Bicycle Safety

What do I need to know about bicycles before I buy one?

When buying a bicycle, make sure that it is the right size for you or for your child. Your or your child’s bicycle should have the proper seat height. You or your child’s hands should be able to hold the handlebars easily without having to lean forward. Make sure that you or your child can easily hold the hand brakes to stop the bicycle. The bicycle should be equipped with reflectors, a horn or bell, at least one side-view mirror, and head and tail lights. Your child’s may also need training wheels on his bicycle to help his balance.

What should I check on a bicycle before riding it?

Check the following on the bicycle before you or your child rides it:

• Brakes and tires: Make sure the brakes work properly and the tires have the proper amount of air.
  
  
• Lights and reflectors: Check if the bicycle has reflectors and if the lights are working. The lights and reflectors are important when riding a bicycle in the dark. Lights and reflectors will help drivers and other people see you or your child on the bicycle.
  
  
• Loose parts: Check and repair any loose or damaged parts on the bicycle before riding it.

What increases the risk of injury when riding a bicycle?

Bicycle injuries most commonly occur in children ages 5 to 14. The following may increase the risk of injury when riding a bicycle:

• Balance problems: Children who have trouble keeping balance have an increased risk of getting hurt while riding a bicycle.
  
  
• Extra riders: Only one person should ride a single-seat bicycle. Letting another person ride on the handlebars increases the risk of both riders getting hurt.
  
  
• Riding fast: Riding the bicycle fast may increase the risk of you or your child being hurt. You or your child may also get hurt when doing stunts on a bicycle.
  
  
• Road conditions: Certain road conditions may increase your or your child's risk of injury while riding a bicycle. These conditions include uneven or wet pavements such as roads and sidewalks. Riding on roads that are covered with debris (objects) also increases you and your child's risk of injury.
  
  
• Traffic rules: Bicycle riders who do not follow traffic rules are more likely to get hurt. This includes riding the wrong way on a one-way street, or running traffic lights and stop signs. Bicycle riders who do not yield to a motorists’ right of way are at risk of getting hurt. Failing to use hand signals may also increase your or your child’s risk of getting injured.
  
  
• Weather: Riding a bicycle in bad weather such as rain and lightening storms, may increase your risk of injury.

What problems can occur when riding a bicycle?

While riding a bicycle, any of the following problems may occur:

• Body parts such as fingers or toes may get caught in the spokes of the wheels.
  
  
• The bicycle brakes may not work.
  
  
• You or your child may collide with cars, walls, trees, or other people.
  
  
• You or your child may hit the handlebars when suddenly coming to a stop.
  
  
• You or your child may fall off the bicycle and hit a curb or the ground.

What types of injuries can occur when riding a bicycle?

You or your child may have any of the following injuries:

• Head, brain, eye, face, neck, or dental (teeth) injuries.
  
  
• Impotence in males (not able to keep the penis erect) from damage to nerves.
  
  
• Internal organ injuries.
  
  
• Loss of feeling in one or more areas of the body.
  
  
• Muscle aches and pains.
  
  
• Muscle strains or sprains, broken bones, or dislocated joints.
  
  
• Scrapes, cuts, and bruises.

What can I do to prevent getting hurt?

The following may help prevent yourself or your child from getting hurt:

• Protective clothing:
  
  
  • Wear a helmet: You or your child should always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, even on short trips. Wearing a helmet may help protect you or your child from a head or face injury. You or your child should wear a light-colored helmet with a reflective sticker on the back. These make it easier for other drivers to see you. Make sure that the helmet you or your child is wearing is nationally certified.
    
    
  • Wear protective gear: The use of elbow or knee pads may help prevent injury from falling off a bicycle.
    
    
  • Wear reflective clothes: Wear a reflective vest when riding a bicycle in the dark. This will make it easier for drivers to see you and your child.
  
  
• Other ways to prevent getting hurt:
  
  
  • Before allowing your child to ride a bicycle, teach him about proper bicycle equipment and safety.
    
    
  • Follow traffic rules, avoid high traffic areas, and ride with the flow of traffic.
    
    
  • Keep your head up while riding a bicycle.
    
    
  • Make sure the bicycle is working properly before riding it.
    
    
  • Use hand signals when making a turn and try to ride only on special lanes provided for bicycles.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You or your child has muscle aches or pain after riding a bicycle.
  
  
• You or your child has bad scrapes, cuts, or bruises after riding or falling off a bicycle.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You or your child hit your head or face during a bicycle fall or collision.
  
  
• You or your child believe you may have broken bones from a bicycle fall or collision.
  
  
• You or your child throws up or coughs up blood after an injury from riding your bicycle.

Where can I find more information?

Contact any of the following:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 - 434-4000
  Web Address: http://www.aap.org
  

Care Agreement

You and your child have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about bicycle safety. You can then discuss choices with caregivers. Work with them to decide what choices may be best for you or your child. You always have the right to refuse treatment and make your own decisions.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.