Whenever a loved one is on the road, you want them to be safe, including when they’re riding a bicycle. Teen bicycle safety is important because it begins to teach them the rules of the road they’ll need to know when they get their driver’s license. The rules of the road are generally the same for bicyclists as it is for other vehicles on the road.
Teach your teen that the best way to remain safe while riding a bicycle is to be predictable in your actions, to be visible by using reflective clothing, and to communicate what you intend to do to the motorists around you. Have your teen familiarize themselves with the rules of the road handbook so they know how to signal by hand.
Be sure the bike your teen will be riding is the right size and that it is properly adjusted. They should have reflectors on the spokes and a red rear reflector on the bicycle so they can be easily seen at night. It is also a good idea to wear a white headlight to be seen, regardless of how stupid your teen thinks it makes them look.
Most bikes can be equipped with a rack over the rear wheel. If your teen’s bike doesn’t have one, you may want to have one added. This will allow them to carry items such as books or a backpack. They should always carry a basic tool kit just in case they have problems with their bike.
Remind your teen to wear a bicycle helmet whenever they plan to take a bike ride. While they may not like the helmet, it is required by law for everyone under the age of eighteen.
Here are some other rules of the road that they’ll need to follow:
* Always ride with the traffic flow.
* If you ride with others, you should ride in a straight line.
* Unless you are turning left, you should always stay to the right side of the road.
* You are required to stop at stop signs and all red lights. You can continue once the light has changed to green.
* Keeping a safe distance from parked cars is also important. This will keep the cyclist from colliding with you.
* Be sure to use proper hand signals when turning, stopping or changing lanes.
* If you’re riding while it’s raining, use extra caution and allow extra time to stop on the wet roads.
* Bicycles should cross railroad tracks at a right angle.
* When you reach a crosswalk, get off your bike and walk it across.
* Hearing is important while riding a bicycle. Therefore, don’t wear headphones on both ears while riding your bike. It will be distracting and could be a contributing factor in having an accident.
* As with driving a car, never drink and ride your bike.
* Ride defensively and pay attention to what is going on around you.
* Even though you’re not as large as a car or truck, it is important to always give pedestrians the right of way.
Teen bicycle safety may be an afterthought once your teen starts to learn to drive a car. That’s not the time to let safety take a backseat, however. Remind them that they should treat any time they’re riding a bike on the road as if it were a car. The rules of the road are the same so they should know what the rules are and obey them.
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