Kids and Bicycle Safety In St. Louis

Warm Weather Brings Out the Bicyclists!

If your family is anything like mine, the kids look forward to riding their bicycles now that it is warm outside.  It is important to remember that a bicycle is NOT a toy, it’s a vehicle.

Avoid bicycle accidents including bike-car collisions by practicing safety.

Keep kids off busy highways and roadways especially if they are still learning how to ride.  Sidewalks or empty parking lots are a great place for children to learn to ride their bikes. Gauge the traffic around your house to determine the best place for your children.

Better yet, ride bicycles as a family so that parents can supervise younger children and keep them safe.

Safe Riding Tips for All Cyclist, Especially Kids

Where a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet

Protect your brain and save your life.  While children may take helmets off to play between stops, be sure helmets are properly secured each time they climb back on their bikes…. I know, this can be challenging. In the beginning of the riding season, we had to enforce “no removing of helmets until we get back in the house”. Plus, it is a helpful way to keep them from laying the helmet down somewhere. Make it a habit.

Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit

Be sure the bike is fitted for the rider.  We all remember climbing on an older friend or sibling’s bike and trying to ride it while barely being able to reach the pedals–easy scenario for a crash and easy way to lose control of the bike. Each spring your child has usually grown and adjustments have to be made.

See and Be Seen

No matter the time of day, evening or night, you need to be seen by others.  Wearing white has not shown to make you more visible. Rather, always wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding day or evning. Also wear something that reflects light such as reflective tape or markings or flashing lights.  Just because you can see the drivers of cars, it doesn’t mean they can see you.

Avoid Riding at Night

It is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day. Simply, because bicycle riders are harder to see at night so have your kids park their bikes at dusk.  If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more visible, have reflectors on your front and rear wheels. As well, white lights on the front and rear reflectors are required by law in many states).

Control Your Bicycle

Always ride with at least one hand on the handlebars. Carry books and other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack.

Bicycling is a fun family event.

While cycling is fun, you have to remember that ultimately the bicycle is a vehicle. If you are riding on the streets with motorists, you must follow all of the same rules of the road as other motorist.

Many bicycle-related crashes result in serious injuries or death are associated with bicyclist behavior of not wearing a helmet, riding into a street without stopping, turning left or swerving into traffic that is coming from behind, running a stop sign and riding the wrong way in traffic.  Maximize your safety by following all road rules and WEAR a helmet.

If you have been injured in a bicycle-related crash, you may need legal representation.  Frequently, crashes happen due to motor vehicle drivers simply not seeing or looking out for bicyclists. The same scenario is even worse for motorcyclists as they are generally traveling at a much faster rate on the highways and interstates.  Each crash is unique, but if you are injured, you should seek a free legal consultation from our attorneys before speaking with any insurance company.

Call (314) 276-1681.

Keep this fun sport safe and keep the kids safe during this tremendous St. Louis weather bike-riding season!