Bike Safety Rules

The arrival of summer means many families will be dusting off their bicycles. Before your children hop on and pedal off, know how you can help keep them safe.

Helmets

Dr. Denise Dowd, emergency room physician at Children’s Mercy Hospital, sees many kids with bike injuries and says the most common are head injuries.

“The three most important bike safety rules are helmet, helmet, helmet! If you don’t do anything else, make sure your kids wear helmets,” she says. “And parents need to set a good example by wearing helmets too.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent. The key phrase, of course, is properly fitted:

• Size: Make sure the helmet sits flat on the head and doesn’t rock. Purchase a helmet that fits now, not one your child will grow into. 
• Position: The helmet should sit level on the head and low on the forehead (one or two finger-widths above eyebrows).
• Side Straps: Adjust both straps to form a “V” under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible. 
• Chin Straps: Buckle the chin strap and tighten until it is snug. Only one or two fingers should be able to fit under the strap. After fitting the helmet, tell your child to open his mouth wide. If the helmet “hugs” his head, it fits properly. 
• Sticker: Purchase a helmet with a sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and always buy a new helmet after a crash.

Before the Ride

Have your child straddle the top bar of the bike, with both feet flat on the ground. There should be 1 to 3 inches between your child and the bar. The knee should have a slight bend when the leg is extended to pedal. Make sure the seat, handlebars and wheels fit tightly, tires are properly inflated and brakes work. Reflectors and a bell are good safety features for bikes.

Clothing no-no’s include flip-flops (tennis shoes only!), dark clothes and loose pants.

Rules for Street Riding

According to the NHTSA, the safest place to ride for those over the age of 10 is the street, where bicyclists are expected to follow the same rules as motorists. Things to remember:

•  Ride single file and in the same direction as traffic.
• Obey traffic signs and signals.
• Use designated bike lanes or routes when possible.
• Use hand signals.
• Stay away from parked cars.

Rules for Sidewalk Riding

• Ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Don’t ride on sidewalks in business districts.
• Watch for cars pulling in and out of driveways.
• Enter streets at a corner and not between parked cars.
• When passing other bicyclists or pedestrians, sound your bell or horn or call out, “On your left!”

Trail riding is also a fun, safe option for families. Go to

www.Marc.org/bikeped/maps.htm to find trails in the Kansas City area.

Tisha Foley lives in Belton with her husband and two children. They are biking enthusiasts who spend most warm weekends on area trails.