The beautiful weather is here!! Bring out the bicyles. A longtime family fun activity. We are so lucky in the west island as we have hundreds of kms of beautiful bike paths to use.

On my own street the other day, I witnessed a little girl, about 7yrs old almost get hit by a car on her bike. Thankfully the driver had seen her and was stopped. Said child never saw the car until after she passed in front of it. Last year I had a close call with a child but again I was fully aware she was there and was stopped before anything happened. It only takes a second. Be aware of your surroundings and watch your speed. This brought me to write this post.

More than ever, we need to teach our children bike safety. Sadly people in cars are not always paying attention in residential areas and are not following the speed limits. It’s truly important as parents, we need to teach them the rules of the road. Most rules in place is common sense and should be used by everyone. I have provided you some great info on helmets and bike trailers below. Let’s get down to it.

Bike Helmets

There is no law for wearing a bike helmet ( although there should be), it’s important to teach your child young to wear a helmet. Sure when I was growing up we never wore one and we are all fine. Technology has evolved and the research as well in the protection of a helmet and how it can save your life.

Here are some great tips on how to get your child to wear a helmet:

As soon as you buy that tricycle for your little one, get them a helmet at the same time. Start young. It will become a habit rather than a chore.
Let them pick out their own helmet. They will be more interested in wearing one.
Have them wear it around the house for fun to get used to the feeling.
Wear one yourself. Provide a role model for your kids; they learn best by observing you.

When biking with your child, be sure to bike near them-beside or just ahead. Stay close to them. Don’t let them get a block ahead of you without some instructions. This is how accidents happen. Set boundaries and rules with your child.

Taken from the S.A.A.Q. website, here is great info on if your child can wear a bike helmet:

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A CHILD CAN WEAR A BIKE HELMET?

The child’s head is big enough for the helmet to be properly adjusted.
The child’s neck is strong enough to support the weight of the helmet:
- Helmets are not recommended before the age of 1, since the neck, rather than the head, absorbs the force of impact, cancelling out any benefits of wearing a helmet.

For more info Click Here.

** Information taken from the SAAQ website.**

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HELMET

Make sure your helmet has been approved by one of the following organizations: CSA, CPSC, ASTM, CEN or SNELL.

If the name of one of these organizations appears on the inside of the helmet or on its packaging, it guarantees that the helmet meets performance standards, including resistance to impact.

For more great info on how to choose the right helmet click here.

*NEVER BUY A HELMET SECOND HAND. YOU DON’T KNOW IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED

Bike Trailers

I did some research on bike safety in regards to Government rules. Do you own a bike trailer and bike around with the kids? Are you aware of the rules in place by the S.A.A.Q.? Well we have all the info for you…

The SAAQ has lots of great information on their site about bike safety. I found it especially helpful when it comes to bike trailers. Check out this great info on their site:

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A CHILD IS READY TO SIT IN A TRAILER OR BIKE SEAT?

The child is at least 12 months old. Before the age of 1, neck muscles are not strong enough to support the head in the event of an accident.
The child can sit unassisted.
The child can wear a properly adjusted bike helmet.

CHILD BIKE SEATS: SAFETY AND COMFORT

You should always comply with the weight limit that the seat can support and make sure that it is compatible with your bike.

For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that you choose a seat equipped with a headrest and leg protectors.

When sitting in the bike seat, children should have:

a helmet that is properly adjusted to their head
a straight back
shoulder support
their feet on the footrests
their head against the headrest
a properly adjusted harness

BIKE TRAILERS: FOR INCREASED SAFETY

A bicycle trailer must be equipped with two red reflectors at the rear, as far apart as practicable, or a red reflective strip placed as close to horizontal as possible across the width of the trailer.

Putting a flag or pennant on the back of the trailer is recommended for greater visibility.

Comply with the trailer manufacturer’s installation instructions and safety information.

BEFORE GOING FOR A RIDE, TRY IT OUT!

Additional weight on a bicycle may affect handling and braking. Don’t set out for a ride without having first made a few test runs with the trailer or bike seat:

Load the trailer or seat with an object similar in weight to your child, such as a sack of potatoes.
Start out with short trips on familiar routes (bike paths, quiet streets, etc.).
Practise turning and braking… slowly!

For more information on bike trailer safety Click Here.

*** Information taken from the SAAQ Website.***

Modes of Transportation (Taken from the SAAQ website)

SAFE PRACTICES TO ADOPT

Being safe and obeying the Highway Safety Code are key when riding a bicycle. Certain habits can increase your safely while riding.

BASIC RULES

Ride in a straight line.
If there is more than one lane, ride in the right lane.
Before changing lanes or making a turn, signal your intention and make the manoeuvre only after checking to make sure that you can do so safely.
You may ride on public roads or on the shoulder, except on highways or access and exit ramps or where prohibited by traffic signs.
You must ride with the flow of traffic, except when riding against traffic is authorized or in case of necessity.

RIDING ALONG PARKED VEHICLES

Ride in a straight line. Do not zigzag between parked vehicles.
Keep an eye on:
- vehicle taillights: if they switch on, the vehicle could begin moving soon
- vehicle occupants: they could open a car door at any time

AT INTERSECTIONS

Before entering an intersection, yield the right of way to pedestrians who are entering the intersection or clearly indicating the intention to do so, as well as cyclists and vehicles that are already crossing the intersection or that have the right of way.

AT INTERSECTIONS WITH ALL-WAY STOP SIGNS

The first to come to a complete stop has the right of way, regardless of whether it is a cyclist, motorcyclist, motorist or heavy vehicle driver.
If another vehicle has the right of way, the cyclist can indicate that the other vehicle has the right of way by a hand signal.
If the cyclist has the right of way, before entering the intersection, the cyclist can make visual contact with the driver to ensure that he or she will yield the right of way.
If a pedestrian enters the intersection or clearly indicates the intention to do so, the cyclist must stop and let the pedestrian go by.

AT INTERSECTIONS CONTROLLED BY TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Watch out for light changes and get ready to stop, unless you are already in the intersection.
Watch out for vehicles travelling in the left lane or that are passing. They could cut you off when turning right. Be ready to avoid them.

RIDING IN GROUPS

Ride in a single file in groups of no more than 15 cyclists (requirement of the Highway Safety Code).
Maintain a safety margin of at least 1 metre between cyclists.
Increase the safety margin before going down a hill.
As much as possible, use cycling infrastructures, such as paved shoulders, bike lanes, shared roadways and bike paths. Be sure to ride in the direction indicated when using these infrastructures.

So much great info. Head over to the SAAQ website. Click HERE.

All in all, let’s be safe!!! Teach your children while they are young and as they grow up they will put these practices in place and be safe on the road.

The S.A.A.Q has lots of great information on bike safety and the rules of the road. Head over and read all about it on their site by clicking HERE.