Its Never to Early to Learn Bike Safety

It's never too early to start teaching a child the essentials of bicycle safety. Bike related accidents account for approximately 200 deaths in kids under the age of 15 annually. Over 300,000 kids per year are treated for a bike related injury at an hospital or emergency care center with over 8,000 needing hospitalization.

The Children's Safety Network research indicates that without bicycle helmets, the statistics above would likely double. Helmets are a lifesaver and its critical that you emphasize its importance and demand your child wear one on every ride. Kids, especially older kids, loathe helmets. Get to your child early and make wearing a helmet a mandatory part of the bike riding experience.

The earlier you start to teach your child bike safety, the better. Even preschool age kids who are not yet riding can learn from the example of their parents. If you use a child seat or bike trailer, make sure your child and you are wearing a helmet.

While a preschooler may not yet possess the judgment and reasoning skills required for managing complicated biking situations, they can learn by example. Wearing a helmet is a great start. Making a point of explaining why mommy is stopping her bike and walking it across a busy intersection or why dad stops at a stop sign are also lessons that will pay dividends in the future.

Balance is certainly the most important motor skill required to learn to ride a bike, but survival skills are even more important. The first thing a child should learn about riding a bike is how to avoid a crash.

The following tips from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute are excellent rules to follow:

1. Always stop before riding into the street.
2. Obey stop signs.
3. Check behind you before swerving, turning or changing lanes.
4. Always ride on the right side of the street.
5. Never follow another rider without obeying rules 1-4.

Preschoolers can be ready to bicycle, especially with the use of a balance bike. However, their youth puts them at a safety disadvantage as they're not able to process potential danger the way an older child might. It's essential that parents supervise their rider at all times. You will be shocked at how quickly a child can become mobile on a balance bike.

Start teaching your little one bike safety long before their first bike arrives. Make sure they understand where they are allowed to ride and areas that are forbidden. Teach them the five rules to avoid a crash before they even sit on the bike. No child should face the risk of serious injury because they were unprepared to handle a bike safety situation.