With school out, children will be outside playing and riding bicycles. And as parents and caregivers, we want to encourage that activity -- and keep them safe at the same time.
If your child is just getting started riding a bicycle, we found out from a pediatrician what we should teach them beyond the obvious: learning to balance while pedaling on two wheels.
Helmets
Every year, thousands of children suffer head injuries from falling off their bikes, which is why it’s so important for them to wear a helmet. And not just any helmet, but one that fits.
“It should ride about one inch above your eyebrows, and the biggest mistake you see in the suburbs is the kids riding with it on the back of their head,” said Dr. Richard So, a pediatrician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “That’s not going to protect your child. It should be like one inch above, and it shouldn’t rock too much, it shouldn’t feel loose, and you should wear the strap.”
So said the sooner you can teach your child to wear a helmet, the better. That way they’re used to wearing it as they get older. And it’s important for parents and caregivers to also wear a helmet to reinforce the message for children.
Don’t forget to double-check the condition of your child’s helmet.
“Helmets, they’re only made to crash once because most of them are made from collapsible foam,” said So. “If you have a helmet that was a hand-me-down or it’s been in an accident, or it’s from before 1999, you’re better off getting a new helmet.”
Road rules
The lessons for your children should also detail the rules of the road:
- Include what areas could be dangerous, like hills
- Warn them to be careful with cars pulling in and out of driveways because it’s easy for a driver to miss someone on their bike
- Emphasize the importance of reflective gear when riding at night
So said all the same road rules and helmet recommendations should apply to electric scooters. They have grown in popularity, and he warns they can be even more dangerous in a crash.