A bicycle serves as the first mode of transportation for many children. While it doesn't have an engine, a bicycle is more of a vehicle than a toy. The entertainment value of riding bikes sometimes overshadows the potential dangers of whizzing down the street on two wheels. Bike safety instruction makes children more aware of the potential risks and how to reduce the chances of serious injury, including head injuries and broken bones. Teach your child bicycle safety before she pedals a bike for the first time.
Step 1
Take your child to the store to purchase a bike helmet, one of the most important aspects of bike safety. Letting him choose his own helmet makes him more likely to wear it willingly. It also allows you to purchase a bike helmet that fits properly.
Step 2
Inspect your child's bike with her helping you. Show her how to check the tires, chain and other parts of the bike each time she gets ready to ride to make sure it is in working order. Teach her to test her brakes at a slow speed at home before hitting the road on a bike.
Step 3
Practice with your child in the driveway, on sidewalks or at a park with a large, flat area. Teach him to keep both hands on the handlebars to maintain proper control of the bike.
Step 4
Make your own traffic signs, such as stop signs, from cardboard. Place them where your sidewalk and driveway intersect to create a mock road situation. Use sidewalk chalk or cones to create a road in the driveway. Have your child practice obeying the traffic signs and riding on the pretend road while following traffic rules.
Step 5
Ask your child to practice using hand signals as she rides her bike.
Step 6
Take a family bike ride around the neighborhood, with one adult at the front of the group as a model and one at the back. The adult in the back of the group observes the child to make sure he is following safety precautions. This gives the child a real-world chance to practice while staying in a controlled environment.
Step 7
Set rules and boundaries for bike riding. Require your child to ride her bike within a certain area that you consider safe for her biking ability level. Don't allow your child to ride after dark, which presents a safety hazard. Require a helmet and a bike safety inspection each time she rides her bike.
Things You'll Need
- Bike
- Helmet
- Cardboard
- Cones
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