Health News • Bicycle Safety

Bicycling is an all-round fitness exercise. Once people learn to ride, they never lose the ability. Here in Midlothian cycling is usually a family affair.

But bicycling can be very dangerous as is evidenced by the appalling number of emergency room visits each year. Unfortunately, bicycles are a more common cause of death in children than poisonings or falls. There are steps that can be taken, however, to reduce this risk.

First buy a bike that fits. Often parents are tempted to buy a bike that is too large for their child hoping he or she will “grow into it”. Too large a bike makes the vehicle more unmanageable and is frustrating the child who is learning to ride. Proper fit means that as the rider straddles the seat, the extended leg in the lowest pedal position should be slightly bent at the knee so that when pedaling, the heels will barely make contact with the pedals. The length between the seat point and the middle of the handle bar brace should be the length of the rider’s forearm to the outstretched fingers.

Buy a hard shelled helmet with an expanded polystyrene interior and make sure your child wears it. Get one for yourself as well. The cost is nominal: $30-50. It can save you hundreds and even thousands if you avoid just one serious accident. Brightly colored ones tend to relieve the “nerd” factor. Check to see if the helmet has the American National Standards Institute Seal of Approval.

Learn the “rules of the road” and make sure your child understands that he or she must obey these rules or forfeit the right to ride. Riding with the direction of the traffic is paramount. Make sure your child can properly maneuver his bike properly before allowing him on the road with those motorized vehicles. The whole family as an example setter should obey traffic and stop signs.

Equip your child’s bicycle with proper reflectives and lights for riding at dusk or night. Bike riders should wear lightly colored clothing at night.

Avoid dinnertime rides or at least use extra caution. During this time of the day it is usually getting dark and traffic is heavier because people are in a rush to get home from work.

Know where your child is even if he or she goes for a quick ride. Let the child become used to planning a trip and estimating the time of return. A bicycle gives the child a sense of independence and you can use the privilege of bike riding as a reward for good, responsible behavior. Giving or taking away biking privileges is highly effective in behavior modification. It is almost like taking away the keys to a car for infractions of household rules. But as with the car, use this tool carefully and judiciously.

Good common sense, good self-discipline and your example as a helmeted, safe rider will keep this an exercise which is fun for your child and family.