Bike Safety Tips

Ensure Proper Bike Fit and Always Wear a Properly Fitting Helmet

Bring your child along when shopping for a bike and buy a bicycle that is the right size for the child, not one he will grow into. When sitting on the seat, the child’s feet should be able to touch the ground. Before using your bicycle, make sure it is ready to ride. Always inspect your bike to make sure all parts are secure and working properly.

See and Be Seen

Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others. Wearing white has not been shown to make you more visible. Rather, always wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.

Control Your Bicycle

• Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Carry books and other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack
• Cycling should be restricted to off-roads (e.g. sidewalks and paths) until age 10
• Adult supervision of child cyclists is essential until you are sure a child has good traffic skills and judgment
• Children should be able to demonstrate riding competence and knowledge of the rules of the road before cycling with traffic. Always model and teach proper behavior. Learn the rules of the road, and obey all traffic laws. Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against. Stay as far to the right as possible. Use appropriate hand signals. Respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stop lights. Stop and look left, right and left again before entering a street or crossing an intersection. Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left

Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards

Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. All these hazards can cause a crash. If you are riding with friends and you are in the lead, yell out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.