Safe Cycling for Children

With thousands of children affected by cycling accidents and injuries each year, before beginning a cycling fitness program with children, careful consideration should be made in safety equipment use, including cycling helmets, as well as road hazard conditions.   Teaching children the basic guidelines of safe cycling will ensure the entire family enjoys the experience of the bicycle. 

First, and foremost, every child should be taught the importance of a helmet.   When riding a bicycle, the helmet should be considered a part of the bicycle equipment.  By making this "two-piece" connection early in life, children will grow up to believe the helmet and the bicycle are one unit.    Unfortunately, for some children, the thought of wearing a helmet is not considered cool.  However, with a decorative helmet, the child has the opportunity to custom design the helmet to define their own personality.    By allowing for individualization of the helmet, the child is encouraged to wear the helmet and may, in fact, entice their peers to do the same.   

In addition to customizing the design on the exterior of the helmet, the child should be taught how to appropriately wear a helmet when cycling.   The helmet should never obstruct the view of the cycler and should sit snug onto the head, just above the eyebrows, and never easily tilt back and forth.   Straps must be part of the cycling helmet component and children should be trained in how to appropriately secure the cycling helmet.   Parental inspection of the helmet should be done weekly.