Bike Safety

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for most Americans. It is often a child’s first exposure to laws and regulations. More than a half million bicycle accident victims are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually. Following a few simple guidelines can help you and your family stay safe this summer:

Wear a helmet that fits snugly and comfortably.
Wear light-colored clothing for greater visibility.
Clothes should fit closely to avoid being caught in the bicycle’s moving parts.
Obey the rules of the road, including traffic signs, turn signals and road markings.
Stay alert. Most car-bike accidents occur at driveways or other intersections, so always look both ways. Children should walk their bikes across intersections and busy streets.
Younger children should only ride in safe places such as bike trails, sidewalks, parks and school grounds with little traffic and with adult supervision.

Young children should not ride at night. Older children who are permitted to ride at night should wear reflective clothing or materials (especially on ankles, wrists, back and helmet) and ride only in familiar areas and well-lit streets. Their bikes should be equipped with headlights and front and back reflectors.