Bicycle Safety

Dear Parent, Your child is old enough to start learning how to prevent injuries. Be a good example - wear your helmet! It takes time to form a safety habit. Teach and continually remind your child about these safety messages. Make safety a big part of your lives.
 

When a child receives his or her tricycle or bicycle, a lifelong pattern of vehicle operartion is begun. A bike is not just a toy, but a vehicle that is a speedy means of transportation, subject to the same laws as motor vehicles.

Training Children in Proper Use of Their Bicycles

• Parents should set limits on where children may ride, depending on their age and maturity. Most serious injuries occur when they bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle.
  • Young children should ride only with adult supervision and off the street
  • The decisiion to allow older children to ride in the street should depend on the traffic patterns, individual maturity, and an adequate knowledge and ability to follow the "Rules of the Road"
• Children must be provided with helmets (approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission) and taught to wear them properly on every ride, starting when they get their first bike or tricycle.
• The most important "Rules of the Road" for them to learn are:
  • Ride with the traffic
  • Stop and look both ways before entering the street
  • Stop at all intersections, marked and umarked
  • Before turning, use hand signals and look all ways
• Children should never ride at dusk or in the dark. This is extremely risky for children and adults. Your child should be told to call home for a ride rather than ride a bike in the dark. Night riding requires special skills and special equipment. Few youngsters are equipped with either.
• Children should receive training in bicycle riding, including the "Rules of the Road," and should have their privilege wit the bike withheld if they ignore the safety rules or don't wear a helmet.
• Children should learn how to keep their bikes in good repair, with parents checking the tires, brakes, and seat and handlebare height annually.

HE0081 Reproduced from TIPP 8-years Safety Sheet © 1994 American Academy of Pediatrics 3-37/rev0801

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This is provided for educational use only and is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician concerning the issues presented.