Bicycle Safety Tips by Age

12 to 18 months

As babies develop the neck strength to handle the bumps along the road that come with cycling, getting out on a bike with your child can be a wonderful experience for both of you. As you get vital exercise that raises the heart rate, your child may delight in the scenery passing quickly by and the rush of the wind.

“Follow the age guidelines for the bike seat or trailer you purchase for your child, but also recognize that every child is unique,” Dr. Oberholtzer says. “If your child is unable to keep his or her head somewhat stable over minor bumps while wearing a helmet, wait a while longer for your first ride.”

Newer bike seats that put the child on the front wheel rather than the rear wheel can make it easier for a parent to monitor a child during the ride. A child in a bike seat must wear a helmet and be securely buckled in according to the seat manufacturer’s directions. Go slowly at first and watch to make sure your child can keep his head steady.

For bike trailers, a simple trick to ensure a smoother ride is to underinflate the tires. “Not only does this cushion impact, but it gives the parent a better workout as it is more work to pull a trailer with somewhat flat tires,” Dr. Oberholtzer says.

18 to 36 months

At this age, kids are ready to start working on balance. Pedal-less push bikes (also called strider bikes or balance bikes) let them master the skill of balancing on a bike without having to worry about learning pedaling and braking at the same time. At first, kids may seem to walk with the bikes, but with a little practice, they begin to coast along, especially on gentle downhill slopes.

Although kids are not really doing more than walking at first, according to Dr. Oberholtzer, you should still buy a well-fitting bike helmet and ensure your child wears it every time he or she gets on the push bike. This helps establish the expectation that a bike helmet must be worn for every ride, and could save your child from a serious head injury once he or she graduates to a real bike that can go a lot faster than a push bike.

“Although I’m a big believer in picking your battles with children, you have to draw a line in the sand when it comes to safety concerns,” he says. “Also, lead by example. Never let your child see you get on a bike without a helmet.”

Preschool to Pre-teen

Around this age, your child may become ready for a real bike with pedals. Whether the bike is new or used, make sure it is up to the task of being a safe bike to learn on. Replace any worn rubber handle bars or missing foam cushioning. Look out for sharp metal. Make sure the chain has a cover guard and is well lubricated. Check the brakes and the tire pressure.

“I see a lot of kids riding around with half inflated tires and questionable brakes, and this is absolutely a safety hazard,” Dr. Oberholtzer says.

When teaching your child, ensure you are in a safe place away from traffic as children often master pedaling before they master stopping. “Braking a bike is not intuitive at first, and a child heading for a road may panic and completely forget how to brake,” Dr. Oberholtzer says.

Although some parents and kids feel safer learning on grass, this is also a harder surface to gain momentum on because of the added friction of the rough grass. In addition, grass is not significantly softer to fall on than paved surfaces, Dr. Oberholtzer says.

“This is definitely an individual choice, but personally, I tend to prefer flat paved surfaces for learning,” he explains. “Although a child is somewhat more likely to receive a scrape if they fall on a paved surface, they also may fall less overall and experience more success riding on the paved surface.”

Finally, ensure your child is wearing proper clothes for biking. Wrist, elbow and knee pads are not really necessary and may impede movement, Dr. Oberholtzer says. However, long-sleeved shirts and pants can protect against minor scrapes. Never wear skirts or dresses that can get caught in a chain and always wear closed-toed shoes, like sneakers. “A child’s foot can get significantly hurt if they fall while wearing sandals or flip-flops,” he says.

Pre-Teens and Teens

It is never too late to learn to ride a bike, but at this age, peer pressure can make kids reluctant to practice in public. Also, if you are teaching an older child to ride a bike, it is more strenuous physical exercise to run alongside them and help them balance. Make sure you are both safe, comfortable and having fun. Take breaks as necessary.

For kids who know how to bike, this age introduces a host of new dangers related to bikes and vehicles. Now is when kids are more likely to begin biking away from their parents’ direct supervision.

“I see a lot of kids riding with their helmets clipped to their handlebars or on their heads but not clipped under their chins,” Dr. Oberholtzer says. “If they should fall, their helmets will not protect them.”

Kids are now also more likely to ride on public roads and come into closer proximity with cars. However, because they are not yet old enough to drive themselves, they typically do not understand traffic laws or how drivers are likely to behave. “Parents need to teach their kids the rules of the road,” Dr. Oberholtzer says.

In addition, kids may now be riding more after dark, particularly as high school students or college freshmen. The danger here is that most are too inexperienced with driving to realize that without lights and reflectors, they are invisible to cars, Dr. Oberholtzer says.

“The new LED lights are great, but only if they have working batteries inside them,” he says. “In addition, there should be reflectors both front and back. Reflective leg straps for pants are particularly effective because not only do they keep pant legs from being caught in the bike chain, they also create an up and down moving light that research has shown is particularly good at getting drivers’ attention.”

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Tips for Proper Helmet Fit

Step 1 — Measure your child’s head across the brow and around the back of the head to find the correct helmet size. If you do not have a tape measure, use a string and then measure the string with a straight ruler.

Step 2 — Try on several helmet styles as different styles and brands fit slightly differently. Adjust the sizing pads and fit ring until the helmet is tight.

Step 3 — Check the position. The helmet should sit level on your child’s head and low on the forehead. If the brim of the helmet is more than two finger widths above the eyebrow, it may be too high.

Step 4 — Adjust the sliders on the straps to form a “Y” shape under and slightly in front of the ears.

Step 5 — Center the buckle under the chin, buckle and tighten. If you can fit more than two fingers under the buckled strap, it is too loose.

Step 6 — Check the final fit. The helmet should be low on the forehead and secure. If the helmet slides or rocks back and forth or side to side on your child’s head by more than an inch, the fit is too loose and should be readjusted.