6 Things to Do Before Letting Your Kids Bike to School
Recent reports have shown that the percentage of kids riding bikes to school has plummeted in the past few decades. If, like me, you’ve lamented the statistics while reminiscing about your own elementary school glory days of two-wheeled freedom, you’re probably interested in carrying on the cycling tradition and teaching your kids to ride to school.
But before you send your beloved offspring out onto the streets for the first time, there are a few things about bike safety they should know. Here’s how to prepare your kids for back to school season on a bike.
Do a skills check
Go for a ride with your child and make sure their cycling skills and confidence are high enough for their first commute to school. Practice stopping, turning, and signaling on low-traffic roads until you’ve established your kid is ready.
Plan a low-traffic route together
Cruise your neighborhood for the perfect bike route. Once you’ve identified a good one, do a trial run from home to school together, identifying any danger zones to avoid and making sure your kid knows how to navigate four-way stops and other traffic features. If you have any trouble finding a safe, lower-traffic route, contact a bike shop to see if they any local maps that could steer you toward quieter roads.
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Make sure they know the rules of the road
Practice signaling turns, stopping at stop signs, and riding predictably with traffic. Teach your kids to stay predictable and alert while riding, keeping both hands on the handlebar and always looking ahead for obstacles.
Conduct a safety check of their bike and equipment together
Make sure he can straddle his bike frame with their feet on the ground. Check to see that the brakes are working and the tires have air. Add reflectors to your child’s bike for visibility. Make sure his or her helmet fits and is properly positioned.
Look into local resources for young cyclists
Many communities offer bike safety courses for kids. Other cities feature organized “bike trains,” which are almost like carpools for young commuting cyclists. If you can’t find local youth cycling resources online, contact an area bike shop to see what they offer—or see if they would be interested in sponsoring a program.
Make it fun
Celebrate your kid’s first ride by making bicycle-shaped cookies or with a bonus ride to the park together. You’ve just passed the torch to a new generation of little commuters!
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