|
Are you buying a
bicycle for Christmas?
Cycling is a fun, environmentally friendly, healthy way to travel and
kids enjoy it. Many parents today, however, worry about the safety of
children as cyclists on roads that are so much faster and more dangerous
than they were 20 years ago.
Helping children learn skills and gain confidence before they take to
the streets is important in minimising risk and allowing them to have
fun, and there are a few recommendations when preparing kids for their
first ‘big kid’s bike'.
Firstly, the bike must fit the child – they’re not something children
should 'grow into'. Take your child with you when buying a bike to
ensure it’s a comfortable 'fit'.
-
Where possible buy a bike that’s already assembled.
-
Purchase from a bike shop as specialist shops stock a wide range of
bicycle types and sizes, and can help you choose the right one for
your child.
-
Ensure your child's bike is properly maintained. Good brakes and
tyres are essential for safe riding, so check them regularly and
show your child how to do this.
-
Make sure your child wears a cycle helmet. This is a legal
requirement for all cyclists. To be of any use the straps need to be
tight and the helmet fitted properly. Check the helmet regularly and
throw away if damaged or worn.
-
Teach children that wearing cycle helmets doesn’t mean they’re
bullet proof. Bicycle helmets can prevent or reduce the severity of
some head injuries, but they don't stop crashes happening and are
not designed for the impacts likely in a collision with a moving
car.
Help
your child learn good cycling skills and encourage them to ride
sensibly.
Know
when they are ready for the road. It’s recommended that children under
10 years don’t ride on the road unsupervised. This is because they don’t
have the skills to judge traffic and speeds before then.
Ensure children are visible on the road at all times. Encourage them to
wear bright colours, reflective stickers, and use a highly visible cycle
helmet. If they ride in the dark, make sure their bike has lights.
There are a number of safe places for children to learn to ride bikes,
for example local parks and quiet streets, and some cities like North
Shore City in Auckland and Dunedin have specially designed cycle parks.
|
