Bicycle Safety

Wearing a helmet won't guarantee safety ...it will reduce the risk of a preventable injury or death. Courtesy of Safe Kids Canada

Bicycle Safety Tips

• Obey the rules of the road and all the traffic signs.
  • Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
  • Ride on the right hand side of the road.
  • Look over your shoulder before signaling and turning.
  • Walk across the road with the bike. Look left, look right, then left again before crossing.
• Make sure that the child is riding a bike that fits and is in good working order (it is not safe to buy a big bike with the idea that the child will grow into it). The child should be able to touch the ground with the toes of one foot while sitting on the seat without leaning the bike.
• Make sure the bike is serviced and that it is equipped with a bell/horn and a red rear reflector and a front white light (for night cycling). Note: The bell/horn, reflector and white light are all required by law.
• In Ontario, helmets are the law for children under 18 years of age. No matter what the price of the helmet is, as long as it is Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved, it's effective.
• Children under nine years of age often don't have the skills to cycle safely on the road. They should be supervised by a responsible adult when cycling .
• A driveway is an intersection. Children should be taught to:
  • Stop before entering the road.
  • Look left, then right, then left again.
  • If there is no traffic, then proceed.
• In general the safest place to cycle is on the road where motorists can see the cyclist. However, because children under nine years of age have not fully developed their skills, a responsible adult should:
  • Be with the child as he/she cycles on the sidewalk.
  • Teach the child to stop and check for possible danger spots.
  • Teach the child to respect pedestrians on the sidewalk.
• When encountering a train or railroad tracks children should be taught to:
  • Look, listen and approach carefully.
  • Take their time.
  • NEVER, NEVER try to race the train.
  • If the warning equipment is activated or they hear a train -- STOP -- stay behind the gates or at least 5 meters from the nearest rail if there are no gates.
  • Cross only when it is safe to do so.

There are bike courses available for both children and adults. To ensure safe cycling, it may be a good idea to take a course. Call the Canadian Cycling Association at 613-748-5692 for more information.

Children should be helped to learn that a bicycle should be regarded as a road vehicle, and that they are responsible for their own bikes, and must make good and safe decisions for themselves.

For more information please call 1-888 SAFE TIPS

Sources:
1) Canadian Cycling Association
2) Canadian Pacific Police