Bike Safety for Children

For many parents, bicycle safety begins and ends at the purchase of a bike helmet for their child. While a bicycle helmet is an important aspect of bike safety, there are many other factors to consider to keep your child safe.

Set goals with your child to prepare them for the freedom, fitness and fun that come along with cycling and ensure that they are safe and ready to respond to potential dangers on the road.

Kids under the age of ten are most likely to be involved in a bicycle accident because they lost concentration or made an error in judgment. They are more likely to run into a curb, mailbox or a parked car.

Dangerous situations on a bike often occur because kids feel compelled to try something reckless due to peer pressure. Talk to your child about the responsibility they have as cyclists. Encourage them to remain aware of their surroundings making a comparison to your own responsibilities behind the wheel of a car.

This is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about leading rather than following and setting a good example for their peers. You can help your son or daughter prepare for challenges on the road by taking a bike ride along with them or walking through the neighborhood together. Put out potential hazards like areas where parked cars might obstruct vision, intersections, long and steep hills and other obstacles your child may have to negotiate. Ask them to explain how they would deal with each situation. Exploring their world with them will show your own commitment to their safety.

Car rides are another opportunity to improve your child's ability to stay safe on the road. It may seem like second nature now, but consider the days before your 16th birthday when you were studying to get your driver's license. It wasn't always easy to know what the symbols, shapes and colors on a traffic sign meant. With the exception of the stop sign, your kids probably don't know what they are supposed to do when they come upon a traffic sign. Take the time to discuss each sign you pass as you drive through the neighborhood. Ask your child what they will do when they encounter the signs while riding their bicycle.

One sure way to prevent accidents on a bicycle is to be sure your child is truly ready to ride independently. A mastery of balance is the most critical skill for young riders, along with the ability to steer and brake efficiently. Observe your child's behavior and skill level on their bike and make sure they are fully competent before they are allowed to ride without supervision.

Perform frequent maintenance checks on your child's bike. A child's bike needs nearly as much attention as an automobile, as kids who ride frequently often put their bicycle through the ringer. Inspect the front and back brakes to make sure they are in good condition. Check the seat and handlebars to be sure they haven't come loose. Inspect the tread, pressure and rotation of both tires. Check the chain for rust and ensure the gears and gear shifter are functioning properly. Finally, require a bike helmet be worn on every ride. Head trauma incidents make up over 60% of bike related deaths involving young cyclists. Kids may hate wearing a helmet, but it should be a firm and non-negotiable policy in every household.

Rob Mabry is a former Army journalist, entrepreneur and owner of Balance Bikes 4 Kids. He is a passionate advocate of balance bikes to teach kids how to ride a bicycle without training wheels. A balance bike has no pedals, chain or sprockets.Kids learn to ride on their own in a way that's natural and puts the focus on the most important element of bike riding - balance.

Mabry believes that kids who learn on a balance bike are better prepared to handle a bicycle safely on the road as they are more confident and skilled riders from a younger age.