Dr. Weatherington has been helping me with articles for Healthy Living and suggested this article on bicycle safety.

Bicycling is fun and an excellent form of aerobic exercise for all ages.  Knowing about bicycle safety can go a long way in preventing injuries and making riding more fun.  However, did you know that children ages 5 to 14 have a higher rate of bicycle injuries than older riders and bicycle injuries in younger children most often result from errors they have made?  Also children are at risk for injury no matter where they are riding.  One study found the same severity of injuries among children bicycling in their own neighborhood as older children using the bicycle as a means of transportation. 

Following simple bicycling rules are a must to be a safe rider.  Here are the basics:

• Always wear a helmet. 

• Always wear protective shoes (no bare feet or sandals). 

• Avoid riding at dusk or at night. 

• If you must ride at night, proper bicycle lights and reflective clothing are important. 

• Never carry another passenger on the bicycle. 

• Always obey stoplights and stop signs. 

• Never assume that the driver of a car sees you at an intersection.   

Helmets are very effective in reducing the risk of serious head injury or death as a result of bicycle accidents.  For children, get a bicycle helmet before they take their first bicycle ride.  Even a child riding in a bicycle carrier should wear a helmet.  For adults just make it a habit.  I recommend the following suggestions to help your child wear their helmet.  Always wear a helmet yourself when you are riding a bicycle and make an effort to ride with your child.  Allow your child to pick out his or her own helmet.  Buy some stickers to "jazz up" a helmet.  Praise your child for wearing the helmet and address their concerns when the helmet does not fit properly. 

Having the right size of bicycle is also important for safety.  Children and adults riding bicycles that are too big or too small for them are injured more often than those with the proper size of bike.  Therefore, I would discourage the temptation to buy a bicycle that your child will "grow into".  You should be able to touch both feet on the ground comfortably when standing over the bicycle.  The top bar of the bicycle should be at least 1 inch below the crotch while standing.  You should be able to reach the handlebars comfortably while sitting on the bicycle seat in an upright posture. 

Children just learning to ride on streets should use a bike with foot brakes because they require less coordination for safe use.  Children who can safely ride on roadways can use bicycles that require more coordination (such as those with hand brakes and manual gear shifts). 

You should regularly check the bicycle's brakes and tire pressure.  If the bicycle has rapid release hubs, check the hubs before each ride.  Bicycles with damaged parts such as wheels, spokes, or handlebars should be repaired before they are used again.   

 For more information on bicycle safety, contact your local bicycle shop or police station.  Information on bicycle safety is also available from www.kidshealthy.org/kids/watch/out/bike_safety.htlm .