March 24, 2006

The Best Wealth is Your Health

Bicycle Safety

By Dr. Meena Sathappan
Special to the Times

Learning to ride a bike is a developmental milestone in the life of a child.

The bicycle, a child’s first vehicle, is a source of pride. It is a symbol of independence and freedom. Yet all too often, children are seriously injured, or even killed, when they fail to follow basic bicycle safety rules.

As parents, it’s our foremost responsibility to teach children about safe bike riding. The following are some facts that could help make your’s and every child’s bike ride a safe one.

Wear a helmet, even on short rides around the neighborhood:

Simply put, “No Helmet, No Ride.” Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. In fact, most bike crashes happen near home. A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. Also, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the ‘helmet habit.’

Wear the right helmet
Only a bicycle helmet is made specifically to protect the head from any fall that may occur while biking. Other helmets, like a football helmet, or hard hats are made to protect the head from other types of injury. Bike helmets are very protective in headfirst falls at fairly high speeds, are light and well ventilated for comfort and acceptability. Never allow your child to wear another type of helmet while riding a bike, unless it is a multi-sport helmet certified for bicycle use.

When buying a helmet, turn it over and look inside for either a “CPSC” or “Snell” sticker. A CPSC sticker means the helmet meets tough Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, which were introduced by the U.S. government in 1999. A “Snell” sticker means the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization that tests helmet safety and also sets stringent standards, approved the helmet.

Wear the helmet right
A helmet should be worn squarely on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead. If it is tipped back, it will not protect the forehead. Make sure that the helmet fits well and that it doesn’t move around on the head or slide down over the child’s eyes when pushed or pulled. The chinstrap should be adjusted to fit snugly.

Ride the right-sized bicycle
Don’t buy a bike for your child to grow into, as oversized bikes are especially dangerous. Your child may not have the skills and coordination needed to handle a bigger bike and may lose control. Your child should be able to sit on the seat, with hands on the handlebars, and place the balls of both feet on the ground. A child’s first bike should also be equipped with footbrakes, as his or her hand muscles and coordination are not mature enough to control hand brakes.

Ride on the right, with traffic
A common myth is that it is safer for a child to ride facing traffic. Your child should always ride on the right, with traffic. Riding against traffic confuses or surprises drivers. Almost one-fourth of bicycle/car collisions result from bicyclists who ride against traffic.

Use correct hand signals
Some feel that signaling using hands cause children to lose control of their bikes. It is important to note that hand signals are an important part of the “Rules of the Road.” They should be taught to children before they begin to ride in the street. They are an important communication link between cyclists and motorists. Any child who does not have the skills necessary to use hand signals without falling or swerving should not be riding in the street. Many crashes involving older children occur when they fail to signal motorists as to their intended actions.

Avoid riding at night
It’s never safe for your child to ride a bike at night. Some parents think that bike reflectors and reflective vest make it safe. Night riding requires special skills and equipment. Few youngsters are equipped with either. Never allow your child to ride at dusk or ride after dark.

Emphasize safety
Riding a bike is fun – if it’s done safely. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that hundreds of thousands of children are seriously injured each year in bicycle falls. Worse still, hundreds of children die from these falls each year. Although you may have been lucky enough to survive childhood without a serious bicycle-related injury, you shouldn’t count on luck to protect your child.

Basic safety measures like these can make bicycle riding enjoyable and safe for your child. Happy and safe riding!

The following websites contain additional information:

California Highway Patrol – Bicycle Riding
http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/bicycleriding.html

Ten Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/343.html

Kidshealth.org – Bicycle Safety
http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety_p2.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/bike_safety.html

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
http://www.bhsi.org

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Meena Sathappan is a board-certified Pediatrician who lives and practices in Evergreen. She is available for questions and consultation at Aasha Pediatrics, 2060 Aborn Road, # 230, San Jose, CA 95121 (corner of Aborn Road and Capitol Expressway). You can call her at 408-274-9099, or e-mail her at msathappan@gmail.com. Website: www.aashapediatrics.com.