Bike safety for children returning to school

With the return to school this week, many children will be riding bicycles to and from school, some for the first time and safety is paramount, especially for all those new riders out there.

 "Kids love to get outdoors and ride their bikes with their friends but often forget to put their helmets on." Mr Dowling said

 "There will be many "new" riders on the footpath and in streets around schools in the next few weeks, so please watch out for them." Peter said.

 Things to keep in mind when teaching children to ride their bike safely include:

•  Ride with your children initially to identify hazards in your area
• Supervise your children until you feel they demonstrate good bicycle control
• Talk to them about road rules
• Children under 10 years old should ride on the footpath wherever possible rather that on the road as they have not normally developed skills to ride around traffic
• Teach your children to ride in single file and not double other children
• Place a flag or reflector on the back of your child's bike
• Wear brightly coloured clothing to improve visibility whenever riding
• Always ensure they wear a properly fitting Australian Standards helmet at all times when riding

 "A few simple rules and some time invested at the beginning could save a nasty fall and will promote responsible attitudes towards bike safety." Mr Dowling said.