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Bike Safety

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The Facts

• In 2014, 98 children aged 19 and younger were killed in a biking related accident.

• Properly-fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent – yet less than half of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet.

Source: Safe Kids Worldwide, 2016

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Use your Head: Wear a Helmet!

• Wear a properly fitted bike helmet when riding a bike. • A helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position,

and should not rock forward, backward or side to side. • The helmet straps must always be buckled, but not too

tightly.• How do you know if your bike helmet fits properly?

• Check EYES: put the helmet on and look up. You should be able to see the bottom rim of the helmet.

• Check EARS: make sure the straps form a “V” around the ear that is snug, but comfortable.

• Check MOUTH: open your mouth as wide as you can. You should feel the helmet snug down on your head.

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The Activity Determines the Helmet

• Did you know there are different helmets for different activities? • Wearing a bike helmet during a football game would

not do you much good, would it?• Children should wear a helmet for all wheeled

activities. • A bike helmet should be worn when biking, in-

line or roller skating, or scooting. • When skateboarding or longboarding, your child

should wear a CPSC certified skateboarding helmet.

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Picking a Bike

• When choosing a bike it is importing to select a bike that the child fits now, not one that they can grow into.

• When your child is sitting on the bike seat, their feet should touch the ground.

• Before riding: • Check brakes, check tire inflation, ensure reflectors are

secure, and helmet is properly fitted.• Make sure your child is wearing the appropriate attire.

• Loose clothing can get caught in the wheels or gears and cause an accident.

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While Riding

• Supervise your child until you are comfortable and able to give them the responsibility of riding on their own.

• Teach your child to watch for cars: both in the road and in driveways. • Every child is different, but most are unable to judge

the speed and distance of a vehicle until 10 years old. • Children should understand and demonstrate the

rules of the road before being allowed to cycle with traffic.

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While Riding

• Teach children to make eye-contact with drivers. • This ensures that the driver sees your child on their

bike, and that your child is not assuming that they are seen.

• Ride on the RIGHT side of the road, with traffic. • Stay as far to the right as possible. • Use pathways when possible. • Learn and use appropriate hand signals.• Follow the rules of the road as though you were in a

car:• Stop at stop lights, stop signs, and street corners.

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Be Safe: Be Seen

• When riding in low light conditions such as early morning, late evening, or during some weather conditions when visibility is limited it is important to wear the right clothing. • Pick attire that is brightly colored, or retro-reflective. • Ensure that your bike is equipped with retro-reflectors

as well. • Use a headlight to make yourself visible.

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Ride Undistracted

• Riding a bike distracted can be just as dangerous as driving distracted. • Refrain from listening to headphones, talking on the

phone, and being distracted while riding a bike, or while supervising your child who is riding.

• It is important that you are always alert and engaged in your surroundings to be sure that you are aware of all possible dangers and movements of vehicles.

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Bike Safety Tips

• Parents, you are the best model for safe behavior: wear a helmet!

• Ride with your children! It is a great opportunity to spend time together and be physically active. • Riding with your child also ensures that you know what

they are capable of doing on their own, and may help you to better judge when they are able to ride alone.

• Teach your child how to ride a bike safely, away from the road in an area where falls will not be as painful such as a grassy backyard.

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