Safe Bicycling
Starts Early

When a child receives his or her first bicycle, a lifelong pattern of vehicle operation is begun. A bike is not just a toy, but a vehicle that is a speedy means of transportation, subject to the same laws as motor vehicles.

Training Children in Proper Use of Their Bicycles

1. Parents should set limits on where children may ride, depending on their age and maturity. Most serious injuries occur when the bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle.

a. Under age 8, children should ride only with adult supervision and off the street.

b. The decision to allow older children to ride in the street should depend on traffic patterns, individual maturity, and an adequate knowledge and ability to follow the "Rules of the Road."

2. Children must be provided with helmets (approved by ANSI or Snell) and taught to wear them on every ride, starting when they get their first bike.

3. The most important "Rules of the Road" for them to learn are:

a. Ride with traffic.

b. Stop and look both ways before entering the street.

c. Stop at all intersections, marked and unmarked.

d. Before turning, use hand signals and look all ways.

4. Children should be taught never to ride at dusk or in the dark. This is extremely risky, even for adults. Your child should be told to call home for a ride.

5. Children who ignore safety rules should be disciplined appropriately, such as by temporarily denying them the use of the bike, to establish the significance of the misbehavior.

6. Children should learn how to keep their bikes in good repair, with parents checking the tires, brakes, and seat and handlebar height annually.

The information in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on the individual facts and circumstances.

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Dear Parent: Your child is old enough to learn how to prevent accidents. The games below are designed to help your child think about safety. Print these pages. Read the messages with your child and talk about them together. Then take post this Safety Sheet at home where everyone can see it.

It takes time to form a safety habit. Remind each other what it says. Make Safety a big part of your lives.

		Get the Helmet Habit! Directions: Break the code to read this message. On each line, write the alphabet letter that comes before the one above that line (the first two have been done for you).

DIRECTIONS: Circle the signs that belong to "Rules of the Road."
Be a smart and safe rider. Learn the "Rules of the Road."

DIRECTIONS: Use the code key to read this message
(the first letter has been done for you.)

NEVER RIDE AT NIGHT
Always put your bike away when the sun goes down.