During 2009, bicycle sales in the United States reached about 14.9 million units. Of that number, 4.7 million kids’ bikes under 20 inches passed through retailers' doors, according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association. In 2008, more than 10,000 cycling injuries involved elementary-age children, and over 700 bicycle deaths occurred. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 81 of those casualties were children under 14. As the parent of a young cyclist, how can you keep your child safe?
General Safety Rules
Teach your young cyclists to follow traffic and safety laws right from the start. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of severe head injury by up to 88 percent. Many states and localities mandate the use of helmets, but age limits vary. Also ensure that your child uses properly sized equipment that is in good working order, wears high-visibility clothing and avoids nighttime rides.
Young Children
Between kindergarten and third grade, many children acquire enough elementary cycling skills to ride in very light traffic with adult supervision. Your child might learn traffic sign recognition as early as age 5. Until she masters the basics, the safest places for her to ride are sidewalks or other areas without motor traffic, like bike trails, where she can practice checking back for approaching traffic, riding in a straight line on the right side and controlling falls.
Ages 9 to 12
Once your child masters basic cycling rules, he can graduate to more advanced skills. He may already understand the concept of riding with the flow of traffic and possibly can be trusted for solo travel in fairly quiet areas. Instruct him to signal intended turns and ride single-file in groups. Enforcing bike safety with your older child who seeks more independence is a challenge, which makes giving him an early, solid foundation all the more important.
Support for Bike Safety
Private and municipal organizations often provide classes in bike safety and sometimes even helmets to those who can’t afford them. In Ocean Shores, Washington, the police department offers a technique and safety course to fourth graders. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance in Portland, Oregon, goes into schools, bringing bikes, videos and other equipment to train fourth to seventh graders in everything from pre-ride safety checks to repair essentials. Find out what programs are available in your area.
Safer Riding Environments
Initiatives by federal and state governments have made it easier to find safe places to help your child develop her cycling expertise. In 2009, New York City began a two-year project to increase bike and pedestrian lanes throughout Manhattan. The Telegraph recently reported that the Obama administration has also increased the budget for cycling and walking initiatives. Although these projects are geared mainly toward gradually decreasing the number of cars on the road, the side effect is that your child gets a safer cycling environment in the process.
References
- National Bicycle Dealers Association: Industry Overview 2009
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic Safety Facts: 2008 Data
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Buying a Bike Helmet
- "New York Times": New York Bike Path System Expanded Dramatically
- "Telegraph": Obama administration spends $1.2 billion on cycling and walking initiatives
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