Learning to ride a bike can take all day, a week, or even more, and it is not always easy to nail it on the first try. If you’re preparing to teach your child how to cycle for the first time, these are a few things about Quantum that you should consider.
Bike Helmet Safety
A proper kids bike helmet is necessary for protecting your child against head injuries. A helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by 60% to 90%. You must get a helmet that fits your child correctly every time you ride, even if it’s for a short ride. The helmet should sit level on the forehead no more than an inch above and fit snugly on the head. Ensure that the helmet fits the mandatory Australian standard, which covers helmet safety for children. Use kneepads and elbow pads to protect your kids from the ‘almosts.’
Your child’s helmet should be:
- The correct size and positioned correctly
- Meets the Australian Standard Mark
- Kept in good condition
- Correctly fitted
Choosing A Suitable Bike
Getting a bike of the correct size for your rider’s body plays an integral part in safe cycling. Do not buy a helmet or a too big bicycle for your child as it can be dangerous. So often, parents tend to buy bikes that are too big for their kids with the intention that they will grow into them.
When buying a second-hand bike, make sure that it is appropriately serviced, and all the controls are within easy reach and are comfortable for the rider to use.
To find a bike that is the right size for your child, stand your child over the bike with both their feet touching the ground. There should be two centimetres between the crossbar and the child’s crotch for medium to lightweight bicycles. For mountain bikes or BMX bikes, there should be five centimetres between the crotch and the crossbar.
Rules For The Road
Teaching your child safety rules at an early stage can ensure a lifetime of safe bicycle riding.
Children under the age of ten should ride on the sidewalk rather than the road. These hand signals let car drivers know what the rider plans to do. The signals include:
- Right Turn- The right arm extended straight out, left arm bent at the elbow.
- Left Turn- Left arm extended straight out.
At an intersection before pulling up on the street, a bike rider should:
- Pause, look to your left, then to your right, and then left again.
- Always watch for cars coming out of parking spaces, driveways, and parking lots.
- Young children should walk their bikes through intersections.
Bike Safety Tips
for kids under 9
- Teach your kids about signs and traffic lights and discuss the places where it is safe for them to cross the road.
- Supervise your children on the way to and from school.
- Be an inspiration and a role model for your child by obeying road rules and safely crossing roads.
- An adult should accompany children under 12.
- Ensure that your child wears an approved Australian Standard kids bike helmet.
Maintain Your Child’s Bike
Regularly check the wheels, brakes, pedals, bearings and chains and ensure that your child’s bike is well maintained. Always check and make sure that the tires are well pumped and that the brakes are functioning properly. Lubricate the chain and ensure that the nuts, gears, and bolts are in place. In case of uncertainty, you can see a professional bike mechanic.
Teaching your kids safety rules can ensure a lifetime of safe riding. In addition, getting on your bike and riding alongside your children can inspire and give them something to imitate.
Author Bio:
Ester Adams is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
