Bicycle Safety for Kids
Each year, about 400,000 children under the age of 15 are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries. An additional 300 children are killed. Bicyclists ages 5 through 14 have among the highest injury rates of all riders.About one-third of the injuries and two-thirds of the deaths are head-related.
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission
A helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.Safe Kids Worldwide
Whether you're commuting, enjoying a leisurely ride, or exercising, following these 8 safety tips can help keep your journey safe and enjoyable.
1. Wear a Helmet
It's not enough to just wear a helmet - it has to be worn properly. ALWAYS wear a properly fitted helmet, no matter how short your ride. It's your best protection against serious head injuries in the event of a fall or collision.
2. Obey Traffic Laws
Bicycles are vehicles too—and riders must follow the same traffic rules as drivers. Stop at red lights and stop signs, yield to pedestrians, signal your turns, and always ride with the flow of traffic.
Click here for Colorado Bicycling Laws
3. Be Visible
Make yourself stand out, especially in low-light conditions. Wear bright or reflective clothing and use front and rear bike lights, along with reflectors, to ensure visibility from all directions.
4. Stay Alert
Keep your eyes—and mind—on the road. Avoid distractions like texting or wearing headphones, and stay prepared for sudden changes, such as vehicles backing out of driveways or pedestrians stepping into the bike lane.
5. Use Bike Lanes and Paths
Ride in designated bike lanes or shared-use paths whenever possible. These routes are designed to keep cyclists safer by separating them from motor vehicle traffic.
6. Be Predictable
Signal your intentions clearly and early. Use hand signals for turning and stopping, and avoid weaving between lanes or making sudden moves that drivers or other cyclists can’t anticipate.
7. Check Your Bike Regularly
Before each ride, inspect your bike for safety. Check brakes, tire pressure, and lights. Make sure your chain is lubricated and all components are secure and functioning properly.
8. Be Mindful of Weather
Weather affects both your bike’s performance and how others see you. Slow down on wet or windy days, use extra caution in low visibility, and dress appropriately for the conditions.
E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS
E-bikes and E-scooters have experienced a rapid rise in popularity - especially among our youth. This popularity has created a new risk that safety laws haven't yet caught up to. Anecdotally, ER Doctors around the country are begging parents to forego these dangerous gifts, or at least require their children wear a helmet to ride.
"Injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased nearly 21% in 2022 from 2021... Children 14 years and younger accounted for about 36% of micromobility injuries from 2017 to 2022." (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)).
Collisions with motor vehicles are the leading hazard for E-Bikes, but single-accidents and "lost control" issues are a close second.
- ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding. Consider that most helmets were built to a protection standard when bikes moved much slower. In contrast, the NTA 8776 standard was developed in 2016 and is specifically designed for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph. Make sure your child's helmet meets this standard at a minimum.
- Check for Damage. Before riding, check every part of your device for damage.
- BE SEEN. E-Bikes and E-Scooters are small, often quiet, and move quickly - making it incredibly difficult for drivers to spot you. This is also a newer form of transportation, so drivers aren't trained to look out for these riders yet.
* Assume that drivers and pedestrians do not see you.
* Use the bell/horn to alert others.
* Be predictable - Do not make abrupt movements drivers won't be able to anticipate.
- Limit only one person per scooter or bike. Additional riders can increase the risk and severity of collisions.
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These fires often start in the garage due to unsafe charging practices of Lithium-Ion devices. Items that use Lithium-Ion Batteries are efficient and powerful, but if damaged or misused, they can overheat, catch fire, or explode. This includes E-Bikes and E-Scooters.
