Bicycle Safety for Kids

Most kids enjoy riding their bike. I would even bet that you have some great memories of riding your bike when you were younger. Bike riding is a lot of fun! It is important that we teach our kids safety when they do ride their bike. This article will go over safety tips and rules that we need to share with our kids to keep them safe on their bike. We want our kids to have fun and we want them to be safe while they are having fun.

A good safety tip that most kids do not like is to wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet can protect them from bike accidents and head injuries. This is one rule that I would stick to even if they do not want to do it. No helmet, no bike.

This next tip may seem like common sense but kids still need to be told. No playing in the road on your bike. I tend to think a lot of kids do this so it is our responsibility, as their parents, to set firm ground rules and stick by them. This also stands true for busy streets. A road is a road whether it is busy or not. It is best to stay off of them.

I know some kids have to cross a road sometimes and if they do stress the importance of stopping and looking all directions before crossing the road. This includes all roads and streets.

Another very important rule is how important it is to obey all traffic signs. Even though they are on bikes they still need to obey traffic laws. Stop at all stop signs and other traffic signs.

When it comes to kids they tend to do what their friends are doing. I urge you to talk to your children about making their own decisions. If they know they are not suppose to be playing on the road and their friends are they need to know the importance of standing up for what is right and obeying the rules. It is hard I know for them to do that sometimes because they don't want to be ridiculed or made fun of. If they obey the rules they will be a good example and perhaps their friends will start obeying the rules too.

Now this may seem a bit obvious, but you would be surprised how often this does not happen! Keeping at least one hand on the handlebars at all times! Some kids are truly talented and can ride a bike with no hands. So, using at least one hand should be the rule. Of course, using both hands is better!

A very important tip is no riding at night. It is just not a good idea any way you look at it. I realize there may be some circumstance where they may need to, but try to avoid night time bike riding at all cost. If they must, be sure they have reflectors on their wheels and wear bright colored clothing. Wearing bright colored clothing is good advice for the daytime too.

These are just some basic rules that I think will help your kids be safe while they are riding their bike. Be firm with the rules. Have set consequences if they are not followed. If they know there will be consequences for their actions they will more likely make wise decisions.