Bike safety

 

Bike size

• Only buy a bike that is the right size, not one to grow into.
• To size a bike for younger children, make sure their feet can firmly touch the ground while they are seated.
• To size a bike for older children, make sure their tiptoes can touch the ground while seated.

Riding safely

• Teach children to stop their bikes using brakes instead of dragging their feet.
• Children age 8 years and younger should ride on the right-hand sidewalk until their bicycle riding and traffic skills are developed.
• Stop and look both ways before entering a street from the sidewalk, a driveway or between parked cars. Look left, right and then left again.
• Walk a bicycle across intersections.
• Ride in the right-hand lane of the road, going the same direction as traffic.
• Obey all traffic signals and signs because they apply to bicycles as well as motorized vehicles.

Bike helmets

• For correct helmet fit, follow these guidelines:
• Helmet must be level and low on the forehead, just above the eyebrows.
• Helmet must touch all the way around the head. Use sponge pads to adjust the fit.
• Front and rear straps form a "Y" just below the ears.
• Chinstrap must be snug, allowing only one finger between the strap and chin.