Children's Bicycle Safety & Bike Helmets

Helmets Save Lives

As children are more vulnerable to head injuries, parents need to ensure that children of all ages are wearing an approved bicycle helmet when on bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards or other wheeled toys. Many countries have road rules that state that all riders of bikes are required by law tyo always wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding.

Head injuries cause 85% of cycling fatalities. If your child learns to wear a helmet from an early age, it will help to increase it being worn when they are older.

A properly fitted helmet lessens the risk of head injuries - let's face it after a serious head injury life may never be the same.

How to get a well fitted helmet

• Take the child to the shop when buying a helmet to ensure it fits well
• Helmets come in all shapes and sizes and the correct one needs to be chosen to ensure maximum protection
• The helmet must be the right size. Not too big that it falls over ears and eyes and not too small that it sits on the top of the head
• The helmet must stay securely in place. The straps need to sit fat without twists, one in front of the ears and one behind the ears then fasten snugly under the chin.
• The helmet must sit around the head, with the front rim about half way down the wearers forehead. A reasonable measurement of this correct wearing position is that the helmet sits two of the child's fingers widths of the helmet wearer above the eyebrows.
• Ensure hildren have a lightweight helmet that is not too heavy for their head and their neck to carry.

It is a parents responsibility to ensure that the well fitted helmet is worn correctly by the child every time they ride a bike, trike, scooter, skateboard or wheeled toy!

Choosing a bike that suits the rider

Having the right size bike for your body plays a big part in safe cycling. A bike that's too big for your child is dangerous - kids don't 'grow into' bikes or helmets. To test for size, stand your child over the bicycle with both feet on the ground. For medium or lightweight bikes, there should be at least 2cm between the crotch and the crossbar (or where the crossbar would be if the bike had one). For BMX and mountain bikes, there should be at least 5cm between crotch and crossbar.

Make sure all controls are within easy reach and comfortable to use, and that the seat can be adjusted. If you buy a second hand bike, make sure that it is serviced properly.

Does your bike size up?

Frame Size Test

If the bicycle has a horizontal top tube, the rider straddles the bicycle over the to tube. The riders feet should be flat on the ground with some clearance between the top tube and the rider. If the rider cannot put both heels on the ground then the bicycle is too big and therefore unsafe to ride

Seat Adjustment

The rider should sit on the seat and rotate the pedal until it is pushed as far away from the body as possible. The ball of the foot should be on the pedal and the leg should be slightly bent.

Additional Adjustment Test

The rider sits on the seat and takes hold of the handlebars. When both legs are stretched, the toes of both feet should just touch the ground

The Law for Children

In our state the following laws apply to children and bikes but you shoudl check the legistlation in your own state/country

• Children under 12 years are required to ride a bicycle on the footpath or away from the road and should be supervised by an adult. Riders must keep to the left of the footpath and give way to pedestrians.
• All bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet
• Always walk rather than ride your bike to cross a busy road
• Always stay alert
• *** Don't assume drivers will see you***
• Be aware of dangers and always ride sensibly

Caring for your bike

You need to make sure that your bike and your child's bike are well maintained. Regularly check brakes, wheels, pedals, bearings and chains so that the bike will stop quickly in an emergency. Each time you ride the bike, check if the tyres are hard, if the brakes work and whether there are any rattles. Check the tyres, bearings, gears, nuts and bolts and lubricate the chain and cables each week. See a professional bicycle repairer if you are unsure about the bike's safety.

Cycling safely

To help your child become a safe cyclist, let them have lots of practice on safe paths while offering tips on bike handling. Basically, they should be able to ride in a straight line, brake properly and corner safely.

Ride in designated areas such as bike paths when possible. By law, children can ride on the footpath up to the age of 12. Find out if your child's school offers BikeEd which teaches children about road safety and cycling skills.

Things to remember

• In our state it is compulsory to wear helmets while riding.
• Make sure you choose the right helmet for your child and that it is worn properly.
• Regularly check the bike for safety.
• Give your child lots of riding practice and teach them riding skills.
• Make sure the bike is the right size for your child - a bike that is too big or small can be dangerous.