How To Teach A Child To Ride A Bike Video

Riding a bike is a rite of passage for almost all children. Learn how to teach a child to ride a bike with expert tips in this parenting video.

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Pick well-fit bike
Check brakes
Provide helmet
Teach road rules

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Karen Macauley is the pediatric trauma program director at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla.

KAREN MACAULEY: Bicycling is a great way to stay healthy, get some exercise, and be in the outdoors, but once again it is important that you do it safely. First, pick the bike that fits you best. The way to do that is to be just straddle over top of the bike and make sure that you can stand with both feet on the ground. Next, you need to make sure that your bicycle is in the right working order. Make sure that both sets of breaks work correctly and that the bike is going to act the way that it should. You do not want the chain falling off when you are trying to ride down the street. Next very very important, you need to get yourself a helmet and you need to get a helmet that fits correctly. The way to know that is you are going to put the helmet on top of your head, straight on, roll your eyes up and see if you can see the top of the helmet. The straps come down in a V around your ears and the bicycle helmet must be connected snuggly underneath your chin. Bicycle helmets are the single best protector for your brain while you are riding on your bicycle. Next, you need to follow the rules of the road. Children under 10 should ride on the sidewalk but be very cautious of driveways as people will be backing out. Once they reach the age of 10, people should ride their bicycles out on the street but it is very important that they remember they are the smallest people on the road and therefore the most at risk. It is important to drive with traffic and following all of the safety rules so that you can be safe. Again, bicycling is a great way to get some exercise, it is just important that you get out there on the road and you do it as safely as possible.

How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike Video

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