Bixby Bicycles inspects, repairs and
performs routine maintenance on children's bicycles. You will feel safer
when your child leaves each morning if you know they are on the right equipment
for their age and size, their equipment is safe and in good repair, their
helmet is a good fit and they have clothing appropriate for bike riding.
Oklahoma weather is constantly changing.
Today's bad weather clothing is
light weight and can be easily stored in your child's backpack. In addition
make sure your child's backpack is suited to be worn while riding his/her
bicycle and in the Oklahoma heat we highly suggest an attachable water
bottle. If your child is riding in a group or with another person, knowing the
rules of Group Riding are important. Our Group Ride and Pace Line classes are
free and we offer a Cycling 101 Class for new riders. In addition to helping
with accessories your child might need, we can also review bike routes - a
child attempting to climb hills or circle curves on the wrong bike can be dangerous.
Bixby Bicycles
is more than a bicycles store. Our patrons are our neighbors - members of our
community, the people we see and interact with each and every day. We are here
to make you and your family's bicycling experience everything it should be.
Riding a bike to school should be easy, safe and most of all fun. Read the
reminders below then call us, or stop by the store - bring the bicycles – Bixby
Bicycles is here for you!
CHILD BIKE SAFETY - RIDING YOUR BIKE
TO SCHOOL
If your child's school has not
already started, it will be starting soon. If you live in Oklahoma there is a
good chance your child is riding their bike to school. To help parents when
they have "the talk", the National Highway Safety Traffic
Administration / Parents Control blogged safety tips and reminders to make this
talk easier. We've shared those here and added a few of our own.
Riding Your Bike Too School
Source: PARENT CONTROL /NHTSA
Riding a bicycle to school can also
be enjoyable for your child, but involves a little more skill than walking.
Before your child begins riding to school, take time to practice riding skills
in a safe place with no traffic, like an empty parking lot.
Practice.
Children should work on important
skills such as starting and stopping, riding in a straight line, looking over
their shoulders, and signaling to vehicles. The better children are at riding,
the less likely they are to crash.
Use The Right Gear.
Your child should only use a bicycle
that is the right size, not one that is too big or too small. One of the
smartest things your child can do to stay safe on a bicycle is wear a helmet.
If your child falls or crashes, a helmet is the best protection against head
and brain injury. A helmet is most effective when it fits properly; it should
fit low on your child’s forehead, just two fingers above the eyebrow. Your
child should be able to look up and see the helmet; otherwise it’s too far
back. Your child should dress to be visible to motorists at all times of the
day. Just like pedestrians, bicyclists are most easily seen when they wear
bright-colored clothing. Riding at night can be dangerous. If your child has to
ride at night, you or a responsible adult should ride along. Put a white light
on the front of the bicycle and a red reflector on the back to make it easier
for drivers to see your child’s bicycle at night.
Remember The ABCs.
Your children should always make
sure their bicycles are ready to go. Before every ride, they should check
the:
- Air in their tires
- Brakes
- Chain.
Be Street Smart.
Remind your child that a bicycle is
a vehicle, not a toy. Your child should ride with at least one hand on the
handlebars at all time, and with only one rider per seat. Kids need to use
their eyes and ears to stay alert, so they should never use headphones or cell
phones while riding. Your child should ride on a sidewalk when one is
available, or ride in the same direction of traffic if there is no sidewalk.
Ride with young children who aren’t familiar with the rules of the road and
remind them to be careful around driveways and parked cars. Just like with
walking, the safest place for young bicyclists to cross the street is a corner
or intersection. Your child should get off the bicycle, look left-right-left,
and walk the bicycle across the street when no traffic is coming.
National Center for Safe Routes to
School
Before riding your bike
- Talk with your parents. Are you allowed to ride by
yourself or with friends? What route will you ride to school?
- Practice riding the route to school with your parents.
Doing so will help you know where to stop, signal, and walk your bike.
- Dress to be seen. Wear brightly colored clothes and
reflective gear, such as a reflective vest, book bag tags, or pant leg
straps. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the
driver can see you.
- Tie and tuck. Loose laces and pant legs can get caught
up in your bike and cause you to crash. Tie shoelaces and tuck the hanging
ends into your shoe, and tie wide pant legs with a reflective strap or
tuck them into socks.
- Check your bike for safety. Make sure the tires have
enough air, the brakes and gears work, the chain isn’t loose, and the
wheels and bolts are tight. You should also have reflective gear on your
bicycle. Have your parents help you fix anything that’s not right.
- Put on your helmet. Make sure it’s properly adjusted,
fitted, and buckled. See sidebar for instructions on checking helmet fit.
While riding your bike
Look and listen for traffic. Also, look for things that
could make you fall, like potholes and storm grates. Never use a cell
phone or wear headphones.
- Watch for vehicles going in and out of driveways.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when signaling.
Carry books and other items in a backpack or bag designed to fit on a
bicycle.
- Stop before crossing the street, entering a road, or
turning. Look left, right, left, and behind you for traffic, including
pedestrians, bicycles, and cars.
If you are allowed to ride in the
street,
- Ride single file and in the same direction as cars.
- Ride to the right side of the road, but far enough from
parked cars to avoid any car doors that suddenly open.
- Obey traffic laws. Follow all traffic signs, signals,
and lane markings.
- Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out
of cars. Use hand sign
