Bicycle Safety

An excellent source of exercise and recreation, bicycling can pose many hazards. Approximately 46,000 injuries (reported) and 622 fatalities involving bicycles were reported in 2003, reports the U.S. Bureau of Transportation. However, it is estimated that as many as 175,000 children may visit a doctor, emergency room or go untreated due to bicycle accidents.

Many accidents can be avoided with proper safety precautions while riding a bicycle. Follow these tips and teach your kids to practice safe riding skills.

• Educate yourself and your children on the rules of the road and obey all streetlights and signs just as cars do.
• Wear a bike helmet. However, they must be worn properly in order to work correctly to help save a life or prevent trauma.
• Make sure the bike is the right size. You should be able to straddle a bike with both feet on the ground; this goes for children as well.
• Stop at stop signs, check for traffic before turning and never ride out into a street without stopping first.
• Ride on the same side of the road as the cars.
• Ride single file when riding with other people.
• Use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever possible.
• Be predictable and ride defensively. Ride where drivers of cars can see you and make sure you watch for them.
• Keep the bicycle in good condition, making sure the chain, brakes and tires are all in good working condition.
• Do not ride double.
• Do not ride in and out of traffic or weave between cars—moving, stopped or parked.
• Young children should use bikes with brakes that work when you pedal backwards. A child's hands should be large enough and strong enough to use the hand brakes.
• Avoid riding at night. Make sure your bike has reflectors and you wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
• Wear brightly colored clothing so that motorists can easily see you.
• Do not wear loose clothing or have backpack or bag straps hanging by the tires or chain.
• Never ride barefoot. Be sure to wear the proper footwear: sneakers.
• Keep both hands on the handle bars except when doing turn signals.
• Walk the bicycle across busy streets, but avoid busy streets if possible.
• Do not wear headphones. It is important for the bike rider to be able to hear the sounds around him, including traffic, other people or animals.

These bicycle safety tips will give you and your family a much safer summer.