By Amy Wadsworth Public Information Coordinator Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties
Teaching your children bike safety is important to reduce the risk of injury. Wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road, be visible, and share the road.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration helmets can prevent head injuries and also increase rider visibility. Head injuries are the primary cause of death and disabling injuries resulting from cycling accidents.
When riding a bike you must obey traffic laws. Teach your children that they should always ride with the traffic. They should also be visible to pedestrians, motorists and other cyclists. Wear light colored clothing, bright orange, lime green and yellow are good choices. Even better is clothing made from reflective materials. Jackets, vests, wristbands and triangular patches that are reflective help increase visibility.
Bikes are much smaller and slower than motor vehicles, so cyclists need to be more alert than drivers. Make sure that cars see you. Make eye contact, smile, wave or use hand signals. That will help keep the roads safe. Watch out for hazards such as storm grates, potholes and gravel.
Tips from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute:
• Kids must learn to stop, look left and right and left again and listen for a car before entering a street • Tell your children to obey stop signs • Tell your children to check behind them before turning, swerving or changing lanes • You must replace a helmet if you cannot adjust it correctly or if it is outdated
The Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties is your local Smart Start agency. For more information about us and our programs call us at 704-922-0900 or visit us online at www.pfclg.com.
By Amy Wadsworth 
