How safe are child bike seats?

Answer 1

Child Bicycle SafetyBicycle crashes can result in serious injury. In 1997, more than half a million persons were injured badly enough to need emergency department care as a result of bike crashes in the United States. Wearing a bicycle helmet reduces the risk of brain injury from a bike crash by as much as 88%.

You greatly reduce the chances of having a bike-related injury if you follow these simple bicycle safety tips:

Children and adults should always wear a bicycle helmet every time they ride a bike. Think of a bike helmet as a necessity, not an accessory.

Adults are important role models for children. If you wear a bike helmet, your children are more likely to wear helmets, too.

If your child doesn't want to wear a helmet, find out why. Some children don't like to wear helmets because they fear they will be teased by peers or because they think bike helmets are unattractive. Talk about these concerns with your child and choose a helmet he or she will want to wear.

Buy a bike helmet that meets the national safety standards. When choosing a helmet:

• Get one that is the right size; adjust the straps for a snug and comfortable fit. Teach children always to keep the helmet straps buckled when riding.

Bicycle Size:

A bicycle that is too big can be extremely dangerous. A bicycle that is the correct size means that:

• A child must be able to place the balls of both of his or her feet on the ground when sitting on the seat with both hands on the handlebars.

• A child must be able to stand with both feet flat on the ground with at least a 1-inch gap between his or her crotch and the center bar.

Model and teach children to follow the rules of the road:

ride on the right side of the road with the traffic flow, not against it; obey traffic signs and signals; use correct hand signals; stop at all intersections and crosswalks, both marked or unmarked; stop and look both ways before entering a street; yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and skaters.

Have children ride on sidewalks and paths until they are at least 10 years old, are able to show good riding skills, and are able to observe the basic rules of the road.

If riding at dawn, at dusk, or at night, wear reflective clothing (not just light-colored clothing) and make sure that the bike has a headlight and a rear reflector.

Make sure the bicycle is in good working order, especially the brakes.

Encourage your community to build bike paths to separate bike riders from traffic.

Ans 5 - If your child has experience to ride on the street (and many do ride to school) PLEASE MAKE SURE your child's bike has both rear and front flashers. Both together cost less than $20 , and MANY bike related accidents happen because drivers don't notice the bike.

Answer 2

The safety of using bike seats or carriers for children attached to a bike depends on the judgment of the parents or the adults who use one with kids. There are no particular law that governs the safety of using child bike seats. Some parents prefer the bike seats rather than the bike trailers while other parents feel that their child is safer while using trailers. It depends on the judgment of the parents if they feel that their kids are safe while using child bike seats.