Bicycle Safety Info

 General Tips on Bicycle Safety:

	Small children should not ride bikes or trikes in the street, or in driveways where they can roll into the street or a car may unexpectedly turn in. Bike and trike-riding for young children should be supervised and in a fenced enclosure or playground free of sharp-cornered objects that the child can collide with or fall on, and with no steep drop-offs or ramps to fall down.
	Children should always wear a crash helmet when riding bikes. Small toddlers may not have the neck strength for a heavy helmet; call your pediatrician for recommendations.

 Bike Safety Checklist:

	Before allowing your child to ride a bike, you should perform a safety check on all of the equipment.
	Make sure the bike is the proper size. A bike that is too big or too small will be difficult to control. When the child is standing on the ground there should be a one to three inch gap between the top bar and the child's crotch. Mountain bikes should have extra clearance.
	Check to see if the bike is the proper height. When the child sits on the seat with her foot on the pedal, her leg should be slightly bent to avoid knee strain.

	Install reflectors on the front and rear of the bike. The rear reflector should be at least three inches across. Make sure the reflector is pointed straight back to reflect the headlights of cars coming up from behind.
	Check the bike's chain to make sure it is clean and lubricated. If it is not, take it to the local bike shop for a check up.
	Check the brakes for even pressure.
	Make sure the tires are properly inflated.

How Does a Bike Helmet Work?

	When you crash and hit a hard surface, the styrofoam part of a helmet crushes, controlling the crash energy and lengthening your head's stopping time by about six thousandths of a second to reduce the peak impact to the brain.
	Thicker foam is better, since it gives your head more room to stop.
	A plastic skin holds the helmet's foam together and helps it skid easily on pavement, rather than jerking your head to a stop.

	Straps keep the helmet on your head even after the first impact.
	The outside of the helmet should be a bright color for visibility in traffic. Reflective trim is useful at night.

 Does My Child Really Need One?

	YES!!
	A child of any age needs protection when riding. A small toddler's neck may not support the weight of the helmet, so if in doubt, contact our office for advice.
	Laws now require helmets in many areas because research has shown that 88% of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a bicycle helmet.
	More than 800 bicycle riders are killed in the U.S. every year, almost all in collisions with cars, and 75% of them die of head injuries.
	Thousands suffer less severe but debilitating injuries. Your child could suffer from permanent personality changes and learning disabilities from a brain injury, and may be aware of what he has lost. Common long term effects include concentration difficulties, aggressiveness, headaches, and balance problems.

How Much Does a Helmet Cost?

	In bike shops and by mail order helmets cost $20 and up.
	In discount stores you may be able to find them below $10. A discount helmet can be just as protective as a helmet bought in a bike shop, but you must take the time to fit it carefully on your child.
	Helmets are cheap for their benefit, so do not wait for a sale.
	Don't buy used bike helmets - if they have been in a previous crash (not necessarily leaving visible marks), the foam has already been compacted and will have lost its protective function.

What should I look for in buying in a helmet?

	The heads of children vary in shape and size, so be careful when fitting the helmet. It should sit level on the child's head and fit securely when the strap is fastened.
	Look for the roundest and smoothest helmet you can find so that it will skid across pavement easily during a crash.
	Check for an ASTM, Snell, or CPSC sticker inside.

	Put the helmet on your child and make sure that you cannot work it off when it is fastened and the straps are adjusted.
	Look for bright colors on the outside for visibility.

Will I Have to Buy a New Helmet Every Year?

	No. Heads grow less than feet, so helmets do not need to be replaced often.
	Some helmets come with several sets of foam fitting pads. You can start off with the thicker ones and use thinner ones as your child grows.
	The fitting pads do not affect the safety of the helmet, which is provided by the firmer crushable polystyrene foam.

When Should I Replace a Helmet?

	Replace the buckle if it cracks or any piece breaks off.
	Replace any helmet after your child crashes in it because the impact crushes some of the foam. Even though the damage may not be obvious, the helmet may no longer be protective. Because helmets soften the impact of a crash, a child may not be aware that he has hit his head until you examine the helmet for damage.

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