In general, the same rules apply to kids bicycling and to adults bicycling. Both ages of cyclists must adhere to the rules of the road and ride safely and as predictably as they can. The bike rules for kids form the foundation for more challenging road or trail riding as kids grow up. But kids need additional rules. For example, while it is inadvisable for most bicyclists to ride on the sidewalk because of their speed, it is the safest place for young children.
Pre-Ride Safety Check
Before setting off on any ride, kids and/or their parents should check that the brakes work and are properly adjusted and that the tires are inflated at least to their minimum recommended pressure. Make sure the pedals and cranks rotate easily too.
Riding in the Street
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children younger than 10 years old should not ride in the street. NHTSA says kids that young are not mature enough to make the sorts of decisions that road users must make to be safe. In contrast, the late bicycling writer Ken Kifer said children ages 6 and 11 should be allowed to ride on residential streets and given gradually increasing responsibility and freedom to roam. Consider your child's maturity level and the traffic level of the streets adjacent to your home when deciding whether to allow your child to ride on the street. Note that some jurisdictions limit or prohibit bicycle riding on the sidewalk.
Helmets
NHTSA recommends all children wear helmets while riding their bicycles. Helmets should fit snugly and not be bought in a larger size for the child to grow into. A loose helmet is an ineffective helmet. The helmet should sit no more than one or two finger widths above the child's eyebrows. Be aware that some jurisdictions also have laws requiring children to wear helmets.
Visibility
Kids younger than 9 should never ride at night by themselves, says Child Safety Australia. If kids ride at night with their parents, their bikes should have headlights and taillights, even if they only ride on the sidewalk. Driveway entrances and street crossings are the most dangerous parts of sidewalk riding. Kids should wear reflective or brightly colored clothes, day or night, because their small size and their quickness on a bicycle make them harder to see or predict for car drivers and other road and sidewalk users.
Signals and Bells
Teach kids the basic hand signals at a young age. Left arm held straight out means left turn and held straight out with the forearm pointing up means right turn. Kids' bikes should also have a bell or horn to alert people they approach on the sidewalk or in the street.
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