Four Bicycle Safety Tips for Parents
Bicycles are a great form of fun, exercise, and ever transportation for children. At the same time, bikes can also be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 475,000 people are injured in bicycle accidents every year.
Alarmingly, public safety experts note that children are disproportionately affected by bicycle accidents. The good news is that there are steps parents can take to help ensure that their children are kept safe. Here, our Miami bicycle accident attorneys offer four bicycle safety tips for South Florida parents.
- Proper Training and Supervision is a Must
First and foremost, parents must make sure that their child is properly trained and supervised. It takes time to learn to ride a bike safely. Parents need to teach their children skills and safety habits. In addition, proper supervision is a must. Young children should not be allowed to ride a bike alone—particularly on public streets.
- All Riders Should Wear a Bike Helmet—No Exceptions
Bicycle helmets prevent brain injuries and save lives. Riders should always wear a helmet. Parents need to teach the importance of helmet safety while their children are still young. If you catch your child riding without a helmet, you should take immediate action to address the problem—potentially including restricting their riding privileges. One of the best things that parents can do to get their child to wear a bike helmet is to model good behavior. When a young child sees a parent wearing a helmet, they will be more likely to do so without resistance.
- Regularly Inspect Your Child’s Bicycle
You do not want to let your child ride a dangerous or damaged bike. It is a best practice to conduct regular inspection of the bicycle. Among other things, a bicycle inspection should include the following:
- Confirm the handlebars are secure;
- Confirm the seat is fully secure; and
- Make sure that the tires are properly inflated.
If you notice any problems with your child’s bike, you should address the matter. A child is far more likely to get into an accident if they are using a damaged or defective bicycle.
- Keep Young Children Away from Traffic
Finally, it is best to help young children find a protected place to ride that is away from traffic. Although bicycle accident injuries can occur in many different ways, the single greatest safety threat comes from automobiles. When young children are learning to ride, parents should take proactive steps to limit their interactions with moving traffic. Unfortunately, not all drivers take proper care around bicyclists.
Contact Our Miami, FL Bike Accident Injury Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Florida personal injury attorneys have the skills, experience, and knowledge to handle bicycle accident claims. If your child was injured while riding a bike, we are here to help. Call us now for a free, completely confidential consultation. With legal offices in Miami and West Palm Beach, we handle personal injury cases throughout South Florida.
Resource:
cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmotorvehiclesafety%2Fbicycle%2Findex.html
