Like many Washington residents, you may remember the fun and freedom of riding a bike as a child and want your kids to have the same enjoyable experience. However, you may also worry about the risk of accidents and injuries. There are many ways that you may reduce the risk of an accident by helping your child learn to ride safely.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a comprehensive guide to bicycle safety. The organization provides several tips for parents to use when teaching their children to ride safely. Wearing a properly fitted helmet is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of injury. Each helmet manufacturer may have slightly different sizing, so it usually works well to measure your child’s head and compare the result to the relevant size chart.
There are several other ways to limit the chances of your child getting into a bicycle accident. You should make sure your child has a bike that is the proper size. A bicycle that is too large or too small may be more prone to crashing. You may want to outfit the bike with additional reflectors. It is also a good idea to ensure your child wears bright colors when bicycling. Shoelaces and loose clothing may tangle in the bike chain, so helping your child choose appropriate clothing is important. If your child will be out riding alone, you may want to designate specific routes that only involve sidewalks and other paths that prohibit motor vehicles.
These tips for reducing the risk of bicycle accidents are provided for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
