During the summer months, our children probably spend more time outside than they do during any other time of the year. There are so many activities in which they can become involved in and opportunities that sunshine, less rain, and warmer weather provide.
I was a little caught off guard the other day when Lily started riding her bicycle without training wheels. Yes, I know the next stage after training wheels is removing them and riding the bike without them, but I wasn’t ready just yet. My summer plans of early morning walks before the daily beating from the sun begins has now been replaced with the plans of not one, but three eager and very adventurous children who have hung up their walking shoes and replaced them for bike pedals and two wheels. I now need a new pair of running shoes for more reasons other than needing to tone up a few muscles. Sometimes, I have to run along side of them just to keep up.
It warms my heart every time I see parents out with their children for a family bike ride. It also spikes my brain how many times I see parents, who probably fought with their children to get them to wear their helmet, are riding protectively around their children with nothing on their own heads protecting them. I know as parents, we may know a little more than our children, are bigger, stronger and faster, but their heads are made out of the same matter and material. If they get hit or fall and are not wearing a helmet, then a head injury is a probable for them too. Why don’t they realize it?
Most of our riding, at least for now, will be in our neighborhood. It’s quiet (they can hear me yelling STOP), safe (low vehicle travel), and there are not a lot of hills they have to navigate (got the pedaling down, just have to work on braking). Despite these facts, they are riding on roads where *”nearly 60 percent of all childhood bicycle-related deaths occur with a motor vehicle.” *Many of these crashes occur “within one mile of the bicyclist’s home.” As a mother, that is very scary. All it takes is a distracted driver or bicyclist and injury or death can occur.
Believe it or not, there are 29 states that have NO law for helmet use by bicyclists. You can see here how your state governs helmet use. I went to high school with a girl who died from a head injury resulting from a motorcycle accident. She was a passenger and this was before helmets were required for anyone riding a motorcycle (driver or passenger) in California. Maybe, bicycle helmets will be eventually be required in all states as is buckling up behind the wheel or while riding in a car.
Here are few suggestions for safe cycling with your children:
1. No helmet (or shoes)? No bicycle riding! This also holds true for Canyon who is two. He may be close to the ground when riding and would have a shorter fall, but I want him to get use to the “bike rules” of our house. I started Lily and River the same way. Lily often points out to me bike riders on the road without helmets. My children know to “gear up” before getting on their bikes.
2. Be sure the helmet you purchase is certified. It will have a label indicating it meets the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Although used helmets are available for purchase, if you can afford to buy a new helmet, then do so. Just as with a used car seat, you never really know the real history. Also, a certified and affordable helmet can be purchased at Target, etc.
3. Wear the helmet properly. You read the stats about inproper car seat installation, well, it’s the same with helmet wearing. Most kids (adults too) wear them incorrectly. Be sure when you purchase a helmet that it fits to use now. It is not good to buy one that your child can grow into. It should fit securely on the user’s head.
4. Take care of your helmet. Make sure your children understand that their helmet is a tool and not a toy. Find a place to store your helmet where it will be safe from getting smashed or bent by heavy objects. For now, we’re storing ours on shelves. Just like car seats, they need to be replaced if cracked, damaged, or in an accident. In this case, I don’t recycle or refurbish helmets.
5. Go over these basic safety rules with your children before hitting the road. It will help them become familiar with bike etiquette as well as be a great refresher for you too. Make it fun using this Bicycle Safety Activity Kit.
Whether you’re a parent or not, do the right thing and protect yourself. Wear a helmet. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get hurt, but you will reduce your chances of becoming an injury statistic. Now, get outside, hit the road, or just ride around in circles.
What’s the bikeability of your neighborhood?
