It’s as easy as riding a bike, well, not quite as there are plenty of possible dangers for new riders.
This is why we’ve prioritized bicycle safety to provide a few bike safety rules when you’re out on the road.
Bike safety has become less of a priority over recent years with more people paying no attention to the safety rules of the road.
Here we’ll be taking a look at some of the most important safety tips when you’re learning to ride a bike.
This includes choosing the proper bike for your child, understanding the road rules, and so on.
Pick a Suitable Practice Space
The last thing you want is for your children to learn to ride a bike surrounded by other people. Not only can this make it difficult to keep track of them, but it can also stress them out and increase the risk of falling off their bike.
Suitable practice spaces can include your backyard or suburban street. The local park is also a good idea, especially if they can ride on the grass, which will soften the blow if they fall off. However, even these places could be dangerous if they get too busy. Even if you take measures to avoid injury for your child, accidents can happen. Because of this, it’s worth having contacts like Dennis Hernandez who can help you and your child find appropriate compensation should a collision or accident occur while your child is learning to ride a bike.
Choosing a Suitable Bicycle for Your Child
A bike is no longer just a bike as there are plenty of classes such as mountain bikes, BMX’s, high-performance track bikes, cruisers, and so on.
Using bikes with optimum body height is important for safe cycling.
A large bike in the hands of a toddler can be dangerous as they won’t have any control of it on top of being inexperienced bike riders.
Consider a bike with training wheels if your child wants to learn on their own.
Avoid buying bicycles or helmets that are too big for children who want a chance to ‘get in’. Stand your child with their feet on a peddles.
For a lightweight or medium bicycle, there will be a gap between the child’s chest and his crossbar. For BMX/ Mountain Bikes there should be a minimum of 5cm between the child’s crotch and bicycle stoop.
It’s usually best to stick to children’s bikes while they’re smaller. Choosing a bicycle helmet is easier as it’s a matter of trying it on.
The Rules of the Road
Learning to be safe early is crucial for cycling safety. If an inexperienced rider doesn’t understand how to read and speak with hand signals, it should be taught immediately.
This is a simple language that serves to inform drivers about bicycle travel. Hand signals include, left turn – left arm out straight, right turn – left hand bent up at the elbow, right hand out straight – stopping.
Make an honest judgement to decide if you want to go riding on the roads with your kid.
You should avoid riding down one-way streets that have oncoming traffic. This could spell disaster and it’s generally not a very clever thing to do.
Instead, follow the flow of traffic while maintaining a safe distance from vehicles.
Tips for bicycle safety
Ensure the bicycle is a good fit for the child as this will make it easier for them to learn and grow confident at controlling it.
A bike that’s too big increases the likelihood of sustaining an injury. A basic rule of thumb to ensure that it’s the right size is that the child’s feet should touch the ground while sitting in position.
The bike should be suitable for a child.
Avoid buying a child’s bike that has a complex set of gears or anything alike, it also doesn’t need to be expensive as it would likely take some damage during a fall.
For example gearing or shifting could be difficult for kids. Start your children at the fastest rate then work up. Keep bicycles clean and perform frequent inspections.
Inspections include checking tire pressure, damage to the bike, the brakes work, ensuring that the bike chain is well-lubricated and that the bicycle seat is secure.
Another important safety tip to consider is the attire you or your child is wearing when riding a bike.
Lose flowing fabric from trousers or dresses can easily be caught in the chain and this could result in an injury.
There are brands that offer active kids wear and this could be a good investment if you’re looking to maximize child safety.
Why is Bicycle Safety Important for Children?
Youngsters love riding bikes often when they’re new to them, this is especially true when it’s the bike that they’ve wanted as they would want to show it off to their friends.
This new skill provides them with a chance to explore which is good, but it can be incredibly dangerous especially if you live near a wooded area.
In the United States, about one million children are injured by bicycle accidents each day.
To ensure safety when riding bikes it must be taught to children from an early age.
Riding bikes together can be frightening. Knowing these safety guidelines as a child will allow them to become confident cyclists.
Bike riding is a great pastime and it’s a wonderful way for the family to get some regular exercise.
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