Cycling is a great way for kids to get exercise and learn how to care for their bicycles. There are several ways for kids stay safe while bike riding and keep their bikes in excellent condition.

Wear a Helmet

A helmet can protect your child’s head during an accident and in many cases prevent serous injuries and death. Finding a proper fitting helmet can be tricky and may take some patience. Helmets should fit snuggly, cover all areas of the head and stay in place while the child is moving.

Annually, of the 515,000 bicyclists who endure some sort of injury, an estimated 26,000 of them are children or adolescents who end up with traumatic brain injuries. A study conducted in 2012 revealed that only about half of children who ride bikes actually wear helmets despite state laws and injury prevention. Even if your child is just pedaling around the cul-de-sac or off-road in a local park, helmets are necessary.

Some helmet options:

• Razor makes a highly-rated helmet for children five to eight or with heads sized 21.5 inches to 22 inches. It costs around $11 and comes in black, yellow, purple, pink and blue.
• Obsidian Cycling makes a helmet that comes in small, medium and large sizes fitting heads from 54cm to 62 cm. This helmet works for adolescents and costs around $63.
  

Check the Brakes

Each time before your child rides a bike, check her tires.

• Tires should feel firm and not have any holes in them that allow air to escape.
• Listen for a hissing sound as your child walks her bike. This indicates a hole or slit in the tire that needs to be patched or replaced before riding.
• If there are no holes, but the tires feel flat, use a pump to add some air into the tires until they are firm again.
• Have your child test ride the bike to make sure the air pressure feels good when they are going straight as well as making turns.

Riding a bike with flat tires is bad for the bike and puts your child more at risk for falling. If you have an older child who will be bike riding with friends or alone, have her carry a patch kit just in case.

Level the Seat

Riding a bike with a properly fitted seat allows for a smoother, safer ride.

• If your child’s bike uses backpedaling for braking, they need to reach the pedals with ease.
• With your child’s feet on the pedals, have him move one pedal all the way down so his leg is extended. If your child cannot get to the bottom of the pedal stroke, the bike seat is too tall and needs to be lowered.
• If your child can easily press down on the pedal until it is at the bottom, but his legs are overly bent and feel uncomfortable, then the seat is too low and needs to be raised.
• Your child should also be able to put one or both feet down while still remaining in his bike seat.
• As your child grows, you will need to re-adjust the seat accordingly. Check with your child about his comfort each time he gets on his bike.

Be Cautious at Night

If your child is riding her bike at night, be sure it is in a well-lit area with little to no traffic.

• Have your child wear light-reflective clothing or tape.
• Turn on bike lights and headlights or helmet lights.
• Accompany your child at night since drivers may not always be paying attention to cyclists.

Bike Lights

Consider the following quality bike lights.

• Ascher makes a rechargeable bike light that costs around $17 and is water resistant.
• BV Bicycle makes a headlight and taillight that costs around $10 and are weather resistant.
  

Reflective Gear

Add reflection to your child at night with the following options.

• Kingso reflective tape costs around $7 and can be worn on clothing or stuck onto your child’s bike.
• Attmu sells a pack of four visibility wristbands that costs around $9.

Check Your Chain

Just like the brakes, the bike chain will endure wear over time.

Read more at:  https://safety.lovetoknow.com/household-safety-tips/bicycle-safety-rules-kids