Kids are Commuters, Too

Kids ride bikes because it is fun. Of course, kids ride bikes for a variety of other reasons, but fun sums it up best.

Up to about age 10, most kids are restricted to riding close to home unless they are with a parent.

From about age 10 on, and especially once they enter middle school, most kids have greater freedom as to where they can ride. Transportation becomes a major reason why they ride - in addition to fun, of course!

They ride to school, to after school activities, to friends' houses, to parks, libraries, stores and wherever they hang out.

A Well-groomed Steed
There are many things that we can do to make bicycling easier and safer for our kids. First, take a look at your kid's bicycle. Is it in good working order? Does it fit your son or daughter well?

If you have any questions, your local bicycle shop will be glad to look it over. A good shop mechanic can quickly let you know if there are any problems. Kids are often carrying things with them when they bike somewhere: books from school; a soccer ball or baseball glove to a game; electronic games, trading cards, or other games and toys to a friend's house. These things can be carried in a backpack, or strapped to a rack over the rear wheel.

Baskets or special bags called panniers can be attached to a rack to make carrying things even easier.

Teach Your Children Well
Parents are always concerned about their kids' safety when bicycling. Teaching safety is the best way to get yourself and your child to a level of comfort that will allow them to bike more freely and have more fun.

Their safety can be improved in a number of ways.

First, we can teach our children how to safely operate their bicycles on the street. This means helping them understand the rules of the road and why these rules exist. It is also important to teach them what other drivers are expecting.

Riding with your children is a great way to teach proper traffic skills. It is also a way to judge their abilities so you know how much independence they can handle.

Some of the most important skills to teach them include:

1. Always ride on the right side of the road. Do not ride in the gutter. Stay at least 3 feet out from parked cars to avoid a suddenly opened car door.
2. Stop and search for traffic before entering the street. Children should understand that drivers expect any traffic, cars or bicycles, to do this.
3. Stop at all stop signs and then yield to traffic before going. Again, this is what drivers are expecting.
4. Always look behind for traffic before turning left or changing position on the road. They should understand that traffic close behind them already occupies the space they want to move into. And they cannot move into that space until it is safe to do so.

If they ride on sidewalks, they need to be aware of the hazards there and to ride accordingly.

• Always yield to pedestrians by slowing down, give an audible signal and pass safely.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways. Drivers often can not see bicyclists on the sidewalks because of bushes or fences near the driveway, particularly if they are backing out.
• Be extra careful when crossing streets. Just like at driveways, drivers are usually not looking for bicyclists on the sidewalk.

Bone Up on Bike Safety
If you are unsure about safe bicycle operation, take a class yourself, or take a class with your kids. There are Effective Cycling classes for adults and for children. Contact the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin at (608) 251-4456 or bfw@mailbag.com for a schedule of Effective Cycling classes in your area.

Arthur Ross is the pedestrian/bicycle safety coordinator for the city of Madison. He is an Effective Cycling instructor and Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin board member.