At the first sign of spring, the begging starts, “Can you take the bikes out?” We always try and hold off a few days until there’s a bit less snow, but like we did this year, we usually cave in and let them bike through a minimum amount of snow.
If you have a child on the cusp of being . . .
ready to take off their training wheels and you’re not sure how to start them on the adventure of moving to two wheels, here are some tips.
- Let them tell you when they are ready. It does not bode well to rush them.
- Start in an open area and avoid hills or slants, flat land is best.
- Make sure they know how to brake and let them practice.
- Have them practice moving with their feet on the ground instead of pedals to get the feel of movement with two wheels, the balance feels very different.
- Have them put one foot on one pedal and use the other foot to push themselves forward.
- Slowly allow less time between pushes.
- When they get comfortable with this process, practice turning while slowly building up speed.
In our home it helped to hold their seat when they first started to bike. We wouldn’t let go unless they told us we could. The security of us keeping them straight was what they needed to finally roll free.
Safety
With the fun that comes with biking we have to make sure to teach our children the safety issues that come along with biking.
Teaching our children the rules of the road, which side of the road to drive on, dressing them in bright and visible colours and wearing bicycle helmets are some of the steps we can take to keep them safe while on the road. I always end up at the back of the line yelling to my kids to move off the road – I suspect that won’t change any time soon though.
Most importantly, we need to insist that our children wear helmets each and every time they get on a bike, whether it is for a short trip, a day of biking or even when in the bike seat behind mom or dad.
Next up we need to ensure that we replace all helmets that have had a direct impact. Unlike other types of helmets bike helmets are only made to protect against one impact and should be replaced after they received any significant impact, ie., from a fall. We should also take extra care not to throw our helmet around which could cause similar damage. Lastly, when they are not on their bike, have them put their helmet away. The tie strap could get tangled on them if they are rolling around or playing in other ways. Bike helmets are for biking.
Here are some great safety tips when considering a helmet.
When buying a helmet always look for the CSA certification which means that the helmet has met the requirements of Canada’s National Standard for Bicycle helmets.
Proper fit is something which can be difficult to achieve. Children should never wear a hat or cap under their helmets. Helmets should fit snuggly and not move when your child shakes his or her head side-to-side or front to back.
Helmets should sit level on your child’s head and should not be tilted forward or back exposing their foreheads or the back of their heads. (Toddlers should be wearing toddler specific helmets which provide added protection at the back of their heads.)
Helmets should sit level and should cover their foreheads resting about two fingers above their eyebrows. The side straps should form a V around your child’s ears and the chin strap should always be buckled and tight enough that you can only fit one finger between the strap and their chin.
If you are having difficulty finding a helmet or are unsure of the fit don’t hesitate to ask a professional at a bike shop for help.
One last safety tip is to ensure your children remove their helmets once they get off their bikes. Children should not climb trees or play structures while wearing any kind of helmet in case they get hung up and the straps get caught.
Don’t forget moms and dads, it’s best to lead by example and wear your own helmet as well. It’s the best time of the year when we can all get out for longer walks and bike rides and enjoy seeing people in the community again.
