BIKE SAFETY FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

School is out and kids will have more time to enjoy the outdoors. Of course, one favorite activity is to go out biking and here are some safety tips.

HELMETS

In Alberta, it is law that bicyclists and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet when cycling. Tell your kids: NO HELMET, NO BIKE. Helmets are so important because a properly worn bike helmet can reduce brain injury by almost 90%.

It is also important to remember that little ones in bike trailers should be over the age of one. When you go biking, all the bumps in the road cause vibration and shaking of the baby’s brain and is definitely NOT RECOMMENDED. When they are older than 1 year old, it is safer for them to join you on your bike ride but also remember that they need a helmet too inside the bike trailer.

It is important to buy the right helmet and to also wear it correctly. The YES test is a useful checklist to look at.

In Summary, the proper way to wear a helmet is to use the 2, V, 1 rule:

• There should be 2 fingers between the eyebrows and bottom of the helmet.

• The straps make a V-shape around the ears.

• And 1 finger under the strap under the chin.

ROAD SAFETY

Here are some tips to teach your kids about being a safe rider:

• Walk your bike across the street

• Cross the street at crosswalks and corners

• Do not ride in the dark or bad weather

• Stop, look left, right, and left again before crossing roadways, sidewalks, or driveways

• Wear bright clothing and reflective gear to increase visability

• Check that bikes are right size and good working order (check that seat is secure, chain is clean and tight, tires inflated)

• Bikes should have horn or bell and should be used when approaching pedestrians to give warning

Happy summer to everyone!