For safety:Always watch your child while riding his/her bicycle:

Children under 9 should always ride their bicycles under the surveillance of their parents. Children falling under this age group are not skilled enough to ride their bicycles alone.

Teach them rules:

Before letting your children riding their bicycles alone make sure that they understand the road rules.

Teach them the dangers of motorized vehicle roads:

Children should know that roads for motorized vehicles contain crossroads that are dangerous. Bicycle riders should stop at crossroads and check left, front and right before continuing.

Give them helmets:

3/4 of the deaths from bicycle accidents are related with head traumas. A suitable helmet is important. Parents should also wear helmets to make a good example.

Make sure that the bicycle is suitable for your child:

Make sure that the bicycle you buy for your child has a tag showing that is has been tested and ready to be used.

Very small and very big bicycles are risky. How to check bicycle size? Let your child sit on a bike at least the fingertips of your child's both feed should touch the ground. If your child is also using his/her bike at night a headlamp should be installed and also your child should carry a flashlight. Remember that bells can prevent accidents with pedestrians.

Inspect bicycle material:

Make sure that your child’s bike has security equipment such as lights, reflectors and bells. The helmet should be fabricated in accordance with security standards.

Make a good example:

When you are riding your bike together with your child, wear a helmet to make a good example.

Riding a bike:

Children should respect traffic rules and should learn the meaning of every traffic sign.

Children should never make a turn without first checking their backs. Teach your children to check their backs and give a signal before turning. Children should not ride their bikes at night or at crowded streets. If there is traffic your child should stay at a side of the street and wait for the correct time to make a turn.

Pedestrian ways may be the best location for your children to ride their bikes. But even when your child is riding his/her bike on the pedestrian way you should stay close to him/her.

Make sure that your child understands when to pass the road. Teach your child to pass the road or train way on foot carrying his/her bike.

Helmets:

Children should use helmets when riding their bikes. The helmet should be in proper size. When the helmet is adjusted it should not move forward or backward and should not come off. The helmet should fit the head nice and comfortable and should cover the head having a gap 3 cms from the eyebrows. Remember that helmets can only be used once. If your helmet is hit and its inner parts receive shock buy a new one. Even if there is no obvious damage to the helmet its capacity to resist shocks may be reduced. If your child is smaller than 5 make sure that the helmet you are buying is designed for this age group. Inspect the helmet frequently to make sure it is in good shape.

When using a baby seat for your bike:

Children that are so big to carry at the back of bicycles should never be seated on bikes. Only children that have strong enough necks to wear a helmet (usually at the age of 1) can be carried.
Chose a baby seat that is strong and has a seatbelt that cannot be opened by kids. Make sure that your child has proper protection for his/her feet when riding the bike.

Choose a baby seat that has height adjustment and protected from the sides. To prevent shaking the baby seat should be mounted on the bike firmly. Do not enter deserted streets and parks when carrying your child at the back seat of your bike.

Did You Know?

85 % of the deaths from bicycle accidents are caused by head traumas.

Most of the bicycle accidents happen around the house or in the neighborhood. Half of the children below 10 years of age that are involved in bicycle accidents die because of entering to main roads from side roads or smaller streets.

58 % of deaths of bicyclers at the age of 10 - 19 are caused of turnings in motorways and entrances to motorways.