Pedal in the City: Safety tips for back to school

As children head back to school, parents whose children bicycle should be sure that they are aware of safety items.boy-bikes-to-school-612x300

Parents Central has a page of back to school bicycle safety resources.(http://www.safercar.gov/parents/OnTheMove/BikeTip.htm), ranging from things like fitting a bicycle helmet, bike inspection advice, chossing a safe bicycle route, bicycle safety songs for children and a bicycle activity kit.

Here are some general items for consideration:

  • Check with the school to make sure your child is allowed to ride their bicycle to school. Some schools do not allow students to ride bicycles to school until they reach a specific grade.
  • Make sure your child always wears a bicycle helmet! Failure to wear one could result in a traffic citation. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
  • Obey the rules of the road; the rules are the same for all vehicles, including bicycles.
  • Always stay on the right-hand side of the road and ride in the same direction as traffic.
  • Be sure your child know and uses all of the appropriate hand signals.
  • Choose the safest route between home and school and practice it with children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness.
  • If possible, try to ride with someone else. There is safety in numbers.

 

(http://www.protection1.com/resources/back-to-school-safety/)