Bike Safety For Kids

If you remember the days of hoping on your bike and taking off to play with your friend when you were younger, you probably do not see helmets and even elbow and knee pads in your mental image. However, you also may remember at least a few friends who were badly injured on a bike as well. Things have changed in regards to bike safety for kids, and though it may not seem like it would be as much fun with extra safeguards in place, your kids are far less likely to get hurt and they will not even notice the extra while out having fun.

Helmets are essential in bike safety for kids. So many children fall off a bike and land on their head, which can lead to a concussion or a serious and quite nasty head gash. The helmet is a great way to avoid this. They may still get a bump or have a headache from a hard fall, but these do a very good job to help keep your kid's heads safe if and when they fall off of their bike. A helmet should fit properly and the straps that snap under the chin should be adjusted for a good fit. This ensures good vision while riding, and also that the helmet properly protects in the event of a spill.

Some children need to wear elbow and/or knee pads. This is something that may be up to you, but if you have a child that is just learning to ride, or that seems to be a bit clumsy, these may be a good idea, at least for a little while. These can prevent nasty scrapes and cuts when a child falls from a bike. As with the helmets, these are something that are newer in bike safety for kids, but have saved children from a lot of pain. Knees, elbows and head hit the ground first in most accidents, so this cushions the fall quite well.

Otherwise, part of bike safety for kids is also upkeep of the bike. The chain is what makes the bike work, but is often what causes an accident. The chain has to be tightened properly for the bike to work and remain safe, which is something you should check often. Some have a tendency to loosen even after just a day or two, and some are fine no matter what. If you buy a more expensive bike, this may not be a problem, but some chains simply do not want to stay as they should be. Keep an eye on the chain and don't forget to oil it.

Otherwise, the bike should be in good shape in regards to the seat being stable and locked, and the bike should have proper grips on the handlebars and also on the pedals. Don't let your kids ride bike barefoot or with flip flops, as this is asking for an accident. Go over proper bike safety for kids in relation to how they should always walk a bike across a street and how to signal when they are turning if they are riding with others or on bike trails. Biking is a lot of fun and great exercise, and with just a little maintenance and some rules, your kids can enjoy being outdoors with friends.