Downloaded From: https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/pdfaccess.ashx?url=/data/gboscontainer/5/ on 03/20/2018 Terms of Use: http://solutions.aap.org/ss/terms.aspx : Myths and Facts Bicycle Safety: Myths and Facts and Myths Safety: Bicycle Fact: Myth: enoughcontroltohandbrakes. equippedalsobe withfootbrakes becauseyourchild’s handmuscles coordinationand maturenotare handlebars,thehandson ground. theboth placefeetonballsandYourchild’sthe of first bikeshould biggerneededhandlelosecontrol.mayseat,biketoandathewith on Your childsit shouldable to be Fact: Myth: (CPSC). Commission Safety Product Consumer the by use bicycle for certified helmet multisport a is it unless bike, a riding when helmet of type another wear to child your allow Never injury. of types other from head the protect to made are hats hard or helmets Other biking. Fact: Myth: habit. helmet the develop children helps times all at helmet a wearing remember, And worn. be always should and injury, serious from child your protects helmet A home. near happen crashes bike most fact, In streets. on just not paths, bike on and sidewalks, on driveways, in happen accidents Many Fact: Myth: safe. ride bike every make children your and you help will facts These riding. bike safe about children your teach to need you information correct the with coupled myths, safety bicycle common of list a is following The rules. safety bicycle basic follow to fail they when killed, even or injured, seriously are children often too all Yet freedom. and independence of symbol a and pride of source a is vehicle, first child’s a bicycle, The child. a of life the in milestone developmental a is bike a ride to Learning when they fail to signal motorists as to their intended actions. intended their to as motorists signal to fail they when or falling without signals hand use to necessary skills the have not does who child Any motorists. and cyclists between link communication important an are They street. the in ride to begin they before children Fact: bikes. their Myth: . against riding bicyclists from result collisions bicycle- of fourth one Almost drivers. Your child should always ride on the right, with traffic. Riding against traffic confuses or surprises or confuses traffic against Riding traffic. with right, the on ride always should child Your are an important part of the “Rules of the Road” and should be taught to all to taught be should and Road” the of “Rules the of part important an are signals Hand

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Children shouldn’t use hand signals, because signaling may cause them to lose control of control lose to them cause may signaling because signals, hand use shouldn’t Children It’s safer for my child to ride facing traffic. facing ride to child my for safer It’s into. grow to child my for bicycle a buy to need I helmet. bicycle a as well as just work will helmet football A neighborhood. the around rides short on helmet a wear to need doesn’t child My swerving shouldn’t be riding in the street. Many crashes involving older children occur children older involving crashes Many street. the in riding be shouldn’t swerving

(over) Myth: Bike reflectors and a reflective vest will make it safe for my child to ride at night. Fact: It’s never safe for your child to ride a bike at night. Night riding requires special skills and special equipment. Few youngsters are equipped with either. Never allow your child to ride at dusk or after dark.

Myth: I don’t need to teach my child all of this bicycle safety stuff. I was never injured as a child. Biking is just meant to be fun. Fact: Riding a bike is fun — if it’s done safely. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize hundreds of thousands of children are seriously injured each year in bicycle falls. Worse still, hundreds of children die from them each year. Although you may have been lucky enough to survive childhood without a serious bicycle-related injury, you shouldn’t count on luck to protect your child.

Teach your child these basic safety rules 1. Wear a helmet. 3. Use appropriate hand signals. 2. Ride on the right side, with traffic. 4. Respect traffic signals. Basic safety measures like these can keep bicycle riding enjoyable and safe for your child.

From Your Doctor

The information in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on the individual facts and circumstances.

HE0076 ® Revised-0801 TIPP —The Program © 1994 American Academy of Pediatrics 3-34/rep0311

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