As the weather turns warmer, I see kids throughout my neighborhood participating in that age-old childhood pastime: bike riding. It’s fun, it doesn’t involve a screen or eating or talking on the phone, its free, its great exercise – what more could parents ask for?
The fun doesn’t come without some risks. Following proper safety precautions can minimize and even eliminate injuries and risk:
- Children of all ages should wear a helmet while using anything with wheels – bikes, scooters, roller blades, roller skates, etc. Use a helmet every time, starting when your child is around 12 months old, even for small self-propelled toddler bikes or when riding in a bike trailer or bike seat. Make helmet usage as non-optional as car-seat and safety belt usage. Bicycle helmets are the law in some places and good common sense everywhere and for all ages, including adults.
- Limit bikes and other things with wheels to daylight hours only. The risk of accident or injury skyrockets after dusk.
- Teach your children the rules of the road, make sure they know how to ride along the right, yield to traffic and obey other traffic laws before allowing them to ride off bike paths.
- Teach your child to carry no passengers on the bike. Bikes are made for single riders and passengers hanging on the back or front are a common cause of injury for one or both parties as views are obstructed and balance is compromised.
- Inspect all bikes at the beginning and end of bike season. Make sure all brakes are in working order, the bike size is correct for the rider and the tires are properly inflated.
- When your children are old enough to ride off on their own, equip them with a cell phone or handheld radio so they can communicate should an injury or mishap occur and you can keep in touch and know of their whereabouts at all times.
With a few common sense precautions, everyone can have a great time and enjoy the good weather in one of the few timeless activities left these days! And, Parents, don’t forget to join them! Family bike rides are the best way to model and teach good bike safety and are a great way to spend time as a family and get in shape.