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- Buy your child an approved bike helmet. Packaging should indicate the helmet meets the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standard.
- Let your child help pick out the helmet, because it must be worn every time he/she rides. If
you're a rider, buy one for yourself, too, and set a good example by wearing it. Also encourage
your child's friends to wear helmets.
- Make certain your child's bike is the correct size, has reflectors, and is safely maintained.
Children under age nine should not ride their bikes in the street. They are typically not able to
quickly identify and adjust to traffic situations.
- Teach your child to always stop and look left-right-left before entering the road.
- If a bicyclist rides in the road, the cyclist must obey traffic laws that apply to motor vehicle
operators. Teach your child the bicycle rules of the road. Driver licensing agencies and highway
departments are good sources for booklets that explain bicycle safety rules. Enroll your child in a
bike safety education program if one is available in your community.
- Never allow your child to ride at night or with headphones. Stress the need to ride alert since
most drivers do not see riders. Bicyclists should ride single file on the right side and signal their
intentions to other road users.
Related Sites
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How Parents Can Help Prevent Bike Injuries