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Both children and adults should ride with rather than against traffic.Ĭhildren should not ride a bike at dusk or at night as this is when most fatal accidents happen. When riding on the street, children should be in a straight line near the curb, and be alert for car doors opening into traffic lanes. Look left, right, and left again, before riding into traffic from a sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot. Children who aren't yet coordinated enough to use hand signals and still maintain control of their bike should not ride in the street.Ĭhildren should ride on sidewalks until they are at least 10 or 11 years old. Make certain you understand and observe all traffic signals and signs. Learn the proper hand signals for left turns, right turns, and stopping. Younger children may need to ride a bicycle with training wheels.Ī child must be able to stop the bike by using the brakes. You should be able to straddle the bike and stand with both feet flat on the ground. You can't control a bicycle that is too large.

Suggestions for preventing bicycle injuries: Protecting children and adults from bicycle injuries Point out that athletes wear helmets for their protection, and, for children, suggest ways the helmet could be decorated to personalize it. Many children (and adults) resist wearing a helmet. The helmet should be made out of a hard outer shell and an absorbing liner at least one-half inch thick. The helmet should have a chin strap and buckle to keep the helmet in place. It should sit on your (or your child's) head in a level position and not rock from side to side. The helmet should fit comfortably and snugly. Helmets should be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Snell Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials. Here are suggestions for purchasing a helmet: There has been a 54% reduction in the number of bike-related deaths since 1999. Children and adults should always wear helmets when riding bicycles:Īccording to SAFE KIDS, bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85%. To participate in safe and enjoyable bicycling, cyclists of all ages should follow safe riding habits. The importance of helmetsīicycling is very popular-in fact, it is estimated that 80 million Americans ride bikes of many different types. Teaching your children bicycle, in-line skating, and skateboarding safety could save lives.

A properly-fastened and fitting helmet does not move around on the head. Helmets should fit properly on your child's head and also be fastened correctly. Wearing a helmet whenever riding a bicycle, in-line skates, or a skateboard should be an automatic habit. However, even with aggressive bicycle helmet programs and laws, approximately 55% of children don't always wear a helmet while bicycling. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of death or injury and reduce the severity of the injury in the event of a crash. Head injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in these types of crashes. The most common (and often most serious) injury sustained with a bike, on in-line skates, scooters, or while skateboarding, is a head injury. Next to motor vehicle-related injuries, bicycles injure more children than any other consumer product, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Although a great form of exercise, riding a bike, in-line skating, or skateboarding without protective gear can be dangerous. In-line skating and skateboarding are also very popular among this age group. Over 70% of children between the ages of 5 and 14 ride bicycles. For Parents: Bicycle, In-Line Skating, Skateboard, and Scooter Safety Safety statistics for bicycles, in-line skating, skateboards, and scooters