RULES OF THE ROAD

Buying a bicycle helmet is one of the most important steps parents can take to keep children who ride bicycles safe.

Bicycle Safety Helmets are the single most effective safety device available that will help protect children from head injuries, the leading cause of injury-related deaths in bicycle crashes among children.

Helmets always should be worn. Make certain helmets are approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Any helmet meeting these standards will have a label on the inside.

A helmet designed for another sport, such as football, may not protect a child in a bicycle accident.

Start the helmet habit early by insisting that your child wear a helmet as soon as he or she starts to ride a tricycle. If your child does not want to wear a helmet, point out that athletes wear helmets for their protection. It also may be helpful if your child decorates the helmet with stickers or is involved in selecting the helmet.

Below are some steps you can take to protect children from bicycle injuries:

A helmet should fit snugly on the head just above the eyebrows, covering the top of the forehead. It should not move around on the head, slide down over the wearer’s eyes or slide back to expose the forehead. The chin strap should fit snugly.
Helmets sized for infants are available, but the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that babies younger than 1 year old travel on bicycles because they have a relatively weak neck structure.
Children cannot control a bicycle that is too large. A child must be able to straddle the bicycle and stand with both feet flat on the ground.
Check the bicycle regularly to be sure it is in good condition with working brakes and good tire pressure.
Younger children may need to ride a bicycle with training wheels.
A child must be able to stop the bicycle by using the brakes.
By riding a bicycle with your child, you can teach him or her to ride safely and obey the rules. Whenever you ride your bicycle, put on your helmet. Your child will learn best from your example.
Teach your child the proper hand signals for left turns, right turns and stopping. Make certain he or she understands and observes all traffic signals and signs.
Experts recommend that children ride on sidewalks until they are at least 10 years old. Check with your community to determine whether local ordinances prohibit or restrict the use of bicycles on sidewalks.
Teach children to look left, right and left again before riding into traffic from a sidewalk, driveway or parking lot.
When riding on the street, children should travel in a straight line near the curb, and be alert for car doors opening into traffic lanes.
Most fatal accidents occur at dusk and at night. Children should not ride a bicycle at dusk or at night. If a child still is outside when it turns dark, the bicycle light must be turned on and your child should be wearing light-colored clothing. Make certain the bicycle has safety reflectors.
All bicycles should have reflectors on the front, rear and wheel spokes.
Be consistent about your family’s safety rules.
Encourage your child’s friends to wear helmets. Talk to the parents of your child’s friends. Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if your child’s friends get the same safety messages that your child does.