Play Safe: Bike Safely

Since the dawn of the 20th century, people have had a love affair with bikes. And while bikes were originally toys for adults (if you've ever seen the immense height of the front wheels before the invention of gears, you'd know why), more children ride bikes today than adults, as it remains their fastest, easiest mode of transportation.

The first line of defense in bike safety is the condition of the bike itself. Many children receive hand-me-down bikes and even those that are new are often assembled incorrectly. Before allowing a child to ride a bike for the first time, check all bolts and nuts for tightness. Check brake pads for wear and for correct operation. Make sure the tires are in good condition, as bald tires are just as likely to cause mishaps as they would on an automobile.

Once the bike is in good working order, then it's time to assess the skill level of the user. Beginners, as well as advanced users, should always wear a helmet when riding.

In fact, many states now require helmet use. Children can actually be ticketed if they are not wearing one. Beginners should ride on sidewalks, paths and other areas where loss of control will not result in a fall into traffic. Empty parking lots are good for practice. Even seasoned users, when presented with a new bike, can find themselves at risk when brake handles are in a different location and the balance of the bike is different.

Make sure the bike fits the child. A bike that is too large or too small can lead to crashes. A good rule of thumb is to have the child straddle the bike and plant both feet firmly on the ground. The seat should not be too much higher than the back side of the standing child, and any bars running from the seat to the handlebar area should not be so high as to cause injury if the child should have to unexpectedly hop off the seat. When pedaling, the child should have his leg extended with a foot flat on the pedal at the lowest part of the rotation. If the child has to extend the foot into a point in order to maintain contact with the pedal, then lower the seat or obtain a bike with a smaller frame.

Kids can act very dangerously on bikes, especially when trying to emulate BMX tricks. For this reason, nuts and bolts should be regularly inspected as they would naturally want to come loose.

Accidents occur every year when children's clothing becomes entangled with the bike chain. Install a chain guard over the chain or purchase an elastic band that will keep pant legs away from the chain.

Once they're rolling, it's important for kids to know that once they're on a bike, they are drivers, just like those in cars. And being drivers, they must obey the rules of the road. For instance, if there is a stop sign up, it is a stop sign for everyone on wheels -- not just cars.