Bicycle Safety Tips to Teach Your Kids This Summer

Now that school is out for the summer, there is a chance that your kids will be hitting the roads on their bikes a lot more frequently than they do throughout the school year. Although you might be happy about your kids getting out and being active, however, you might also be worried about their safety. Luckily, teaching them these bicycle safety tips can help you ensure that they stay safe when they’re out on their bikes this summer.

Always Wear Safety Gear

First and foremost, it is important for your kids to wear their proper safety gear. Invest in a properly fitting helmet and elbow and knee pads, and make sure that your kids wear clothing that isn’t too loose and baggy, which could get caught in the chain or in a tire spoke.

Inspect Your Bike

Teach your kids how to inspect their bikes for rust, loose chains, flat tires and other issues. Go over them yourself every now and then to ensure that repairs do not need to be made.

Ride in the Right Places

At first, you may want your children to stay off of the roads, at least until they are a little older. Instead, consider encouraging them to ride their bikes around the neighborhood or on local bike trails.

Let Someone Know Where You’re Going

Teach your kids to let you or another responsible adult know where they will be going on their bikes and about how long they expect to be gone. Then, if you don’t hear from them in a reasonable time frame, you’ll know where to look.

Keep an Eye Out

Make sure that you teach your kids about the importance of watching out for potholes or other imperfections that could cause an accident, other bicyclists, vehicles and pedestrians to help keep themselves and others safe.

Get Off Your Bike at Night

With younger kids, you might prefer that they get off of their bikes before nighttime, when they can be more difficult to see. If your kids do ride their bikes at night, ask them to wear reflective clothing.

Teaching your kids these safety tips can help keep them safer when they hit the roads and bike trails this summer. Also, if you are looking for a bicycle injury attorney, you should know that you can always contact us at the Law Office of Gary Brustin.