Make sure your child wears their Helmet

A young child’s skull is soft, and can easily damaged by a collision or a fall.

Whenever children are riding wheeled toys or bicycles, it is important that they are wearing a correctly fitted helmet at all times. This doesn’t just apply to when they are out on the road or the footpath either. Accidents can just as easily happen in the backyard or down at the park so make sure your child wears a helmet whenever they are out riding, wherever they may be.

ADULT RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes, that’s right, it is your responsibility to make sure your child wears their helmet every time they get on their bike and yes, you should be leading by example!

Fact: Young children who wear helmets from the moment they start riding their first wheeled toy are more likely to continue the helmet wearing habit.

School Safety Programs

Does your school have Bike Ed classes?
Many primary schools, often in conjunction with police departments, operate bike education programs. These programs help teach your child how to safely ride on the road and to obey the laws of the road as well as teaching bike handling skills and improving rider confidence.

Reversing out of the driveway

Did you know that every week a child is injured in a driveway accident? Teach your child about the dangers of crossing driveways and be aware when you are backing your car out of the driveway.

Children should be encouraged to ride off the road until they are at least 10 years of age and never go out riding at or after dusk.

Always wear a protective helmet, it’s the law.

Always wear bright clothes when cycling in order to be easily seen.

Always check you bike over before you go out riding.

Always fit your bike with a warning device, e.g. a bell or horn.

Always obey the rules, signs and signals of the road . . . remember your bike is legally a vehicle.

Always give clear hand signals when stopping, making turns or changing lanes.

Always scan carefully for traffic and give way to all approaching vehicles before entering the road.

Always walk beside the bicycle when using a pedestrian crossing.

Always keep both hands on your bikes handlebars - except when signalling.

Always ride in a straight line about 1 metre out from the kerb or parked vehicles.

Always look ahead and constantly check the road for hazards and dangers.

Always communicate with other road users - make your intentions clear. Try and make eye contact with the other road user.

Always try and find the safest route - avoid heavily congested traffic areas if possible

Always maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you

Always ride in a responsible and sensible manner

Notes about riding at night

Children under 9 years of age are still developing the experience and necessary skills needed to deal with traffic and should not ride at night without adult supervision, if at all.

For night riding, bicycles should be fitted with a bright white light to the front and a bright red light and reflector on the rear of the bike. Bicycles are more easily seen if they have a white front reflector, rear red reflector, and yellow wheel and pedal reflectors.

Kidsafe – Safe Cycling for Kids

Every state runs a Kidsafe program. This link provides you with a printable fact sheet that you can use to talk to your children about cycling safely.

Kidsafe Fact Sheet