Bicycling safety for kids in Springfield Missouri Bicycle Accident Lawyer
With the days getting longer and summer vacation on the horizon, it’s important that we all do our duty to keep kids safe. Whether it slowing down to keep an eye out for the neighbor kids playing outside and being a little bit more careful when driving through residential areas, we can all do our part in making sure that accidents don’t happen.
Bicycling is an activity that the whole family can join in on. It’s one of my favorite hobbies. But bicycling can be dangerous for kids if they are not taught how to bike safely. That’s why we’re here to offer you a few reminders before sending them on their helmeted way:
Understand their limitations
- They cannot use their peripheral vision as adults do.
- They do not naturally use sound to identify the direction from which traffic is coming.
- They rely solely on their vision.
- They don’t understand traffic situations.
- Kids are easily distracted and cannot control impulses well.
- Kids will depend on adults to keep them safe.
- Know their abilities – Each child and each age group have different abilities.
Begin pointing out the rules of the road immediately, even if they are just a passenger on your bike.
Some essential rules are:
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Obey all traffic laws.
- Stop and look both ways before entering traffic.
- Walk your bike across busy intersections.
- Watch for cars entering the road from driveways or parking spots.
- Use hand signals and look all directions before turning.
- Ride predictably – do not swerve suddenly.
- Ride single file on the right.
- Never ride at night or at dusk. If you’re out late, call for a ride.
- Wear bright colored clothing.
- Never wear headphones or eat while riding.
- Put anything you need to carry in a backpack so your hands are free.
- Always keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
- Do not let passengers ride on your bike.
- Don’t do something just because your friends are.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Get the right equipment.
- Make sure the bike and helmet fit properly.
- Equip the bike with front and rear lights, reflectors for pedals and wheels and a bell or horn.
- Do regular safety checks.