Play Safe: Bikes

Since the dawn of the 20th century, people have had a love affair with bikes. While bikes were originally toys for adults, today more children than adults ride bikes, as they remain their fastest, easiest mode of transportation.

The first line of defense in bike safety is the condition of the bike itself. Many children get hand-me-down bikes, and even those that are new are often assembled incorrectly. Before allowing any child to ride a bike for the first time, check all nuts and bolts for tightness. Check brake pads for wear and for correct operation. Make sure the tires are in good condition, as bald tires are just as likely to cause mishaps as they would on an automobile.

Once the bike is in good working order, then it is time to assess the user's skill level. Beginners, as well as advanced users, should always wear helmets when riding. In fact, many states now require helmet use and children can be ticketed by local law enforcement if they are not wearing one.

Beginners should ride on sidewalks, paths and other areas where loss of control will not result in a fall into traffic. Empty parking lots are good for practice. Even seasoned users, when riding a new bike, can find themselves at risk when brake handles are in different locations and the balance of the bike is different.

Make sure the bike fits the child. A bike that is too large or too small can lead to crashes. A good rule of thumb is to have the child straddle the bike and plant both feet firmly on the ground. The seat should not be too much higher than the back side of the standing child, and any bars running from the seat to the handlebars should not be so high as to cause injury if the child should have to hop off the seat unexpectedly. When pedaling, the child should have his leg extended with his foot flat on the pedal at the lowest part of the rotation. If the child has to extend his foot into a point in order to maintain contact with the pedal, then lower the seat or get a bike with a smaller frame. v Kids can be really hard on bikes - especially when trying to emulate BMX tricks. For this reason, nuts and bolts should be inspected as they will naturally come loose.

Accidents occur every year when children's clothing becomes entangled in the bike chain. Install a chain guard over the chain or purchase an elastic band that will keep pant legs away.

It is important for kids to know that once they are on a bike, they are drivers, just like those in cars. As drivers, they must obey the rules of the road. For instance, if there is a stop sign, it is a stop sign for everyone on wheels, not just cars.

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