Riding a bicycle is a favorite pastime for
many kids and adults. It has a multilayered appeal in that it is as fun as it
is healthy. Kids often enjoy bicycle riding for the adventure and freedom that
it provides, while adults often ride their bikes as a means of transportation,
for fitness, or even competitively. Bicycling, however, isn't without its
risks. People who ride potentially face accidental falls or crashes that can
involve pedestrians, other bicyclists, or even vehicles. The resulting injuries
can range from mild to fatal depending on the severity of the accident. For
that reason, anyone who rides a bike should not only understand that these
risks exist, but they must also learn and adhere to behaviors and laws that
promote bicycle safety. Fortunately, there are many safety tips that can help
reduce the risk of accidents and related injuries.
Buy and
Wear a Helmet
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The use of a helmet is one of the
most important preventative steps one can take to reduce the risk of serious
head injuries.
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Check state bicycle helmet laws.
Although adults are typically not required to wear helmets, many states do have
laws that require children to wear them.
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Only wear helmets that meet the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards.
Choose an
Appropriately Fitted Helmet
●
When buying a helmet, only
purchase one that is new and the appropriate size for the person who will be
wearing it. Keep in mind that sizes may vary from one manufacturer to the next.
●
When fitting a helmet, the rim of
the helmet should sit level on the head and approximately two finger widths
above the eyebrows. Its straps should fit snugly under the ears in a
"V" formation, and when buckled, the chin strap should allow no more
than two fingers beneath it. While trying on the helmet, wearers should open
their mouths as if yawning: The helmet should hug their head, and the buckle
should lie flat. If the helmet rocks back or forward, attempt to re-tighten the
straps. If this does not work, try another size.
●
When selecting a helmet for
children, parents can help reduce their resistance by letting them choose the
style or color.
Use the
Right Helmet for the Activity
●
In addition to bicycling, kids
should wear a helmet during any wheeled activity.
●
When riding a scooter or while
participating in recreational roller-skating or inline skating, kids can and
should wear a bike helmet.
●
While there are no helmet
standards for ice skating, the CPSC suggests wearing a bicycle helmet, which
can provide some level of protection and is preferable to going without a
helmet.
●
Skateboard helmets that are
CPSC-certified should be worn when longboarding or skateboarding.
Get and
Properly Maintain the Right Equipment
●
Before making a purchase, adults
choosing a bike should consider their budget and the purpose of the bike in
addition to ensuring that it's the right fit.
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When buying a bike for children,
bring them along to prevent the wrong bike size from being purchased.
●
To ensure that the bike is not too
large, children should straddle the seat and place both feet flat on the
ground. If they are unable to comfortably do so, the bike may be too tall.
●
Parents should avoid the
temptation to buy a bike that their child will grow into. For safety, only
purchase one that is the right fit for the child's current size.
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Maintenance must be performed
regularly on bicycles.
●
Before every ride, check the
wheels for loose bolts. Check the tire pressure to ensure that they are
inflated properly, and look for areas that are worn or cracked. The handlebars
should be set at the right height, and the brakes should be working properly.
Other items to check are the bicycle's chains and gears.
●
Perform a helmet safety check as a
part of the pre-ride maintenance, checking for cracks or problems with the
straps.
●
Anyone riding a bike should avoid
wearing clothes that are loose-fitting or long. This type of clothing can get
caught up in tires, chains, or spokes and cause a cyclist to crash.
Provide the
Necessary Supervision
●
Parents or guardians should ride
with and closely supervise children who are new to riding a bike, paying close
attention to how comfortable and responsible they are as riders.
●
Limit where children younger than
10 can ride their bicycles. Because children under this age often have
difficulty when it comes to vehicular traffic, they should be limited to riding
on bike paths, in parks, and on familiar sidewalks.
●
Only allow children to ride alone
and with traffic after they've demonstrated maturity, good riding and judgment
skills, and an understanding of the rules of the road associated with
bicycling.
●
Occasionally ride with children
after they've been allowed to ride without supervision. Look for bad habits
that may have been picked up from their peers.
Teach and
Lead by Example
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Teach kids to bike across the
street safely by instructing them to look left, right, and then left again
before crossing.
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Like pedestrians, cyclists should
make eye contact with drivers before they attempt to cross the street. This
ensures that the driver is alert and aware of their presence so that they can
come to a stop.
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Kids should also be taught to ride
their bikes with traffic, staying on the right side of the road. Additionally,
they should be taught to obey traffic signals and signs and to use hand signals
when appropriate.
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Predictability is important when
riding a bike. Kids should be taught not to behave in ways that are unexpected
and take drivers by surprise.
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Parents should always follow all
safety rules, such as wearing a helmet when riding their bike, as kids will
often copy the behavior of parents and trusted adults.
Be Bright
and as Visible as Possible on the Road
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Reflectors on bicycles increase
the visibility of cyclists during dim light or night riding. Reflectors should
be added as needed.
●
For bicycle safety, wear articles
of clothing that are made of retro-reflective materials or that have reflective
trim or patches.
●
All cyclists can benefit from
using bike lights, which also makes it easier for drivers to see them on the
road. In some states, the use of a front solid white light is required by law.
This article written by Jonathan Rosenfled is lifted from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.