Cycle safety for children :Cross Stitch – Parents

Cycling is a fun and healthy way for your child to get around, but there are dangers to be aware of. By setting a good example and making sure your child is trained and has the right clothing and equipment, you can help keep them safe.

The best way to help your child learn about road safety is to always set a good example yourself. When you’re cycling with your child you should:

• wear a cycle helmet yourself
• obey traffic signs, be considerate of other road users and not let yourself be distracted by using a mobile phone or listening to music
• encourage them to notice and discuss what they see around them on the road
• make sure they know that when they’re on the road they need to concentrate and watch out for other road users all the time
• encourage them to take their own decisions – they shouldn’t blindly follow what others are doing without making their own checks first
• practice judging speed and distance with them
• help them work out the safest routes for the journeys they make

You can help your child enjoy cycling safely by making sure they do some training. Training can start as soon as they can ride a bike, which is usually around seven to nine years old. There are different levels of training for your child as they get older.

Ask if training is available at your child’s school or follow the link below for information about Bikeability, the nationally agreed programme for cycle training. You can also find out more about training in your area from your local Road Safety Officer.

Other road users must be able to see cyclists. There are items of clothing and equipment your child can use to help them keep safe:

• get your child to wear fluorescent or light coloured clothing if they are riding during the day or in poor light
• after dark, children should wear reflective clothing, as fluorescent or light coloured clothing will not be visible

On average half of the road injuries received by cyclists are to the face and the head. Make sure your child always wears a correctly fitted helmet to protect against head injuries should they fall. It should be worn correctly, which means it:

• is positioned squarely on their head, sitting just above the eyebrows and not tilted back or tipped forwards
• must be a snug fit
• should not stop them seeing clearly or cover their ears
• has its straps securely fastened and not twisted, with only enough room for two fingers between their chin and the strap

The advice above applies just as much, or even more to teenagers, as they are more likely to be cycling on main roads. They are also the age group most unlikely to wear helmets and more likely to be using mobile phones or listening to music through headphones. Remind them to always pay attention and not get distracted, and to not show off to those around them.

Getting trained and looking after their bike is vital if they are to be safer on the road.