Child Safety when Cycling

Children start to learn riding their bikes much earlier these days. Their first bike helps them to playfully learn how to move around, how to balance, steer, stop and how to get on and off. However, it's always best to let the child learn in a safe, car free environment for as long as possible. Before you let a child cycle on a road, be aware that children are not equipped to deal with road traffic in the same way adults do. Children's attention is easily distracted, and naturally drawn to the nearest object, traffic or otherwise (e.g. toys, animals, kiosks or friends). This may mean they then start steering towards that object, rather than thinking about cars that might pass their way.

From around the age of 8 children are capable of concentrating for longer stretches and they are able to concentrate fully by the time they are 14 years old.

Things to remember regarding children cycling on the road:

• Children have a smaller field of vision than adults and can notice upcoming traffic rather late.
• Children don't find it easy to look left or right when they are first learning how to ride a bike and they can not abruptly stop when in danger.
• Children can have some difficulty locating sounds and might not realize which direction the sound of an engine or a horn are coming from.
• Children can only calculate speed and braking distances correctly when they are a bit older
• Children may react unpredictably when they have to look out for several things at the same time

It is very important for children to learn how to ride a bike. They increase their own mobility, they learn to control their body and they get to know a whole new aspect of their lives, the roads. However, it is not only important to be able to ride the bike correctly, but also to be taught road safety.

For further information, see the Direct Gov page on cycling safety, and also The National Cyclists Organisation web site here.

Girls Cycle Helmets

A cycle helmet is not a substitute for road awareness and safe cycling. However should any fall occur, a good quality cycle helmet can help protect the rider.

Riding a bike, either on the road or in the park, can present a risk of accident and injury. Therefore protection is essential, particularly head protection which can be very vulnerable should a biking accident occur. The simple precaution of wearing a bike helmet may prevent severe injury and possibly save your child's life. Other benefits include the fact that most bike helmets are brightly coloured, making your child more visible to others and they also offer protection from weather.