Be safe when riding a bicycle by wearing a helmet, closed-in shoes and bright clothing. Fit bicycles with reflectors, flags and lights. Bicycles need to be kept in good condition with regular safety checks.
It is essential to develop riding skills. Ride in designated areas such as bike paths when possible. Children should be at least ten years of age before gaining permission to ride on the road.
Helmets
Cyclists must wear helmets when riding. When choosing a helmet, proper fitting is essential to prevent head injury. Choose only an approved helmet which carries the Standards Australia mark.
There are three different types of approved helmets: a foam helmet with a hard plastic shell, a foam helmet with a thin plastic shell and a foam helmet with a removable cloth cover.
The fitting of bicycle helmets is important. Ask for assistance when deciding upon the size and adjustment of the helmet.
It is important to wear bicycle helmets correctly. Position the helmet so that it protects the forehead and tighten the straps so that they are both firm and comfortable.
Choose a helmet which is not too heavy and provides good ventilation.
Bike seats
Bicycle seats for children are becoming popular. Bicycle seats provide for easy transportation of children while parents enjoy all the benefits of riding. There are many safety considerations to be made when planning such an activity.
When choosing a child bicycle seat, look for safety features such as moulded leg supports to protect the feet from spokes, head and neck support, feet straps and spoke shields to prevent fingers and toes catching in the spokes.
Make sure the seat has a harness which is fitted securely each time you place the child in the seat.
The child should weigh no more than 22kgs and should be over 12 months of age.
Do not ride for long periods, especially in hot weather. Use sunscreen and a hat for your child and take plenty of drinks.
Choose a light, well ventilated helmet for the child.
Maintenance
Bicycle safety mainly depends upon the skills of the cyclist. However we need to make sure that brakes, wheels, pedals, bearings and chains work properly so that the bike will perform in an emergency.
Bicycles require regular safety checks and maintenance which everyone can be involved in. Sometimes it will be necessary to have a professional bicycle repairer look at the bike.
The most important thing to check on a bike is the brakes.
Each time a bike is ridden, 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.
Repair any problems (or do not use the bike until repaired) as soon as you notice them. If something goes wrong when you are riding, you could crash.
BikeEd
'BikeEd' is a bicycle safety education course for young people between 9 and 13 years of age. Ask whether your school offers BikeEd.
The BikeEd course has four major components: classroom activities, riding skills, on-road riding and an on-road test.
BikeEd includes teaching correct bicycle selection, equipment and practical on-road cycling skills.
A safe and responsible attitude to on-road bicycling is developed as students learn traffic skills for riding on the roads.
Children who successfully complete the on-road test are awarded the BikeEd certificate. |
