Bike to School in Oregon
Help your kids cycle safe
Bicycling to school can be fun, rewarding and safe if you and your child learn a few tips and tricks. For more information on Bicycle Safety, check out these useful tools:
- Choose the right bike. Children should be able to sit on the bicycle seat, hands on the handlebars, and have the balls of their feet touch the ground. Don’t select a bike for your child to “grow into.”
- Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet. The helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position and not rock forward, backward, or side to side. The helmet straps should form a V under the ears, and should be snug but comfortable.
- Make sure your bike is ready to ride. Are the brakes working properly, the gears shifting smoothly, and the tires tightly secured and properly inflated?
- Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors. It’s important to wear a bright shirt, jacket, or vest, even during daylight hours. Front white lights, rear red lights, and other light reflectors should be placed on the bicycle and worn by the cyclist.
- Use caution riding at dusk or after dark. Night riding requires skills and equipment that most children haven’t acquired. Be sure to talk with your child about being seen.
- Don’t wear headphones or listen to tunes while riding. People riding bikes need to be able to hear oncoming traffic and not be distracted by other sounds.
- Follow the rules of the road. Ride on the right side of roads, in the same direction as other vehicles. (Almost one fourth of bicycle-car collisions result from bicyclists riding against traffic.) Obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. Use hand signals when turning.
- Be sure to check for drivers in parked cars. They may open their doors or pull out unexpectedly.
- Don’t wear long or loose clothing. It can get caught in bike chains or wheel spokes.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Be sure that they’re paying attention before crossing in front of them or pulling into their lane. Just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean they can see you.