Bike Safety. Pick bright colors or fluorescent colors that are visible to drivers and other cyclists.

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1 KidsHealth.rg The mst-visited site devted t children's health and develpment Bike Safety Bike riding is a great way t get exercise and fresh air and share time as a family. But befre yu and the kids rush ut and start pedaling, there's an imprtant factr that yu need t cnsider safety. Helmet Basics Bicycle helmet use shuld nt be ptinal fr anyne in yur family, n matter where yu are r hw shrt the ride. In many states it's the law. Here's why: Many bike accidents invlve a head injury, s a crash culd mean permanent brain damage r death fr smene wh desn't wear ne while riding. In fact, each year in the United States, abut half a millin kids are seriusly injured in bicycle-related accidents, and mst f thse injuries culd have been avided if a helmet was wrn. T prtect against brain injury, make sure yur kids wear a crrectly fitting helmet n every ride. Here are sme things t keep in mind when buying a helmet: Pick bright clrs r flurescent clrs that are visible t drivers and ther cyclists. Lk fr a helmet that's well ventilated. Make sure that the helmet has a CPSC r Snell sticker inside. These indicate that the helmet meets standards set by the Cnsumer Prduct Safety Cmmissin (CPSC) r the Snell Memrial Fundatin, a nnprfit grup that tests helmet safety. Make sure yur child's helmet fits crrectly and can be adjusted.

2 Yu shuld be able t get help finding a well-fitting helmet and adjusting it prperly at any bicycle stre. When kids wear a helmet, make sure that the straps are fastened. Als make sure they dn't wear any ther hat underneath it. Be sure t replace any helmet made befre If yur child hits any surface hard while wearing a helmet, replace it helmets lse their capacity t absrb shck after taking serius hits. A few bike helmets can be used as prtectin fr ther activities, but in general, they're best suited t biking. Mst helmets are made fr ne specific type f activity fr example, special helmets als are made fr inline skating, baseball, and snwmbiling. Kids shuld nt wear any helmet when they're n a playgrund r climbing a tree there is a risk f strangulatin frm the chin strap during these types f activities. Safe Clthing What kids wear when riding a bike is als very imprtant fr safety: Flurescent r bright-clred clthes will help kids be visible n the rad, and they re mre visible than white clthes. (Avid dark clthes, especially during early dusk and twilight hurs.) Wear smething that helps t reflect light like reflective tape.

3 Lightweight clthes will help them avid becming verheated. Pant legs shuldn't be t lse-fitting r flared. These can get caught up in the chain while riding. If yur child wears a backpack while riding, make sure the straps are tied up and can't get tangled in the spkes f the wheels. Keep the backpack as light as pssible. Chse shes that grip the bike's pedals. Cleats, shes with heels, r flip-flps can all create prblems while riding. Kids shuld never ride bareft! Rules f the Rad fr Bike Riding Here are sme must-knw safety tips t teach kids: Stp at all stp signs and bey traffic lights just as cars d. Yield t pedestrians, stp at red lights, and be especially careful at intersectins. Always ride in the same directin as cars d. Never ride against traffic. Older kids shuld try t use bike lanes r designated bike rutes whenever yu can nt the sidewalk! Kids less than 10 years shuld ride n the sidewalk. Never ride at dusk r in the dark. Always stp and check fr traffic in bth directins when leaving a driveway, an alley, r a curb. Watch traffic clsely fr turning cars r cars leaving driveways. Dn't ride t clse t parked cars drs can pen suddenly. Always walk a bike acrss busy intersectins using the crsswalk and fllwing traffic signals. When riding in a grup, always ride single file n the street. When passing ther bikers r peple n the street, always pass t their left and call ut "On yur left!" s they'll watch fr yu. Never share the seat with a friend r ride n the handlebars nly ne persn shuld be n a

4 bike at a time. It's easy t lse balance r suddenly swerve int traffic when riding with a passenger. Never wear headphnes while biking it's essential t hear everyne else n the rad at all times. Never stand up while riding a bike. Never hitch a ride n a mving vehicle. Never change directins r lanes withut first lking behind yu, and always use the crrect hand signals. Use yur left arm fr all hand signals: Left turn: After checking behind yu, hld yur arm straight ut t the left and ride frward slwly. Stp: After checking behind yu, bend yur elbw, pinting yur arm dwnward in an upside dwn "L" shape and cme t a stp. Right turn: After checking behind yu, bend yur elbw, hlding yur arm up in an "L" shape, and ride frward slwly. Or, hld yur right arm straight ut frm yur side. Left turn Stp

5 Right turn Right turn alternative Bike Maintenance Check yur child's bike at least nce each seasn t keep it safe and well-maintained. Be sure t check: tires inflate t the pressure that's recmmended n the sidewall f the tire chain il it regularly and remve dirt handlebars adjust fr height as yur child grws and tighten all blts brakes check fr frayed cables and replace wrn-ut brake pads seat keep the seat level and adjust fr height as needed Making Safety a Family Affair One f the best ways t help kids learn safe bike riding is t set a gd example by fllwing the rules f the rad yurself. Mst imprtant, always wear yur helmet. G fr bike rides with yur kids s yu can shw them what safe riding lks like. It's als a great way t stay active as a family and get valuable tgether time that yu'll all enjy! Reviewed by: Steven Dwshen, MD Date reviewed: February 2014