Our Handy Guide to Kids Bike Safety

Riding a bike is a great way for kids to stay active and have fun, but there are risks if proper safety measures are not taken. That's why we've created this handy guide to kids bike safety.

In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know to keep your child safe while they're riding their bike, from choosing the right helmet to understanding traffic laws. Whether your child is a seasoned rider or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the information you need to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable biking experience.

Cycling With Young Children

When it comes to cycling with young children, there are a few extra precautions that parents should take to ensure their child's safety. 

First and foremost, make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and activity. This includes wearing comfortable breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a properly fitting helmet. 

Before each ride, check that your child's bike fits them properly and that all the bike's functions, such as brakes and gears, are working correctly. Also check that the tyres are sufficiently inflated. 

Additionally, if you plan to cycle with your child after dark, it's crucial to have appropriate lighting on your bike and your child's bike, such as front and rear lights and reflective clothing. 

Finally, when cycling on the road with your child, it’s best if your child leads and you cycle a bike length behind. That way you can watch your child at all times and call out instructions. You can also position yourself between your child and traffic if need be. It's a good idea to teach your child hand signals for turning and stopping so that they can communicate with other cyclists and drivers. At Bike Club we offer kids road bikes for those children that have a passion for road cycling. 

Road Safety Rules for Kids

It is worth educating your children with some basic road safety rules from The Highway Code. This provides a set of rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of cyclists on the road.

Some of the key points include wearing a helmet, using lights and reflectors at night, obeying traffic signals and signs, and signalling when turning or stopping. 

Cyclists are also advised to ride in the direction of traffic, stay visible, and leave enough space for passing vehicles. Also instruct your children on when to give way, to be aware of other road users, and to take appropriate precautions when sharing the road with them.

Cycle training is available for children to help develop their cycling ability. Many schools now offer Bikeability courses, which aim to teach kids road awareness, control, and confidence when riding. 

Our Top Tips For Cycling with Children

Here are our top tips for kids bike safety at a glance:

• Choose a safe route that's suitable for your child's skill level
• Ensure that your child's bike is properly fitted and in good condition, with functioning brakes, lights, and reflectors
• Make sure your child wears a properly fitting helmet
• Teach your child how to signal when turning or stopping
• Ride in a predictable manner, and position yourself behind your child 
• Consider enrolling your child in a training program, such as Bikeability
• Bring snacks, water, and sunscreen for longer rides
• Encourage your child to have fun and enjoy the experience!

Frequently Questions About Kids Bike Safety

How do I keep my child safe on a bike?

To keep your child safe on a bike, ride with them and teach them about road safety until you are confident they are ready to go solo. Make sure they are wearing a helmet and are aware of road traffic rules. 

Can a 10 year old ride a bike on the road?

Whether or not a 10-year-old can ride a bike on the road depends on several things, including the child's experience and maturity level, the road conditions, and the traffic volume. In general, 10-year-olds should not ride on busy roads or in areas with heavy traffic.

It would be better for them to stick to quieter roads or designated bike paths that are appropriate for their skill level. However with parental supervision, an experienced 10-year-old can safely enjoy cycling on the road.

Can a 5 year old learn how to ride a bike without stabilisers?

While every child is different, most 5-year-olds are capable of learning how to ride a bike without stabilisers. Start them off on a balance bike, or a larger bike that can have the pedals removed. Balance bikes are powered by the child’s legs instead of pedals, and helps them learn the basics of cycling without stabilisers. 

With the right bike and support, many 5-year-olds can learn to ride a bike without training wheels and enjoy the fun and freedom that comes with cycling.

How should a child sit on a bike?

For a balance bike, the child should be able to sit on the seat with their feet flat on the ground. 

For the correct riding position on pedal bikes, they should be able to sit on the bike's saddle and have their tip toes touch the ground. When they start pedalling, their knees should be slightly bent, but not so much that they feel cramped or uncomfortable. The handlebars should be at a comfortable height, allowing the child to sit up straight and grip the bars without straining.

It's also important to ensure that the child's weight is evenly distributed on the bike, with their bottom centred on the seat and their hands lightly holding the handlebars. By ensuring that your child is sitting comfortably and in a balanced position on their bike, you can help them feel more confident and in control while cycling.

Premium Kids Bikes With Bike Club

Cycling is great for getting the children out and about and also comes with a range of benefits. 

With our monthly kids bike subscription service, you can make sure your little one always has a great bike that fits properly. It is important that your child’s bike fits like a glove so that it’s comfortable to ride and easier to control. You can sign up to Bike Club today and have access to a range of premium kids bikes including children’s road bikes.