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Cycle Safely for a Great Summer
Bike riding is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and to get exercise. But cycling is not without its hazards. Every year in Manitoba, about 150 cyclists are hospitalized and several are killed. Bike crashes and falls can cause scrapes and bruises, broken bones and even serious head injuries. Many bike-related injuries can be prevented. As a parent, you can keep your family safe while cycling. Good cycling habits need to be taught to children and practiced by the whole family.
Bike-related injuries are caused by...
- Bikes that are too large or too small for the rider
- Bikes that are not working properly
- The rider not knowing or following the rules of the road.
Bike injuries happen...
- Anywhere - Surprisingly, many bike collisions or falls happen close to home on sidewalks and side streets.
- Not only in the city - More people in Manitoba are admitted to rural hospitals than urban hospitals for bike injuries.
- At intersections, multi-lane roads and rural roads. These are where bike-related deaths are most likely to happen.
For children under 15 years old, most bike injuries happen when the child...
- Rides out of a driveway without stopping.
- Goes through stop signs or red lights.
- Turns or swerves to the left without checking
- Falls off the bike because of poor riding skills or because the bike is not in good condition.
What you can do to help keep children safe?
- Buy or borrow a bike that fits.
- Make sure the bike is the right size for the child. He or she should be able to touch the ground with the toes of both feet while sitting on the seat.
- Make sure the wheels are on tight, the brakes work, and the seat and handle bars are at a comfortable height.
- Use your head - wear a helmet.
- Make sure everyone in the family always wears a bicycle helmet when riding a bike. Bike helmets lower the chances of head injury by 85 per cent. Look for a helmet approved by CSA, ANSI, ASTM or SNELL.
- Most helmets last for five years. If your helmet gets hit hard, you need to get a new one.
Learn and follow the rules of the road. Teach your children...
- That bicycles and tricycles are vehicles, not toys. Riders must obey road signs and traffic rules just like people driving cars, trucks, and buses.
- To use hand signals to let drivers know when they are stopping or turning.
- About traffic. They need to understand how traffic flows, that all vehicles including bikes must always drive on the right side of the road, and what the road signs mean.
- To be visible. Wear light, reflective clothing at night.
Child carriers
Child carriers are child seats that are mounted to the bicycle frame in front or in back of the adult rider. The danger is that these seats make the bicycle unstable, affecting steering and braking distances.
The Easter Seal Society recommends following these guidelines when using a child carrier seat:
- The person riding the bicycle must be experienced and competent Infants less than one year old should never be carried on a bicycle Children one to four years old (up to 18 kg or 40 lbs only) must be carried in a seat which protects feet and hands from spokes and minimizes the risk of falling
- Children must be seat-belted in the carrier so they cannot climb or fall out
- The child's head should be protected by the top of the carrier seat. Stores sell a variety of carriers so it's wise to shop around and find one that offers full protection
- Use protective head gear for you and your child. A good helmet can help minimize head injury in case of a fall
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully
Bike trailers
Bicycle trailers are pulled behind a bicycle and ride low to the ground. Manufacturers of bicycle trailers recommend that:
- children be able to hold their heads upright unassisted while wearing bicycle helmets before they are transported in trailers. This stage of development is normally reached at one year of age. If your child is less than one year old or of questionable development, please consult your pediatrician.
- your child wear a properly fitted and certified bicycle helmet when riding in the trailer
- Trailers have differing weight restrictions, so check the manufacturer's guidelines to determine until what age your child can be safely transported in a trailer.
- These trailers are not intended to accommodate car seats. Car seats should never be placed in the trailer as a means of transporting infants.
For more information about safe cycling in Manitoba, and to learn about their Can Bike courses visit The Manitoba Cycling Association Web site*. (* Will open in a new window.)
Courtesy of IM-PACT Manitoba
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