In the market for a new bike? When selecting bikes for kids, here
are some things to consider.
Bike Basics
- Make sure to consider a child's age, maturity level, and
the riding environment.
- Before making any purchase, be sure that the child is in the
age range recommended for the cycling gear.
Once you've brought the bike home:
- Never carry a child younger than 1 year old on a bike, even
in a child seat - a baby doesn't have the neck strength to
wear a helmet or safely sit up in a seat.
- When biking with your child, stick to areas you know are
safe, like bike paths, parks, and streets with little or no
traffic.
- Everyone in your family should wear a helmet while
riding. Make sure that helmets fit properly, and that any
harnesses and belts are fastened securely.
Trailers
A trailer is one of the safest ways to take a young child for a
bike ride, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP).
Hitched to the back of the adult bicycle, a trailer is a low,
mesh-covered seat that's supported by two wheels for stability.
The trailer's sturdy frame provides protection from accidents,
and the child is riding far enough behind the rear wheel of the
adult bike that the spokes are out of reach of little fingers.
Trailers also sit fairly low to the ground, so if the adult bike
falls over, the child in the trailer won't tumble very far.
Remember: Only adult cyclists should tow young children.
Look for a trailer with a shoulder harness and lap belt to
secure your child. The hitch that attaches to the adult bike should
have a flexible joint that allows the trailer to stay upright if
your bike falls. Make sure the trailer has reflectors, and attach a
tall bright warning flag to the trailer for increased
visibility.
Caution:
The trailer is wider than the adult bike, so one of the
trailer's wheels could slip off the road's edge if
you're not careful. Also, the trailer could overturn after
hitting a bump, if one wheel rides a curb, or if your bicycle turns
sharply.
Child Seats
A child seat fastens above the rear wheel of the adult bike.
While the AAP considers trailers to be the safest best, if a parent
uses a child safety seat, these precautions can help reduce the
risks of injury:
- Look for a seat with a back high enough to support the
child's neck and spoke guards that prevent the child's
feet from touching the rear wheel and getting caught in it.
- Seats should have a lap belt with a childproof buckle and a
shoulder harness.
Caution:
The added weight of carrying a child in a child seat compromises
the adult rider's ability to balance and handle the bike. It
also increases the amount of time the adult needs to press on the
brakes to stop the bike.
Trailer-Cycles
When a child outgrows a trailer or child seat but is too young
to start riding independently, a trailer-cycle is a good option. A
trailer-cycle looks like a small bicycle with no front wheel. It
has a single wheel and attaches to the seat post of the adult
bicycle. (When attached, it looks like a bicycle built for
two!)
Trailer-cycles have working pedals, and some are equipped with
gears so kids can practice starting, stopping, and balancing while
watching the adult rider.
Caution:
If your child turns or pedals erratically, you'll have
difficulty maneuvering your bicycle.
Biking Independently
Because kids mature at different rates, there's no magic age
to introduce a child to a "big-kid" bike. In general,
most 6-year-olds have the motor skills they need to mount and
balance a bicycle on their own, even if it's with training
wheels.
The first thing to look for when buying a bike for a child is
the right fit, so take your child with you when you shop.
A bike is the right size when your child can sit on the seat
with feet flat on the ground, with the handlebars no higher than
the shoulders. The salesperson at the store should be able to help
make sure the bike fits properly.
Other Considerations
- Don't buy a bike that's too big, assuming that your
child will grow into it. An oversized bicycle is dangerous and
could lead to injury.
- Bikes for younger kids (about age 7 or younger) should have
coaster (or foot) brakes, not hand brakes.
- Bikes for kids older than 7 should have foot and hand brakes.
That way, kids can get used to using hand brakes before
graduating to the bigger bikes that only have hand brakes.
- If you're buying training wheels, be sure they can be
adjusted as riding skills improve.
And make adjustments when your child outgrows a bike. When
a bike is too small, kids have to stand up on the pedals,
and can't balance as well or get in a position to ride it
safely.
Having a bike that's safe - and a good fit - helps
kids develop a love of bicycling that can last for life!
Reviewed by:
Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: May 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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