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Biking and Your Child's Safety
Staying Safe on Their Bikes
By Julia Rosien
A bike is a vehicle and in some areas is treated as such within the law. In accidents involving bikes, the cyclist is responsible for his actions. If the cyclist is at fault, he can be charged, and if the cyclist holds a drivers license, that can be affected as well. Many schools and police forces band together and offer bike rodeo programs during school time to reinforce traffic rules. Children bring their bikes to school or visit a safety village where bikes are provided. In-class instruction is followed by outside practice to test the rules learned.
Harrington believes it is hard to instill the importance of exercising caution in young children. "Children get so wrapped up in their fun that they frequently forget to look for cars before zooming out onto the road. I don't hesitate to call them back to the door to give reminders." Mckay agrees with her: more than 70 percent of accidents involving bikes are caused by cyclist error.
There is nothing like the thrill of the open road when the snow melts and the bikes are hauled out of storage for the first time. After you've pumped up the tires and fitted the helmets, buy a bell and some reflective tape. We can't have our eyes on our children constantly but if we teach them and equip them properly, they will learn how to keep themselves safe.
