Bicycle Safety for Summertime
May 17, 2021
School is out and summer is here! Everyone's excited to get outside and invest some time in a physical activity such as bike riding. Here are a few tips to keep your family safe while biking as a family.
Wear Your Helmet
Both children and parents should be wearing a helmet. This is your chance to lead by example and show your kids that safety comes first. Helmets reduce severe head injuries in children by 45% in the event of an unexpected fall or crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more children age 5 to 14 visit hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with bicycles than any other sport. Of course, you and your children should also wear a helmet when participating in any "wheeled" sport such as skateboarding, roller blading, or inline skating.
Eyes. Ears. Mouth. Check!
Everyone's helmet should fit them properly. The way to be sure is using the following checklist:
- Put the helmet on your head and look up. You should see the bottom rim of the helmet. The helmet should fit firmly on the head and not move from side to side.
- The straps should form a “V” under your ears when buckled. The straps should be a little tight but not uncomfortable.
- Say “Ahhh!!!” Open your mouth as wide as you can. Does the helmet hug your head? If not, tighten the straps.
ABC Quick Check
- A is for Air: Be sure you have enough air in your tires. Check the sidewall of the tire and inflate tires to the rated pressure indicated.
- B is for Brakes: Look to see that your brake pads and cables are not worn down. For hand brakes, give them a squeeze to check cable tightness.
- C is for Chain and Cranks: Always check that your chain is clean (free of gunk) and lubricated (rust-free).
Don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own? Check out a local bike shop in your area.
Be safe. Be seen.
- Communicate the rules of the ride so each family member understands the expectations.
- Use proper hand signals to alert other road users of actions.
- Review the bike laws in your local Department of Transportation website.
- Wear bright colored and/or reflective clothing.
- Add reflectors or lights to your bikes as an added safety precaution.
- Avoid loose clothing to avoid them being caught in the bike chain, pedals or wheels.
We hope you enjoy your summer and get outside often to enjoy a good bike ride with your family!
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