Learning how to ride a bike is a rite of passage for many children. This is a great method of transportation in addition to providing everyone with a nice source of exercise. At the same time, it is also important for everyone to make sure they stay safe when they ride a bike. Therefore, it is important for all kids and parents to keep a few important safety tips in mind when it comes to bicycles.
First, it is extremely important for all kids to make sure they wear a helmet every time they set foot on a bicycle. Helmets can dramatically reduce the chances of a child suffering a traumatic brain injury if he or she were to fall off a bike and strike his or her head on the pavement. According to the “May Firm, symptoms [of a brain injury] do not always show up immediately following a bicycle accident.” Therefore, any parent who has a child involved in a bike accident needs to make sure they remain vigilant and watch for symptoms.
Next, parents need to make sure that their children understand that cyclists are subjected to the same traffic rules as motor vehicles. Therefore, children always need to make sure that they stop at all traffic lights. Kids need to be taught that red means stop, green means go, and that they should always look both ways before they cross the street. Even though cyclists should have the right of way when compared to motor vehicles, this isn’t going to prevent a driver from striking a cyclist they might not see. This could lead to serious injuries that could place a child in the hospital.
Finally, children should always wear brightly colored clothing when they ride a bike. Kids need to do anything they can to make themselves easier for drivers to stop. Dark clothing might blend in with the background. In contrast, brightly colored clothing, such as green, yellow, and orange might be easier for drivers to spot. Wearing brightly colored clothing is even more important at night when everything is harder to see. Therefore, wearing the right clothing could prevent a serious bicycle accident from taking place.
These are just a few of the most important tips that everyone should keep in mind when it comes to bicycle safety for children. Many children love riding bikes with their friends through the neighborhood, in the woods, and through fields that might be present in the local area. At the same time, it is important to make sure that everyone does so safely. These tips can prevent serious injuries from taking place. For parents and children who are involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to remember that there are always trained professionals who are willing to lend a helping hand.
