Bicycling Safety tips for Kids

The vast majority of bicycle accidents are low-speed, single participant accidents, and these rarely produce more than just a scratch or scrape. However, some accidents can include multiple riders, high speed, cyclists and pedestrians, or even bicycle versus motor vehicle. These accidents have a great potential to be dangerous, and certain safety measures should be taken to reduce the risk of serious injuries while cycling.

A recent study showed that nearly 60% of bicycle accidents are single participant accidents caused by operator error or collision with an obstacle or animal. Nearly all of these accidents are preventable. In order to prevent such types of accidents consider taking certain precautions. First, pay attention when riding your bicycle! Constantly look where you are going, actively identify possible obstacles and create a plan to avoid them. Slow down when the situation calls for it. Even if you cannot manage to avoid an accident, lowering the speed at which the accident occurs can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury. If you ride in low light conditions, make sure your bicycle has reflectors and that they are clean, and consider purchasing a lamp so you can see potential obstacles better.

Somewhere between 60%-85% of bicycle accidents involving serious injury are the result of negligence of a motor vehicle driver, whether involved in the accident or not. While these accidents may not be preventable by the cyclist, there are still precautions to take to reduce risk of serious injury should an accident occur. Wear a helmet! Almost 75% of serious and fatal injuries in bicycle accidents are due to head injuries. Approved bicycle helmets can be purchased for as little as $20.00, and have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of head injury in the unfortunate case of an accident. When cycling on the road, follow the same rules as motor vehicles, following any additional provisions as according to your local city legal code. Use hand signals when turning or stopping to let drivers around you know what your intentions are. Ride defensively! We are constantly reminded to drive defensively, and the same strategies apply to riding a bicycle. Always keep your eyes open and be looking for routes of escape should your current lane of travel be suddenly cut off.

(Adapted from snap9)