It's a beautiful day — what could be more perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before you pull your bike out of the garage, let's find out how to stay safe on two wheels.
Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. The safest way to use your bike is to get places, not to play. Every year, lots of kids need to see their doctor or go to the emergency room because of bike injuries.
Wearing a helmet that fits well every time you're on a bike helps protect your face, head, and brain if you fall down. That's why it's so important to wear your bike helmet whenever you are on a bike.
Bike helmets are so important that the U.S. government has created safety rules for them. Your helmet should have a sticker that says it meets the rules set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If your helmet doesn't have a CPSC sticker, ask your mom or dad to get you one that does.
Wear a bike helmet every time you ride, even if you're going for a short ride. And follow these rules:
Riding a bike that is the right size for you helps to keep you safe.
To check the size:
Making a safety checklist is important. Ask your mom or dad for help:
Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you. And if they see you, that means they're less likely to run into you.
You'll also want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces.
Wear the right shoes — sneakers — when you bike. Sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels, and cleats won't help you grip the pedals. And never go riding barefoot!
Riding gloves may help you grip the handlebars — and make you look like a professional!
Don't wear headphones because the music can distract you from noises around you, such as a car blowing its horn so you can get out of the way.
You need to check with your mom and dad about:
No matter where you ride, daytime riding is the safest. So try to avoid riding your bike at dusk and later.
And always keep an eye out for cars and trucks. Even if you're just riding on the sidewalk, a car may pull out of its driveway into the path of your bike. If you're crossing a busy road, walk your bike across the street.
If you're allowed to ride on the street, follow these road rules:
Hand signals are like turn signals and brake lights for bikers. It helps cars and trucks know what you will do next so they don't run into you. Don't change directions or lanes without first looking behind you, and always use the correct signals.
Use your left arm for all signals:
Now that you've learned those hand signals, you get a big thumbs-up for finding out more about bike safety!
Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date Reviewed: Feb 1, 2019