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Bike Safety
Riding a bike is a fun way to exercise and get around. However, bike injuries are the most common sports injury treated in the emergency room among children ages 5 to 14. By following a few safety tips, your child can continue having fun and be safe, too!
If your child likes to ride more than just a bike, they should have multiple helmets!
The Facts
Wearing a bike helmet is the most important thing you can do to prevent death or serious injury.
Although wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88%, only 45% of children ages 14 and under wear a helmet.
Children under age 15 are required to wear a helmet
Connor’s Law (Public Act 18-167) requires that all children under age 15 wear a helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, roller skates or rollerblades.
Safety Tips
Keep an eye out!
Most children cannot tell how far away a car is or how fast it is going until they are 10 years old. It is important to supervise your child until you are confident they can safely ride a bike by themselves. Younger children should be supervised and whenever possible stay on sidewalks, bike paths, or in parks.
Teach older children to ride with traffic as far to the right as possible, using the correct hand signals.
Older children can ride with traffic if they are able to demonstrate riding competence and knowledge of the rules of the road.
Children watch the adults in their lives and will copy their behavior.
As a parent or caregiver, you can model good behavior by wearing a helmet and showing children how to safely cross the road. This means teaching them to make eye contact with drivers to ensure drivers are paying attention, and to stop, look left, look right and look left again before crossing the street or entering an intersection.
Make sure you can be seen.
Use lights and reflectors, especially when riding at dusk or when it is dark. Wear reflective clothing to make yourself even more visible. Connecticut state law (CT 248 Sec.14-288) requires bicycles have:
– A white head light visible from at least 500 feet
– A red rear light or reflector visible from 600 feet
– Reflective material visible from both sides of such bicycle at a distance of not less than 600 feet
Helmets
Everyone should wear a helmet whenever they ride anything with wheels, and it’s important to have a properly fitting helmet.
Helmet Types
Bicycle Helmets
Bike helmets are different from other helmets because they’re designed to take extreme force from one impact, as in a collision with a car or major fall. But, once they take a hit, the helmet should always be replaced.
Skateboard Helmets
Skateboard helmets are more versatile than bike helmets because they can be used while riding scooters, roller skates or skateboards. They fit closer to the head and have more coverage down the back of the neck. Skateboard helmets are made to withstand multiple impacts from small falls. They’re not designed to protect against the extreme force of a major bike collision.
ATV Helmets
If you choose to allow your child to ride on an ATV, it is imperative that they wear a helmet specifically designed for that activity. The best ATV helmets have shatterproof, full-face shields and meet the Department of Transportation safety standards. They are designed to withstand multiple hits.
Helmets & Accessories Tips
Dress your child in clothing appropriate for the activity.
Loose fitting clothing that rests near the chains or wheels can get caught and should not be worn. Bright colors or reflective clothes will help the rider be seen.
Use a bike that is the correct size and is in proper working order.
When picking a bike, pick one that has the rider’s feet on the ground when sitting. The bike should be in good working order. Check that the reflectors are secure, the breaks work, the gear shifts smoothly and the tires are properly attached and inflated.
Helmets should meet the safety standards of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Check the inside of the helmet for the CPSC sticker to make sure it’s certified before purchasing.
Letting your child pick the helmet they like (after making sure it fits) they will be more likely to use it.
Do not get a helmet that the child will “grow into”.
Wrist, elbow, and knee pads are important safety measures that will protect the rider from getting hurt when skating or skateboarding.
Helmets Should Fit Well
Use the 2-V-2 rule
- The front of the helmet should rest about 2 finger lengths above the eyebrows.
- The side straps should make a V that goes around the ear leaving the adjustable piece just below the earlobe.
- The chin strap should be just loose enough to fit 2 fingers between the strap and your chin.