Bike Safe - A bicycle safety initiative of Manitoba Public Insurance
Bike Safety For Your Kids
Bicycle riding is a terrific activity for children and a great opportunity for families to be active together. It's fun, gets us outdoors and builds strong, healthy bodies.
But before your children put their feet to the pedal, you need to make sure they have the necessary skills to do so safely. Read on to find out what you need to know to keep your children safe on their bicycles.
Watch this video about tips on how to teach your child to ride a bike.
The facts about child bicycling
- According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 88 per cent of Canadian children owned a bicycle in 2004.
- Most cycling injuries to children are due to the high speeds reached by riders, lack of experience in controlling the bicycle and lack of protective gear.
- A child's riding behaviour and road safety skills are found to be a factor in more than 50 per cent of cycling deaths
- Each year, bike collisions with automobiles kill about nine children in Canada and result in over 800 hospitalizations, some to intensive care.
- Head injuries are the cause of 80 per cent of child cycling deaths and 28 per cent of child hospital admissions for cycling injuries. Even seemingly minor head injuries can cause permanent brain damage.
- The most common children's bicycle injury is a broken bone.
- Most children who are seriously injured or killed are hit by a motor vehicle.
The good news is that these deaths and injuries are preventable
- Make sure that you and your children wear an approved, properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride. A bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by more than 85 per cent.
- Frequently ride with your child and model proper behaviour. Practice road safety rules and obey all traffic laws.
- Teach your child proper hand signals.
- Adult supervision of child cyclists is essential until you're sure your child has good traffic skills and judgment. Before allowing your children to ride alone, ensure that they understand the rules and display safe riding techniques.
- Keep brakes and other parts in good working order.
- Poor visibility adds to the risk of a collision between a bicycle and a car. When cycling, children should wear easy to see, bright clothing.
- Children should not ride a bicycle at night or in other low-light conditions (e.g., when it's foggy). If riding at night is unavoidable, the bicycle should be equipped with lights and reflectors, and children should wear bright coloured, reflective clothing.
- Make sure that your child's bicycle is the right size for them. See sizing guide (below) or go to a local bicycle shop for more information.
Sizing a Child's Bicycle
Sizing of a child's bicycle is different than sizing for an adult. As a general rule of thumb, the sizing of bicycles for children is based on their age and inseam measurement.
- Children aged 2-4 with a height of 26-34" and an inseam measurement of 14-17" should ride a bicycle with a wheel size of 12".
- Children aged 4-8 with a height of 34-42" and an inseam measurement of 16-22" should ride a bicycle with a wheel size of 14"or 16". (e.g. taller kids should have a bicycle with larger wheels and may even need the 18" wheel).
- Children aged 6-9 with a height of 42-48" and an inseam measurement of 20-24" should have a bicycle with 18" wheels.
- Children aged 8+ with a height of 48+"and an inseam of 20+" should have a bicycle with 20" wheels or larger.
Helmet use:
- Never allow your children to ride without helmets. And always remember: you are your child's best role model, so ensure you wear a helmet when you ride.
- Make sure your children are wearing an approved helmet. Helmets sold in Canada are certified by CSA (Canadian Standards Association), CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), Snell or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).
- Helmets should be bright in colour and fit snugly.The helmet should sit level on the head covering the forehead with the rim just above the eyebrows.
- If your child's helmet is more than five years old or has been hit hard by any object, it should be replaced.
- See Equipment and safety gear – helmets for more information.
For more information:
Visit Safe Kids Canada or call 1-888-SAFE-TIPS (723-3847)
If you wish to download a PDF of the "I Cycle Safely" booklet, please click here.
