Kids on Bikes

Another school year has officially wrapped up here in Austin, and the rest of the Country will be letting out any week now.  With the arrival of summer holidays, comes a whole lot of kids outside on bikes....at least we hope they opt for being outside as opposed to sitting on the couch playing video games.

It's a good time to remind everyone to pay more attention out on the road and be aware of kids darting into traffic either on foot or on bike.  Being proactive and aware, can go a long way.

For all of the kids out there on bikes this summer, we wanted to provide some bicycle saftety tips to make sure you have the best (and safest) summer ever.

Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet.  The first thing you should always do before pedaling off on your bike is to make sure you've got your helmet on.  Also be sure to have a helmet that fits you right.  For more information on how to ensure a proper fit, check out "Easy Steps to a Properly Fitting Helmet".


Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit.  When buying a new bike, be sure to have the bike shop properly adjust the bike to fit your child.  If you've already got a bike for them, make sure that it still fits them properly this summer after a winter of continuous growing.  Read this to ensure a proper fit.

Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work.
See and Be Seen. The more visible your child is to the traffic around them, the better.  This is even more important when kids are cycling in high traffic areas.

Control Your Bicycle. It's fun to go no hands and do tricks, but it's really important to maintain control of your bike....and this means at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards.  Unfortunately there are things like pothots, broken glass, gravel, and water on the road.  All of these things can cause problems when out on your bike, so be sure to educate your kids on how to avoid and deal with hazzards.

Avoid Riding at Night. If possible, try to keep your kids off the road at night.  It's difficult to see cyclists when it's dark outside and when you're on a bike at night it is difficult to see any hazzards that might be out there.  If they must ride at night, be sure to install a good headlight and reflectors on their bike.

Have a great summer.  Get out on your bike...have fun....and be safe.