Biking to school can be a rite of passage for kids and it comes with many benefits. These benefits can be physical, mental, social and environmental.
Biking to school can help kids:
- Get exercise, which can improve focus and reduce stress
- Build a sense of community with other bikers and classmates
- Be good stewards of the environment by reducing traffic and using less gas
- Gain a sense of independence and responsibility
If you're thinking about whether your child should bike to school, here are some tips that may help you prepare.
When is a child ready to bike to school?
Your child's readiness depends on their age, experience on a bike and how much they know about bike safety. It also depends on how long and how safe their route to school is.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many children will have the skills needed to bike safely at around age 10. These skills include the ability to follow rules, show good judgment and not be easily distracted. But every kid is different and you know your kid best.
7 safety tips for biking to school
1. Practice general bike safety with them
Before you send them to school on their own on a bike, take time to practice how to:
- Use hand signals
- Stop at intersections
- Know what traffic signs mean and be familiar with traffic laws
- Bike in a straight line
- Look over their shoulder when they turn, change lanes or merge with traffic
Learn more about teaching your child bike safety.
2. Wear bike safety gear
Helmets are the most important piece of safety equipment when riding a bike. Helmets reduce bike-related head injuries by up to 85%.
You can also make your child more visible to drivers by having them:
- Wear bright clothing or reflective clothing
- Use reflective accessories like vests and ankle bands
- Use bike lights and reflectors
- Wear a bright-colored backpack
- Wear a backpack with reflectors or built-in LED lights
3. Make sure the bike is well-maintained
Bikes are safest when they are thoroughly maintained at least every six months. Before your child bikes to school, inspect the tires, brakes and chain. Make sure the bike tires are clean and have enough air.
4. Plan the safest route to school
- Use Google Maps to help identify bike-friendly routes
- Look for designated bike lanes or bike paths
- Look for routes that avoid busy streets or dangerous intersections
- Choose roads with minimal traffic
After you plan your route, practice it a couple times until your child feels comfortable. If possible, practice with your child in the lead. You may also want to practice locking up their bike at school.
5. Encourage riding with friends
If your child rides their bike to school with friends, it can be more fun – and safer too. As a group, they can look out for one another and be more visible in traffic. But you'll need to remind them not to get distracted or too playful as they ride together.
Some families, schools and communities also organize a bike train – a group of students and adults who bike to school together, making stops to pick up others along the way.
6. Prepare for emergencies
Tell your child to confirm with you the days they're riding a bike to school. If your child has a cell phone, make sure they carry it in case they get lost. You can also ask them to text you after they arrive at school. And you can program emergency numbers into the phone for your child.
7. Plan for the weather
Your child should not ride a bike when it's dark, foggy or hard to see. On those days, you'll need a back-up plan for getting your child to school. If it is drizzling rain and the visibility is still good, your child may be able to bike to school. Remind them to wear waterproof clothing and not to ride too fast. On days when the sidewalks and streets are quite slick with rain, it may be safer to walk to school.
Learn more
Children's Health℠ is here to help as your child prepares for a new year at school. See more tips and advice for making this school year a healthy and happy one.
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