Celebrating Children

Checklist: Bike Safety
Tips for beginners- 2-5 year olds

Deciding on the correct bicycle

Make sure your child's bike is the correct size. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child's bike is the incorrect size it will be difficult for your child to control, posing a safety hazard. Consider visiting a bike shop to have an expert help determine the correct size for your child. Do not buy a bike that your child will "grow into." Purchase a bike that fits your child properly at the time of purchase. You will be able to adjust the seat as your child grows.

	Have your child stand over the crossbar with both hands on the handlebars. If the bike fits, there will be a 2" clearance between crotch and the crossbar.
	The bike seat should be adjusted so that after sitting on the seat with a foot on the bike pedal; your child's knee will be slightly bent.

Pedals. Avoid slippery plastic pedals; instead, look for rubber-treated pedals or metal pedals with serrated edges.

Brakes. Coaster brakes are recommended for the younger or less-experienced rider. Once the child is ready for a bike with hand brakes, make sure the child can comfortably grasp the brakes and apply sufficient pressure to stop the bike.

Consult the Bicycle Manual. Do not throw away the bicycle manual. It contains important safety information as well as essential information on the bike's features and its care and maintenance.

Before riding

Thoroughly check the bike before riding.

	Tighten your bike's seat, handlebars, and wheels. Make sure the wheels are straight.
	Check and oil the chain regularly.
	Check the brakes to make sure they are working properly and do not stick.
	Check the tires to make sure they have enough air and the correct tire pressure.
	Consider a bike tune up. At least once a year, consider taking your child's bike to a bike shop for a "tune up."

Teach your child the rules of the road. Even if you will be riding with your child, make sure he or she understands the rules of the road and common courtesy.

Obey all traffic signs and signals.

Stop and look when crossing driveways and alleys.

Give pedestrians the right-of-way.

Ride with traffic, no against it.

Ride single file

Bike Safety School. Check with your local school or police station to see if they offer a bike safety class of children. Many schools and police forces band together and offer bike rodeo programs to reinforce traffic rules. Children bring their bikes to school or visit a safety village where bikes are provided. In-class instruction is followed by outside practice to test the rules learned.

Review with your child the rules of the road each year. Particularly if you live in a climate where you can only ride bikes for part of the year, upon the beginning of bike season, make sure your child has not forgotten bike safety rules.

Essential gear

	Find a helmet. Set a good example for your child by wearing a helmet each time you ride your bike. Helmets are essential safety gear for bike riders of all ages. However, the helmet must be the correct size and worn properly. Visit a bike shop first and get the proper size for your child. Bicycle helmets should have a snug but comfortable fit. The helmet should have a a chin strap and buckle that will stay fastened securely. Helmets should be worn flat atop the head, not tilted back at an angle, and should never obscure the rider's field of vision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the purchase of helmets approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which assure that the helmets meet safety standards
	Training Wheels. Training wheels are best suited for children age 2-5. Training wheels help build a child's confidence. These bikes, which come with either 12- or 16-inch wheels, will teach your child to balance. Experts suggest starting with the training wheels in the lowest position and then gradually raising them one-quarter of an inch until there is a bit of a wobble. This allows the child to easily transition to two wheels.
	Reflectors. To make sure motorists can see your child, use reflectors on his or her bike. Put a red reflector behind the seat. There should also be a white reflector in front of the handlebars, and other reflectors in the spokes of both wheels.
	Bell. Every bike should also have a bell. A bell notifies pedestrians as well as other bikers that someone is behind them.
	Proper clothing. Dress your child in bright-colored clothing to help drivers see her.

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