kid with a bike on a sidewalk

How Sidewalks Can Help Prevent Personal Injury To Kids

For an experienced cyclist, the streets can be seen as a safe place to ride a bike but that will not be the same for your kids. According to statistics, 3 out of 4 children ride a bicycle every month but the number of injuries has been going up which is unfortunate. As a parent, you’ll always want to make sure that your kid is safe whenever they’re playing outside. When they get injured as a result of negligence, you’ll want justice to prevail. This could mean getting a personal injury attorney for the case. Here are the safety tips that can be taken by parents to ensure that their kids are protected when they’re out cycling.

Wearing a Helmet All the Time

It’s imperative that kids are wearing a helmet whenever they’re riding a bike. Head injuries can have serious implications. The risks of injuries are reduced by up to 85% when kids wear a helmet. It doesn’t matter if the kid is riding the bike on the driveway or on the street, wearing a helmet should be mandatory.

Get the Right Helmet and Right Fit

In addition to wearing a helmet, you’ll want to make sure that’s the right size and fit for it to be effective in preventing injuries. A good example is with football helmets. Since they’re hard, they’ll not be ideal for biking. Biking helmets are designed for head-first falls. This means that the focus will be on protecting the head in case of a fall. The helmet will only be effective if it’s correctly sized. This is something you need to keep in mind when shopping.

Wearing Proper Clothing

Wearing bright clothes should be made compulsory when kids are riding their bikes on the streets. Lights on the front and the wearing of reflectors can help with increasing visibility. Make sure that the kids aren’t wearing any loose-fitting clothes as they could get stuck on the chain thus increasing the chances of an accident.

Riding a Bike that Fits

Bikes are available in different sizes and shapes. You want to get one that is complementary to your kid’s skill level and age. Most importantly, it should be the right size. Tag your kid along when shopping so as to have a clear idea of the requirements after trying the different bikes.

Performing Safety Checks

Safety checks should be carried out before every ride. It’s important to make sure that the bike is in good shape. Make sure that everything is well fitted and that nothing is falling apart. You also need to come up with guidelines including where the child is allowed to ride the bike. If you’re unsure about your child’s ability to follow instructions, you can take up the supervisory role. You will only allow the child to ride the bike unsupervised once you’re comfortable they can manage on their own. Accidents can still happen even when precautions are taken. To learn about personal injury law, visit https://midwestlaw.group/services/personal-injury-attorneys/

 

Midwest Trial Lawyers

9300 West 150th 

Terrace Overland Park KS 66221

(913) 380-4004


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