By the time most children reach third grade, they have developed the coordination required to really enjoy biking. Before your child heads out for her first solo ride, she needs to know how to ride safely. Make sure she can identify safe places to ride her bike and how to use hand signals to indicate turns, stops, and the like. Providing your child with a basic bicycle safety course will insure that she will enjoy biking for years to come.
Choosing the right bike
To determine the right-sized bike for your child, have her straddle the bike. There should be 1 to 2 inches between her and the top tube (bar) if using a road bike and 3 to 4 inches if a mountain bicycle. Make sure the seat is level and adjusted to a height allowing a slight bend at the knee when the leg is extended fully. The center of the handlebars should be even with the seat.
Helmet safety
Choose a helmet rated as safe by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. There are hard-shell and soft-shell helmets available that meet safety standards, so choose the type that your child finds most comfortable to increase the likelihood that she will wear it. Place the helmet squarely on your child's head, so it covers the top of her forehead. Don't let the helmet tip backward, or it won't protect her forehead. The helmet shouldn't move around when pushed or pulled. Adjusted the chin strap so it fits snugly enough to keep the helmet in position.
Before the ride
Make sure your child wears light or bright colored clothing to increase her visibility to drivers. Before heading out, your child should check her brakes. If they don't stop the bike quickly, adjust them for her. Check the tires for proper inflation and the seat and handlebars for proper adjustment. Make sure her helmet is adjusted correctly and she isn't wearing clothing likely to become tangled in the bike chain.
On the road
Don't allow your child to ride her bike at dusk or at night unless accompanied by a responsible adult. Your child should be alert, watching for any obstacles in her path. She should always ride on the right side of the road in a straight, predictable path. If more than one child is riding, have them ride in single file. Remind her that a bicycle is considered a vehicle and must follow all traffic signs and signaling all turns. Refer to your state's driver's education handbook for complete instructions for your area.
Member Comments