Preschoolers Bike Safety

Preschoolers Bike Safety

• Start at the beginning and get to know the different sorts of bikes.
• Tricycles are meant for gardens and can be used by children as young as two.
• Parents should always supervise when riding on the footpath and on driveways.
• Riding a bike takes a lot of practice to get right. There are also many skills needed to do this safely.
• Children need to:
  • gain balance
  • know how to turn and stop properly
  • know about traffic and road safety
  • know how to look after the bike.
• Children under nine should not ride bikes on the road in traffic because they don't have peripheral vision. They can't judge the speed of vehicles or where the vehicle is in relation to them. If primary school children do have to ride to school then encourage them to ride on cycle or footpaths where possible.
• As a parent:
  • Make sure your child's bike is suitable for their height, that they can steer and stop comfortably, reach the handle bars and reach the ground with their feet.
  • Safety helmets are compulsory and must always be worn.
  • Make sure the bike is in good working order with brake lights, working brakes (preferably two) and a warning bell or alarm.
  • Encourage children to wear light or brightly coloured clothes and sturdy shoes.
  • Encourage children to use other methods of transport if roads are wet and slippery.
  • Reinforce good road safety practices.
• Bike riding as a family activity is a lot of fun. Encouraging children from an early age to use their bikes safely will help keep them safe.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Preschoolers Bike Safety :: Preschoolers Road Safety :: Preschoolers Public Safety
Preschoolers Going To Hospital :: Home

Go To Main Parenting Index Page