eugenegears.org

Bicycle Safety for Parents and KidsBicycle Safety for Parents and KidsHow to Ride SafeHow to Ride Safe

eugenegears.org

BikeEdBikeEd

• League of American Bicyclists League of American Bicyclists – Kids I: Safety for parents and childrenKids I: Safety for parents and children– Kids II: Safety for older childrenKids II: Safety for older children– Street Skills 101: Adults riding on the roadStreet Skills 101: Adults riding on the road– Road II: Advanced mechanics and techniquesRoad II: Advanced mechanics and techniques– Commuter: Issues in transportation cyclingCommuter: Issues in transportation cycling– Motorist: Share the roadMotorist: Share the road

eugenegears.org

What did your first What did your first bike mean to you?bike mean to you?

• FunFun

• FreedomFreedom

• IndependenceIndependence

• ResponsibilityResponsibility

• TransportationTransportation– paper routes (commercial)paper routes (commercial)– visit a friend (recreational)visit a friend (recreational)– go to school (commuting)go to school (commuting)

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

eugenegears.org

Vehicular CyclingVehicular Cycling

• Cyclists fare best Cyclists fare best when they act and when they act and are treated as are treated as drivers of vehicles.drivers of vehicles.

John ForesterJohn Forester

Graphics compliments of theDes Moines Register

eugenegears.org

Roadway SkillsRoadway Skills

• Freedom, independence, responsibilityFreedom, independence, responsibility– These are attributes that will guide These are attributes that will guide

children into a lifetime of responsible children into a lifetime of responsible roadway usageroadway usage

• Now let’s keep them safeNow let’s keep them safe

eugenegears.org

Why are we here?Why are we here?• To Learn:To Learn:

– How we keep them safe…How we keep them safe…

– and let them grow and let them grow

• You are parents:You are parents:

– concerned, concerned,

– responsible responsible

– ensuring that your children have safe learning experiences.ensuring that your children have safe learning experiences.

• YouYou are kids:are kids:– ExploringExploring

– DiscoveringDiscovering

– Looking for funLooking for fun

– Testing your parents and boundriesTesting your parents and boundries

eugenegears.org

Does education Does education benefit children?benefit children?

• Most parents think so or they wouldn’t spend time and money for Most parents think so or they wouldn’t spend time and money for – music lessonsmusic lessons– dance lessons dance lessons – gymnastics classes gymnastics classes – soccersoccer

eugenegears.org

Is bicycle Is bicycle education effective?education effective?

• Absolutely!Absolutely!• BikeEd Hawaii (for 4th graders) 1993:BikeEd Hawaii (for 4th graders) 1993:

– Crashes decreased by 77%Crashes decreased by 77%– Sidewalk riding decreased by 47%Sidewalk riding decreased by 47%– Helmet usage increased by 13%Helmet usage increased by 13%– Right side riding improved by 7%Right side riding improved by 7%

• Northern European Countries have it as a standard part of Northern European Countries have it as a standard part of education. Texas SuperCyclist Project 2003:education. Texas SuperCyclist Project 2003:– Helmet usage and fit up by 18%Helmet usage and fit up by 18%– Hands on handlebars increased by 18%Hands on handlebars increased by 18%– Hand signals up 15%Hand signals up 15%– Right side riding improved by 8%Right side riding improved by 8%

eugenegears.org

The bicycle is not a toy!The bicycle is not a toy!It is a vehicle!It is a vehicle!

• § 541.201. VEHICLES. § 541.201. VEHICLES. In this subtitle: In this subtitle:– (2) "Bicycle" means a device that a person may (2) "Bicycle" means a device that a person may

ride and that is propelled by human power and ride and that is propelled by human power and has two tandem wheels at least one of which is has two tandem wheels at least one of which is more than 14 inches in diameter. more than 14 inches in diameter.

• § 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIES§ 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIES. . – (a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights (a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights

and duties applicable to a driver operating a and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle, vehicle under this subtitle,

– (b) A parent of a child or a guardian of a ward (b) A parent of a child or a guardian of a ward may not knowingly permit the child or ward to may not knowingly permit the child or ward to violate this subtitle.violate this subtitle.

eugenegears.org

Getting StartedGetting Started

• A properly sized, A properly sized, adjusted and adjusted and maintained bicyclemaintained bicycle

• A properly fitting and A properly fitting and adjusted helmetadjusted helmet

This bicycle is too small, or the seat is too low.

eugenegears.org

HelmetsHelmets

• Variety of sizes and styles.Variety of sizes and styles.• Involve your childInvolve your child• Fit and adjustmentFit and adjustment• Start earlyStart early• Always wear your helmet!Always wear your helmet!

eugenegears.org

Helmet FitHelmet Fit• EyesEyes

– Able to see the front edge of the helmet.Able to see the front edge of the helmet.

• EarsEars– Straps meet just below the ears.Straps meet just below the ears.

• MouthMouth– When buckled, the chin strap should be tight When buckled, the chin strap should be tight

enough that the helmet moves when the mouth is enough that the helmet moves when the mouth is opened wide.opened wide.

eugenegears.org

First bikeFirst bike• Small enough for controlSmall enough for control• Coaster brakesCoaster brakes

– Small hands may not be big enough or Small hands may not be big enough or strong enough to use hand brakes.strong enough to use hand brakes.

• Multiple gears not necessaryMultiple gears not necessary– Kids can’t deal with complexityKids can’t deal with complexity

• Training wheels?Training wheels?– Usually better without Usually better without – Skoot, Gyrobike, no pedalsSkoot, Gyrobike, no pedals

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

eugenegears.org

Bicycle - Correct Bicycle - Correct size only!size only!

• Stand over height Stand over height – Both feet on the ground Both feet on the ground – Clearance (3-4 inches) above the top tubeClearance (3-4 inches) above the top tube

• Seat heightSeat height– Novice: Feet flat on the Novice: Feet flat on the

ground when seated.ground when seated.– Experienced: Full leg Experienced: Full leg

extension at the bottom extension at the bottom of the pedal stroke.of the pedal stroke.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

eugenegears.org

What mistakes do What mistakes do children make?children make?• Crash Causes (responsible for 75% of fatalities)Crash Causes (responsible for 75% of fatalities)

– Ride outs – failure to yield the right of way, Ride outs – failure to yield the right of way, • mid-block/drivewaysmid-block/driveways• intersections (stop signs).intersections (stop signs).

– Wrong way riding.Wrong way riding.– Left turn or sudden swerves without scanning behind Left turn or sudden swerves without scanning behind

for traffic.for traffic.• Poor judgment of traffic speed and distance.Poor judgment of traffic speed and distance.• VisibilityVisibility

– their ability to see and be seentheir ability to see and be seen– they assume motorists see them.they assume motorists see them.

• Lane position – ride all over the street.Lane position – ride all over the street.• Ride in groups – instead of single file.Ride in groups – instead of single file.

eugenegears.org

Crash StatisticsCrash Statistics

• In 2000In 2000– 27 % of fatalities were 27 % of fatalities were

between 5 - 15 years between 5 - 15 years old. old.

– Rate was 4.1 per Rate was 4.1 per million population million population

• Rate for all cyclists 2.5 Rate for all cyclists 2.5

– Injury rate was 465 per Injury rate was 465 per million population, million population, compared with compared with

• Rate for all cyclists 186Rate for all cyclists 186 0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Injury Rate

4

9

15

20

24

34

44

54

64

69

79

80+

eugenegears.org

What skills does What skills does your child need?your child need?• Right of way and yieldingRight of way and yielding

– look before entering (left, right, left)look before entering (left, right, left)

• Ride on the rightRide on the right• Scanning (looking) and signalingScanning (looking) and signaling• Passing parked carsPassing parked cars• Left turns (box left, vehicular)Left turns (box left, vehicular)

– The Kids II class teaches these skills and others in small The Kids II class teaches these skills and others in small steps and repeated drills, which has proven to be the steps and repeated drills, which has proven to be the best way for children to learn skills.best way for children to learn skills.

eugenegears.org

What can you do?What can you do?

• EquipmentEquipment– Appropriately sized and adjusted bicycle.Appropriately sized and adjusted bicycle.– Appropriately fitted and adjusted helmet.Appropriately fitted and adjusted helmet.

• Teach skill set.Teach skill set.• Set a good example.Set a good example.• Set rules for the children about when and where Set rules for the children about when and where

they may ride.they may ride.• Instill beginning rules of the roadInstill beginning rules of the road

– Ride in a straight line with traffic.Ride in a straight line with traffic.– Behave predictably.Behave predictably.– Follow rules of the road (traffic laws).Follow rules of the road (traffic laws).

eugenegears.org

ABC Quick CheckABC Quick CheckPre-Ride Safety CheckPre-Ride Safety Check

A- AirA- AirB- BrakesB- BrakesC- Chain & CrankC- Chain & CrankQuick- ReleasesQuick- ReleasesCheck- with a short/safe rideCheck- with a short/safe ride

Basic Tools Allen Wrench, spare tube/patch kit, pump, Basic Tools Allen Wrench, spare tube/patch kit, pump, leverslevers

Tire Repair Punctures, snake bites, & everything elseTire Repair Punctures, snake bites, & everything elseGears & Derailleurs Cadence (75-95rpm)Gears & Derailleurs Cadence (75-95rpm)Brakes Brakes LubeLube

eugenegears.org

Parking Lot DrillsParking Lot Drills

• Starting & StoppingStarting & Stopping

• Straight LineStraight Line

• ScanningScanning

• SignalingSignalingQuickTime™ and a

decompressorare needed to see this picture.

eugenegears.org

Let’s Ride!Let’s Ride!