| Children depend on their parents for guidance and | | | | see bicyclists in the dark. Drivers are also more likely to |
| protection. As parents, it is crucial that we provide our | | | | drive faster at night when there is less traffic, limiting |
| children with a safe environment in which they can | | | | their reaction time. Furthermore, the prevalence of |
| grow and play. This can be done by child-proofing our | | | | drunk drivers increases during the evening. For these |
| homes, placing our children in a proper booster seat, or | | | | reasons, it is important that you do not let your child |
| teaching them to look both ways before they cross | | | | ride their bicycles after nightfall until they are more |
| the street. When it comes to playtime, parents need to | | | | experienced cyclists. |
| teach their children how to exercise and be active in a | | | | 3.) RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS STILL POSE |
| safe manner. Children are anxious to learn to ride their | | | | RISKS. Many parents fall into the trap of thinking their |
| bikes so they can play with their friends and enjoy | | | | children are completely safe if they are cycling in |
| their evenings after school. It is the parents' responsibly | | | | residential neighborhoods. However, this complacency |
| to research proper safety guidelines to teach their | | | | can lead to disaster. Yes, residential neighborhoods are |
| children before allowing them to ride on their own. Here | | | | safer than busy commuter streets, but they do still |
| are four safety measures that will help keep your child | | | | pose a serious threat your child. Cars traveling at 25 |
| safe. | | | | mph through residential streets can still cause serious |
| 1.) DO NOT PURCHASE A BICYCLE FOR YOUR | | | | injuries to bicyclists in an accident. Be sure to teach |
| CHILD TO GROW INTO. The rate at which kids grow | | | | your children to obey all traffic laws and to be on |
| can be a bit restraining on their parents' budget as their | | | | guard no matter how busy or quiet the street may be. |
| children quickly grow out of their shoes and clothes. It | | | | 4.) RIDE WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. Many |
| is tempting to buy a larger bicycle for your child to | | | | children may question this rule, assuming it is safer to |
| grow into in an effort to save money. However, kids | | | | ride facing the traffic, as they feel safer being able to |
| have less control over bikes that are too big for them. | | | | see oncoming traffic. However, this is highly dangerous |
| They are more likely to wobble and swerve, which | | | | and accounts for 25% of all bicycle accidents. |
| can lead to a potential crash. Your children should have | | | | Motorists are not expecting bicyclists to ride against |
| bikes that fit them, even if that means you will have to | | | | the flow of traffic and are less aware of bicyclists in |
| purchase a large bike down the road. A basic rule for | | | | that situation. In addition, most motorists do not look for |
| the right size bike is to find one that your child is able to | | | | oncoming traffic at intersections, creating a dangerous |
| stand over with both feet flat on the ground. | | | | situation if the cyclist is riding against the flow of traffic. |
| 2.) DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD RIDE AT NIGHT. | | | | Teach your children to always ride on the right-hand |
| Bicycling is far more dangerous during the night for | | | | side of the road. |
| several reasons. First, it is more difficult for motorists to | | | | |