wear headphones while riding. Music can interfere with his or her ability to hear horns or sirens.

• Always ride on the right side of the road – never against traffic. And obey the same laws that apply to cars, such as stopping at stop signs and traffic lights. Never ride without hands on the handlebar and use a bike lane if there is one.

You may want to set some other rules depending upon your child’s age and his or her experience with a bike. For instance, you may put a limit on how far away from home he or she may ride.

Bike riding is fun for children. These bike safety tips will help them learn the basics about riding safely and responsibly.
 

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