Teaching kids road biking safety is essential for nurturing their independence while better ensuring that they remain safe on the streets. As any adult bicyclist understands, navigating roads alongside vehicles poses serious safety risks. But these risks aren’t always so obvious to kids.
Before hitting the road, make sure that kids are comfortable with the basics of biking. This includes starting, stopping, turning and using hand signals. Practicing these skills in a safe, traffic-free area will build their confidence and control over their bike.
Next steps
Once kids understand the basics of safe bike operation, they’ll need to learn the importance of wearing a helmet and other safety gear. Let them know that helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of a fall or collision. Teach kids to wear a helmet every time they ride, ensuring that it fits properly and is securely fastened. Additionally, knee and elbow pads can provide extra protection, especially for beginners.
Once kids are outfitted to ride, they’ll need to understand the rules that apply to them when they’re on the road. This includes obeying traffic signals and signs, riding in the same direction as traffic and yielding to pedestrians. Teaching them to stay alert and make eye contact with drivers can also help in making safe crossings and turns.
Additionally, just as teens must be taught to avoid driving while distracted, children need to be taught that biking while distracted can lead to dangerous situations. Teach kids the importance of staying focused on the road and their surroundings. This means no texting, listening to music with headphones or anything else that could divert their attention from the potential dangers of road travel.
Finally, you’ll want to instill a sense of defensive biking in children. This means always being aware of their surroundings, anticipating the actions of others and being prepared to react safely. Encourage them to assume that drivers might not see them and to be cautious at intersections and driveways.
By teaching them that roads can be dangerous places, they’ll better understand why they have to be careful when riding. That can’t guarantee, however, that they won’t be hurt by a reckless or negligent driver. If that’s what you’re dealing with now, it’s crucial to know your rights to justice and compensation.
