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Children Love To Ride Their Bikes
 

 
Daily Bread
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
Take appropriate safety precautions before your child ever gets on a bike.

Children love to ride their bikes.

That’s great because bicycling is a great way to exercise.

But parents must make sure they have taken the appropriate safety precautions before their children ever get on their bikes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families take these steps to ensure bicycle safety.

  • Do not push your child to ride a two-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.
  • Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new bike.
  • Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
  • Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride your bike, put on your helmet.
  • When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
  • A helmet protects your child from serious injury and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
  • A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet's sizing pads can help improve the fit.


Published: July 28, 2005
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Bicycling Starts Early, Bike Myths and Facts


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