LV= STREETWISE’S CYCLING SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

It’s up to every parent to decide the best time to allow their child to cycle unsupervised, based on their ability and cycling environment, but whenever you decide, it’s important to make sure they know how to be safe on the roads. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help keep them out of harm’s way while they’re enjoying the ride and building their confidence on two wheels.

• All young people should undertake a cycling training course before cycling on the roads by themselves. Experts recommend a minimum age of ten years for on-road cycle training courses - below this age children are less likely to be able to successfully cope with the joint tasks of managing a bicycle and negotiating traffic situations. To find out more about cycling courses for your child, log on to www.bikeability.org.uk;

• Ensure children wear a cycle helmet. According to LV= Streetwise research less than half of children are asked to wear a cycling helmet by their parents;

• If you feel your child is too young to cycle safely on the road, ask them to ride on the pavement (with care and consideration for pedestrians). Although pavement cycling is technically illegal unless on a cycle path, the police are likely to show discretion to young children for whom cycling on the road would not be a safe option;

• Young cyclists should always wear light coloured, fluorescent and reflective clothing to help them be seen, as well as having lights on their bike;

• Be aware of the density of the traffic and any problems on the route before thinking about letting your child out unsupervised.

• Before they set off, travel the route with them a few times so that they are confident and familiar with where they’ll be going. You may wish to cycle behind them for a few weeks to build their confidence;

• Accidents do happen and it’s important to be prepared, so ensure your child is able to respond in an emergency. Make sure they know how to make a 999 call, are aware of their home telephone number and know their own address;

• There is safety in numbers, so where possible ensure your child has a cycling ‘buddy’ whenever they’re out– such as a friend or older sibling;

• As well as being road safe, it’s a good idea to ensure your child knows how to respond to other risks – such as meeting strangers, or getting lost. Perhaps ask them to carry a mobile phone so they can get in touch if they run into trouble;

• If your child is cycling to school or to a friend’s house, let another adult (e.g. teacher, friend’s parent, babysitter) know and provide them with an idea of when they can expect your child to arrive;

• For details on local cycle training courses parents should contact their council’s Road Safety Team who will be happy to help, or visit www.streetwise.org.uk for more information.