Bicycle safety for kids

Warm weather is coming up, with all the wonderful promise of sunny days spent playing outdoors...

... building sand castles at the beach and getting outside to enjoy the magical freedom of bicycle riding.

While everyone can agree that bikes and kids go together like peas and carrots ...

... as Forrest Gump would say, it’s vitally important that kids of all ages learn and adhere to basic cycling safety rules.

Injuries incurred while riding a

bike account for more injuries in

youngsters between five and 15

than any other sport.

Don’t let your child be a statistic;

teach him the rules of the road

and have a safe, fun-filled summer.

Always Wear a Helmet

Always Wear

a Helmet

Always Wear a Helmet

Not even the shortest little

cruise around the driveway

should taken without a

properly fitting bike helmet.

Always Wear a Helmet

You can buy them at

discount stores, sports

outlets or bike shops;

however, at a cycling shop

you’re more likely to get

some help with proper fit.

Always Wear a Helmet

If a helmet’s too tight, your

child may just sling it over

the handle bars once you’re

out of sight, and if it’s too

loose, it won’t provide

proper protection.

Light It Up

Lights and reflective gear are

another important part of bike

safety, especially at the dangerous

times of like dusk and after dark.

Bikes should be equipped with

reflectors and both white front and

red rear lights. Estimated to reduce

the risk of being hit by a car by

roughly 85 percent, reflectors are

cheap and easy to install.

A pulsating rear light is a great

safety feature, as it’s immediately

visible to cars approaching from

the rear. A headlamp will help your

child avoid obstacles; even a tiny

bump can unseat a rider.

See and be Seen

Even if your child’s bike is

properly equipped with lights and

reflectors, bike clothing itself

should be highly visible.

Contrary to popular wisdom,

white hasn’t been found to make a

rider more visible; bright, neon or

fluorescent colors are much better

options whether riding in

daylight or darkness.

Clothing should also have light

reflecting components like

reflective markings, tape or even

flashing lights.

Make Adjustments

Make sure your child’s bike is property adjusted to height

and arm length.

Have your youngster stand over the bike; there should be

one to two inches between child and top bar on a road bike

and three to four inches on a mountain bike.

Seat should be level and the knee should be slightly bent

when the leg is extended, and the handlebars should be at

the same level as the bike seat.

Tune It Up

Especially before the first ride of

the year, make a safety check of

your child’s bike, or teach him

how to do so.

It’s a great idea to take the bike

into your local bike shop for a

spring-time tune-up; mechanics

will make sure everything’s in

working order ...

... so there won’t be any unpleasant

surprises on that first trip down

the hill to the playground. Make

sure tires are properly inflated and

brakes are working.

Take a Class

As spring approaches, many police

departments, fire districts, schools

and community centers conduct

bike safety classes, so keep an eye

on the local papers for a class in

your neighborhood.

Most are held in spring, so you can

squeeze it in before your youngster

heads off to day camps.

Kids bring their own bikes and

instructors go over rules of the

road and other safety guidelines.

Always Wear a Helmet

Follow the

Rules of

the Road

Always Wear a Helmet

Kids should know to ride in

the same direction as other

vehicles, following the flow

of traffic, and obey all traffic

roads, including traffic signs

and signals.

Always Wear a Helmet

At least one hand should be

on the handlebars at all

times. Teach your youngster

to use signals, look before

turning and watch for

parked cars.

Happy cycling!

Maplewood Country Day Camp & Enrichment Center in Easton Ma is a fun and exciting place for preschool to 9th grade kids.

Their mission is to create a warm, welcoming, creative environment year ‘round that makes everyone feel like family.

With caring counselors and specialists, children are guided as they take on new challenges in every step of the way.

www.maplewoodyearround.com

150 Foundry St. (Route 106)

PO Box 88 (Mailing)

South Easton, MA 02375

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (508) 238-2387

FAX: (508) 238-1154