Buying Your Child A Bike?
So...your child wants a bike. That's
reasonable. They're great fun. Every child wants
one. But before rushing out and buying your child a
bike, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my child old enough and mentally and
physically ready to ride a bicycle in
neighborhood traffic? A bicycle is not a toy
when it is ridden in traffic. The cyclist is
governed by the same traffic laws as automobile
drivers.
- Do we live in an area that is not congested
with vehicular traffic? Am I willing to see that
my child receives proper instructions on how to
safely operate a bicycle before being permitted
to ride on the street?
If your child isn't ready to ride a bicycle
on public streets and still wants a bicycle, then
consider the following:
- Are there safe places to operate a bicycle
near my home -- places such as empty lots, parks
or bicycle paths?
If your answer to this question is no and your
child isn't old enough to ride on the street, then
the answer to the question of whether to buy your
child a bicycle must also be no. You may be saving
your child from serious injury or even death by
taking a firm stand. Most motorists are not looking
for bicyclists and have difficulty seeing them. When
a bicycle/motor vehicle crash occurs, the bicyclist
is most frequently at fault.
When you and your child have determined
that he or she is ready to have a bike, what's next?
Buy the bicycle? Before you do, there are several
major considerations to keep in mind.
Fit the Bicycle to the Child
Typical size of bike for average child:
| Under 6 years * |
12" - 16" wheel |
| 6 to 9 years * |
20" wheel |
| 9 to 11 years |
24" wheel |
| 12 and over |
26 or 27" wheel |
| * Need close supervision
even on quiet neighborhood streets. |
Type of Bicycles:
Bicycles are manufactured in four basic types:
- Single-speed middleweight - Coaster
brakes; recommended for young cyclists.
- BMX - Modified frame, special wheel,
competition handlebars and seat.
- Multi-speed lightweight - For long
distance cycling, hill climbing and racing;
equipped with hand brakes and requires
maintenance.
- All-terrain or Mountain - Sturdy,
multi-speed, wide tires, upright handlebars,
hand brakes and off-road capabilities.
Young children may not be ready for hand
brakes. Wait until they have developed greater
strength in the hands and wrists before buying a
bike of this type. This may not occur until the
child has reach the age of 10.
A bicycle that is too large or too small is both
dangerous and uncomfortable to ride. Avoid buying a
large bicycle that a child can grow into. To
determine the proper-size bike, the cyclist should
be able to sit on the seat and balance the bicycle
with both feet resting comfortably on the ground.
The bicycle should not lean to one side or the
other. The seat may have to be adjusted to
accomplish this.
If the seat is in the lowest position and the
child can not touch both feet to the ground, then
the bicycle is too large to be ridden safely.
Parents should avoid the dangerous practice of
buying a large bicycle that the child will grow
into.
See bike riding safety tips:
This information is provided by
AAA Traffic Safety. |
