Bicycle Size
- A proper sized bicycle is imperative. A bicycle that is the wrong size could cause your child to lose control and crash.
- Most children will have a bike with training wheels until they are 5-7 years old. Taking training wheels off of your child's bike before they are ready is very dangerous.
- Do not buy a bicycle that your child will "grow into". Buy the size that is the right size for your child at the time.
- On a proper fitting bike your child can do the following:
- Sit on the seat with hands on handle bar and place balls of feet on the ground
- Straddle the center bar with both feet flat on the ground and have 1 inch of clearance between center bar and crotch
- If the bike has hand breaks, your child can apply the brakes with enough pressure to stop the bike
- Helmets must be worn on EVERY bike ride!!
Rules of the Road
It's very important to teach your child the correct rules of the road. The most important ones are the following:
- Ride on the right side with traffic. Riding against traffic confuses drivers and makes it more dangerous of the rider.
- Stop and look both ways before going into the street
- Stop at ALL intersections even if they are not marked
- Teach your child proper hand signals and when to use them
General Bike Safety
- As a parent, you must set limits on where and when children may ride bikes. This includes taking the bike away if a helmet is not worn
- Riding a bike at night is not safe for anyone. Encourage your older child to call home for a ride instead of riding a bike in the dark.