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The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) and Child Care Aware do not endorse nor are we responsible for the information or materials posted on any of the resource’s websites.Biking is Safe and Fun: With a Helmet!
June 04, 2007
Summer has arrived and it's a great time to be outside. There are many outdoor activities your family can do together, such as bike riding. Family members of almost every age can enjoy this time together. (Many injury experts agree that the safety risk of biking for children under 1 year old is very high. Children should not ride in bike seats or trailers until they can support themselves and the weight of a helmet.)
Whether on the trails or the street, or in the driveway, it is important to always wear a bicycle helmet. There are 37 states that have helmet laws. These laws apply mostly to children under the age of 16, but safety applies to everyone.
As an adult, it is important that you start teaching your child about helmet safety. This can begin in the toddler years. Wearing bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of bicycle-related head injury by 85 percent. So it's never too early to start getting your child in the habit of wearing his helmet.
Here are some ideas on how to get your child to wear a helmet:
- Let your child be picky – Your child might not want to put on his helmet at first. He may simply refuse to wear it. Give him the job of picking out his helmet and his view may change.
- Do as you say – If you are teaching your little one about the importance of wearing his bicycle helmet, let him see you with yours on. Children learn by watching. If you practice helmet safety, your child is more likely to follow your lead.
- Talk about safety – Talk with your child about why it is important that he wears his helmet. You want him to know that the helmet will keep him safe in case of “crashing” during a ride. If your child is old enough, you may want to explain what could happen if he doesn't wear a helmet. Be sure to explain safety issues in an educational manner, not as a scare tactic.
- Encourage others – There is nothing wrong with asking your child's friends to wear bike helmets also. Talk with other parents and encourage them to tell their children about helmet safety. You can even set the rule that anyone riding with your family wears a bike helmet.
- Be Tough – It is okay to set rules for helmet safety. If the rules are broken, make sure there are consequences. If your child, other family members, or fellow bikers refuse to wear helmets, don't allow the ride to continue. No helmet, no ride. It's better to miss out on a ride than to risk anyone's safety. If you set the rules, stick to them.
- Be aware of standards – Bicycle helmets are given standards by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Make sure the helmets you are buying for you and/or your child meet these guidelines. In addition, make sure your child's helmet fits properly to provide the best protection.
- Don't forget bike safety – While bicycle helmet safety is important, so is general bicycle safety. It's important that your child understands the “rules of the road”. Just as motorists have guidelines to follow, cyclists have their own set of rules.
By following the above rules for both helmet and bicycle safety, you and your family will enjoy many bike rides together.
For more information on helmet and bicycle safety:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Safe Kids World Wide
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Body and Mind)
- Department of Transportation – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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