It is springtime in Kentucky and more and more children will be riding their bikes on and off our neighborhood streets. Many of these will be first time riders that do not yet have the knowledge and ability to observe the rules of the road.  Parents should buy and require their children to wear bicycle helmets while riding their bike.  I know it is a different world (to quote country singer Bucky Covington) from when I grew up. We may road bikes without wearing a helmet or even wearing shoes when we were kids. I know we are here and turned out pretty well, but there are more cars on the road that can injure our children. Children, especially those under the age of 12, should never ride their bikes on or near city streets after dark. 

As a parent it is your job and I believe duty to teach your children the rules of bicycle riding. Doing this will help your children avoid bicycle accidents. Seattle attorney Chris Davis listed several rules that parents should speak to their children about in his blog on Children and Bicycle Accients. These rules should include the following advice:

·        Avoid riding on busy streets.

·        Never cross busy intersections while riding the bike, a child or anyone should dismount and walk the bike across the street in a crossing zone.

·        Teach children to understand and obey all traffic control signals and signs, like Stop and Yield signs. As well as lights and crossing signs.

·        Children should wear bright clothing so they are visible to motorists. Make sure they have reflectors on the bike.

·        Teach children to assume a driver cannot see the child riding the bike, so the child should always make eye contact with the driver when approaching.

·        Try to locate a safe area for your child to ride, like a park or culdesac where there is no traffic. School parking lots are sometimes a great place on the weekend

Bicycle accidents increase when the weather in Kentucky gets warmer and school is out for summer vacation.  Parents need to take responsibility and teach their children safe habits while they are riding their bicycle. Locally there is an organization called Bicycling for Louisville which is funded by the Bike Louisville  progrsm of Louisville Metro Government. The classes are taught by League Cycling Instructors that have been certified by League of American Cyclists. Go to http://www.bicyclingforlouisville.org/classes/ to get additional information, the schedule and to register for this free program.

I urge every parent to be proactive in teaching safety and the rules of the road as their children learn to ride bikes and to re-enforce these rulews as they grow. This will help prevent tragic bicycle accidents. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.

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