Bike Safety

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Head injuries are the leading cause of death and injury in bike-related accidents. Help protect and prepare your children for safe bicycle riding by making sure...

Your Child Wears A Helmet

An approved bike helmet will have a sticker inside that certifies if the helmet meets the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation, and/or the American National Standards Institute. The bike helmet should fit snugly, cover the top of the child's forehead, and does not slide. Involve your child in picking out the bike helmet. Make sure it's a helmet your child likes, since it must be worn for every bike ride. Be a good example by wearing a bike helmet yourself.

The Bike is Safe to Ride

Your child should be able to straddle the bike and have both feet flat on the ground. All moving parts of the bike should be in good working condition (gears, pedals, chain, steering, spokes, tightness of seat and handlebars). Regularly check the tire pressure and brakes. The bike should have reflectors on both wheels, on the front, and on the back of the bike. It should also have a headlight and a horn.

Your Child Knows Safe Biking Rules

Children should keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Headsets or headphones should not be worn while biking. Your child should not ride double on a bicycle. Use leg clips if necessary to help secure loose clothing. Make sure shoe laces are securely tied. Night riding is discouraged. If it is absolutely necessary to ride after dark, white or light colored clothing should be worn, and the light should be turned on. Young children should not ride bikes in the street.

Rules of the Road are Obeyed

Ride on the right side of the road, with the traffic.
Obey traffic signals and stop signs.
Stop before riding out into traffic. Make absolutely certain there is no oncoming traffic before entering the road. Look left, right, and then left.
Know proper hand signals for turning.
Look back and yield to traffic before turning left at intersections.
Walk your bike across a busy

Children with Special Needs are Protected

An infant who cannot cannot hold up his head when wearing a small helmet should not ride on a bike. Young children who can sit well unsupported and whose necks can support wearing bike helmets should ride in rear-mounted seat carriers. Children with special needs may require adapted seating to safely secure them on a bike or carrier. For more information, please call Riley Hospital for Children, (317) 274-2964.

Bike Safety Checklist

Help protect your child by making sure...

Your child wears an approved bike helmet. It will have a sticker inside that certifies if the helmet meets the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation and/or the American National Standards Institute.
The bike helmet fits snugly, covers the top of your child's forehead, and does not slide.
Your child's bike is the proper size, is in good repair, and has reflectors. Make certain the tires are inflated and brakes are in good working order.
Your child knows to keep at least one hand on the handlebars while riding.
Your child does not wear a headset or headphones while biking.
Your child does not ask a friend to ride double.
Young children who can sit well unsupported and whose necks can support wearing bike helmets ride in rear-mounted seat carriers.
An infant who cannot hold up his head when wearing a small helmet should not ride on a bike.
Children do not ride bikes in the street until they are able to identify and respond appropriately to traffic dangers.
Your child knows traffic laws. Bicyclists must obey these same laws.
Your child knows to stop and look left-right-left before entering a road.
Children with special needs may require adapted seating to safely secure them on a bike or carrier