Cycling offers children an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, as well as develop a lifelong interest in healthy activity. Bicycling contributes to youth muscle development, hand-eye coordination and building of stamina. SafeKids estimates that nearly 70 percent of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles. This activity also contributes to childhood injuries. To protect young riders, a series of bicycle laws for kids is on the books throughout the U.S.
Helmet Law
Helmet laws are the most significant body of legislation for protecting young riders. Of the 300,000 kids sent to the emergency room each year due to bike accidents, the most serious injuries leading to death are those to the head, according to the KidsHealth website. Helmets are required in most urban communities, but enforcement is frequently left to parents.
Crosswalk Laws
Crosswalks pose a special concern for child cyclists. The laws require riders to dismount the cycle if walking between the crosswalk markings. If the bike is traveling on the street as a motor vehicle, the rider must not enter the crosswalk as a pedestrian. If the child rider wishes to convert to a pedestrian, he or she must dismount and walk the bicycle through the crosswalk. Vehicles must then stop to allow safe passage across the street.
Signage and Light Laws
Cyclists on roads shared with motor vehicles must obey the rules of the road, following all signals and traffic controls. Laws also mandate using hand signals and following markings on the pavement. Riders must ride with, not against, traffic at all times. Cyclists on sidewalks must follow the rules of pedestrians but must also yield the right-of-way to other pedestrians on the sidewalk. In many states, bikes must be equipped with a bell or horn to notify pedestrians when the biker is planning to pass them on a sidewalk.
Reflector Laws
Legal bicycle equipment includes reflectors, which allow drivers to see the cyclists in twilight and in early dawn when car headlights reflect off the devices. Most municipalities require the use of a light when riding after dark. While not required, kids' clothing or backpacks that incorporate reflectors are a solid investment for children required to ride a bike in traffic. Front, side and rear lights are also recommended by the NSKC during nighttime riding or daylight hours of reduced light. Most states specify the type of light required. Florida, for instance, requires "...a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear."
Sidewalk Laws
While not recognized uniformly throughout the U.S., the NSKC suggestion regarding sidewalk cycling is law in numerous communities with significant mileage of paved sidewalks and paved or gravel paths. The NSKC recommends restricting children to public sidewalks and paths until the age of 10. At that point, the child is skilled in bicycle riding and able to understand simple regulations and signage. After that age, bicyclists are encouraged to use bike lanes on public highways and allow younger riders to use the community sidewalks without interference from older cyclists.
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