Safe Kids

Bike safety

Did you know?

• The law says bikes are not toys.
• Bikes are vehicles, just like cars and trucks.
• You are a "driver" when you ride in the street.
• Each year, thousands of children are seriously injured from bike, skates, and skateboard falls and crashes that could have been prevented.

Rules for safe biking

• Restrict cycling to sidewalks, paths and driveways until children show how well they can ride and observe basic rules of the road (usually around age 9).
• STOP before riding out into traffic from a driveway, sidewalk, alley, or parking lot. LOOK left, right, and left again. When there's no traffic, ENTER roadway.
• RIDE on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic.
• OBEY stop signs and red lights. Children should walk, not ride, through busy intersections.
• LOOK BACK and YIELD to traffic coming from behind before turning left at intersections.

Wear a helmet

• Bicycling, in-line skating, roller skating, and skateboarding is fun, but you could fall and hurt your head.
• Your head is important. It houses your brain, which tells all the other parts of your body what to do. It's what makes you special.
• Brains don't heal like cuts or broken bones. That's why football players, horseback riders, and construction workers wear helmets.
• Wear a helmet every time you ride your bike, roller skate, roller blade or skateboard.

Set a good example for others

• Children might think helmets are not "cool," and adults might think they cost too much. In reality, helmets can save a child from a serious head injury in a fall or collision. Remember, children copy adults. If you ride, wear a helmet! Set a SAFE example.
• Helmets should fit comfortably and not move around on the head. Only buy helmets that are SNELL and/or ANSI approved.
• TIP: Get your child into the habit of ALWAYS wearing a helmet when cycling, skateboarding, roller skating, or in-line skating (or during any activity warranting the use of a helmet).

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