In summer, Americans enjoy spending more and more time outside – particularly children relishing their time away from school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 140 million emergency room visits occur in the U.S. every year. Bicycle accidents, which are among the top reasons for emergency room visits during the summer months, can lead to head injuries, broken bones, bruises, and fractures.

Let’s look at some bike safety tips that can keep kids safe:

1. Wear a helmet

Ensuring helmets fit snugly and are properly fastened is the most effective way to prevent head injuries.

2. Wear proper shoes

Ensure kids wear closed-toe shoes to protect their feet and provide a better grip on the pedals.

3. Make sure your child is visible

Dress children in bright clothing and equip the bike with lights and reflectors.

4. Avoid riding at night

If kids must ride at night, make sure their bike has proper lighting and they wear reflective gear.

5. Check the bike 

Regularly inspect the tires, brakes, and chains to make sure everything is in working order.

6. Teach hand signals

Make sure children know the proper hand signals to indicate when they are turning left, right, and stopping.

7. Follow the rules

Teach children to obey traffic signs and signals, to ride on the right side of the road, and to use hand signals as appropriate.

8. Supervise young riders

Always accompany younger children and choose areas away from traffic.

9. Ride on bike paths

Encourage kids to ride on designated bike paths or in safe, low-traffic areas to reduce the risk of accidents with vehicles.

10. Practice safe riding skills

Before hitting the road, make sure kids practice riding in a safe environment. Teach them how to control their bike, how to look over their shoulder while maintaining a straight line, and how to navigate around obstacles. Practicing helps build confidence and skill, which are crucial for safe riding.

Following these tips, along with careful supervision and education, can help keep children safe while they enjoy riding their bikes. Happy and safe riding!

This content was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Cigna’s editorial team.