Safeguarding Children's Riding Activities
Warmer weather means more outdoor activity, including children on bikes and skateboards. Here are 10 tips to help ensure your child’s ride is safer.
Bicycle
Wear a Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) approved helmet
Ride a bike that is the proper height and equipped with a headlight and taillight
Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective gear at night
Ride in the same direction as auto traffic
Obey all street signs, signals, and road markings
Skateboard
Wear helmet and practice gear (elbow & knee pads) that meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards
Practice on a smooth driveway away from traffic, or a parking lot not in use
Crouch down and practice falling on a soft surface
Never ride in the street or hitch a ride from a bicycle or other moving vehicle
Avoid wearing headphones while skateboarding to remain aware of your surroundings
References:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Bicycle Safety,” https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists.
Skateboard Safety.org, “Skateboarding Safety,” skateboardsafety.org.