Bike riding can be fun
for the whole family but it needs to be enjoyed safely.
Bicycle safety involves developing riding skills, wearing
the right protective gear and looking after your bike. Parents
should teach their children about cycling safety and caring
for their bike.
Cycling safely
To help your child become
a safe cyclist, let them have lots of practice on safe paths
while offering tips on bike handling. Basically, they should
be able to ride in a straight line, brake properly and corner
safely.
Ride in designated areas
such as bike paths when possible. By law, children can ride
on the footpath up to the age of 12. Find out if your child's
school offers Bike Ed, which teaches children about road
safety and cycling skills.
Helmets are compulsory
It is compulsory to wear
helmets when riding a bike in Victoria. This law applies
on roads, bike paths, bike lanes, shared and segregated
footways, and other public places such as recreational parks
and car parks. Make sure that your child always wears a
helmet when riding.
Your
child's helmet should be:
- Approved
- make sure the helmet carries the Standards
Australia mark.
- The right size and fitted correctly
- the helmet should be comfortable and not too
tight or loose. Caps should not be worn under
helmets as they ruin the fit - wear a visor
over the helmet to protect you from the sun.
Choose a helmet that is not too heavy and provides
good ventilation.
- Positioned on the head properly
- the helmet should sit level on the head, covering
the forehead with the rim just above the eyebrows.
The straps should be correctly adjusted and
the buckle securely fastened. The straps should
form a 'V' shape with the plastic strap guide
sitting just under the ear lobe. The buckle
should be close up under your chin.
- Kept in good condition -
if the helmet hits an object or the road, you
should replace it. Don't leave a helmet exposed
to direct sunlight when not in use, make sure
the foam is not old and crumbling, and clean
it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Choosing a bike that
suits the rider
Having the right size bike
for your body plays a big part in safe cycling. A bike that's
too big for your child is dangerous - kids don't 'grow into'
bikes or helmets. To test for size, stand your child over
the bicycle with both feet on the ground. For medium or
lightweight bikes, there should be at least 2cm between
the crotch and the crossbar (or where the crossbar would
be if the bike had one). For BMX and mountain bikes, there
should be at least 5cm between crotch and crossbar.
Make sure all controls
are within easy reach and comfortable to use, and that the
seat can be adjusted. If you buy a secondhand bike, make
sure that it is serviced properly.
Using bicycle seats for
children
Bicycle seats for children
are becoming popular. To be safe, you need to:
- Choose a seat with moulded leg supports
(to protect the child's feet from spokes), head and neck
support, feet straps and spoke shields.
- Make sure it has a harness which is
fitted securely each time you place the child in the seat.
- Ride for short periods only, especially
in hot weather. Use sunscreen and a hat for your child
and take plenty of drinks.
- Use seats only for children who are
over 12 months of age and weigh less than 22kg.
Caring for your bike
You need to make sure that
your bike and your child's bike are well maintained. Regularly
check brakes, wheels, pedals, bearings and chains so that
the bike will stop quickly in an emergency. Each time you
ride the bike, check if the tyres are hard, if the brakes
work and whether there are any rattles. Check the tyres,
bearings, gears, nuts and bolts, and lubricate the chain
and cables each week.
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