Bicycles are not just harmless toys
New riders should know rules of the road

By Chuck Mai Comments 0
Published: December 6, 2008

Imagine it’s Christmas morning, children are laughing, excitement is in the air, and standing next to the tree is a shiny new bicycle. Sweet mobility — every kid’s dream.

A bike rider hits the coping while riding at Mathis Brothers Skate Park on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, in Edmond, Okla. STAFF PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER

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AT A GLANCE

Tips for parents:

→Ask yourself if your child is old enough, mentally and physically, to ride a bike in neighborhood traffic.

→Don’t be tempted to buy a bike your child "will grow into.” Oversized bicycles are dangerous.

→Your child should be able to sit on the bike’s seat and balance with the tips of the toes resting comfortably on the ground.

→Bicycle helmets are 85 percent to 88 percent effective in mitigating head and brain injuries. The use of a helmet is the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes.

Last year, 18.2 million bicycles were sold in the U.S., including 5.4 million with a wheel size smaller than 20 inches — the size typically used by children younger than 6.

But bikes aren’t just harmless toys. They’re associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product besides cars.

In Oklahoma in 2006, bicyclists were involved in 319 crashes. Five were killed and 36 received incapacitating injuries.

Tips for parents:

→Ask yourself if your child is old enough, mentally and physically, to ride a bike in neighborhood traffic.

→Don’t be tempted to buy a bike your child "will grow into.” Oversized bicycles are dangerous.

→Your child should be able to sit on the bike’s seat and balance with the tips of the toes resting comfortably on the ground.

Chuck Mai is vice president of public affairs for AAA Oklahoma. He can be reached at chuck.mai@aaaok.org.