Bicycle Safety for Children

When the sun shines, children are more than likely going to be riding bicycles. Whether they pass time rolling over the sidewalks on their street or hug the curbs of their neighborhood in a pack of friends, children love to ride bicycles. Unfortunately, children are also injured and killed in bicycle accidents each year in the United States. The leading cause of death in bicycle accidents is due to traumatic brain injury and the number one way to prevent traumatic brain injury is to wear a bicycle helmet.  Here are some tips for keeping bike riding safe and fun!

Bicycle Helmets can be Fun

The options for children’s helmets are endless. Children can choose helmets with their favorite movie and television characters, or pick something with vivid colors and designs. Some children’s safety organizations distribute helmets at low to zero cost, check around your community to find help if needed. Remind your child that they must wear the helmet absolutely every time they get on their bicycle. This should never be up for debate with your children, even if they are simply cruising down the driveway. Start at a young age and wearing a helmet will become second nature to your child. Always set a good example by wearing a bicycle helmet yourself.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Certified

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has set standards of safety for bicycle helmets. When purchasing a helmet make sure to look for their sticker of certification on the product. A CPSC sticker ensures your child’s helmet meets all the safety requirements in effect. Another great blog post to read on bicycle safety can be found at Florida brain injury attorney’s website.

A Proper Bicycle Helmet Safety Fitting

Your child’s bicycle helmet should fit snugly on their head. The helmet should never move side-to-side.  Be conscience that the chin strap and buckles are secure. The helmet absorbs the energy of impact, so it is essential to confirm a safe fit for your child.

Family Fun on Bikes Should Teach Road Safety

Children love to bike ride with their family. This is a great opportunity to model safety habits for your child. Everyone should secure helmets before your family adventure begins. Teach your children the rules of the road. Show them how to use common hand signals like left turn, stop, and right turn.  Model how to look and listen at crosswalks, as well as walking bicycles across major crosswalks. Remind children that anything hanging down, such as backpack straps, can get snarled in the bicycle chain.  Staying alert and paying attention while biking is also an important skill.

Following bicycle safety rules,  observing bicycle road safety tips, and always wearing a bicycle helmet, will greatly reduce the chance of injury in bicycle accidents.

Guest post written by longtime child safety advocate Kevin Poon.