Bicycle Safety: Springing into Spring Safely

By Michele Blandino

Despite all appearances to the contrary (at least in some parts of the country), Spring will arrive soon. And, as the temperatures rise, adults and children alike will dust off their bicycles, inline skates and other outdoor equipment and take to the streets.

Before heading out though, you should take a few minutes to make sure everything is in good working order. Like any machine, a bicycle that sits idly for several months may need some attention before it is put back into use.

While the less mechanically inclined prefer to take their bicycles to a shop to be professionally serviced, it is possible to conduct a standard safety check on your own. Some things to look for are:

• Brakes – Assuming your bicycle has hand brakes, you should test their effectiveness by pushing the handbrake as hard as possible. When fully pushed, there should be a space equal to the width of two fingers remaining between the brake lever and the handlebar. If there is more space than that, the cables likely need to be tightened. Be sure also to check that the brake lever is tightly attached to the handlebar. Any frayed or broken cables should be replaced. Next, take a look at the brake block (that’s the rubber part of the brake that touches the wheel). It should be aligned with the wheel rim and not touch the tire or spokes.
• Other Equipment – Take a look at the chain and make sure it is snugly in place and well lubricated. Likewise, the pedal bearings should be lubricated and any lost or worn pedal treads should be replaced. The tires should be properly inflated (the recommended pressure is typically stamped on the tire’s sidewall) and the wheel’s spokes should be checked with loose spokes tightened or replaced. There should be reflectors on each wheel; amber on the front and red on the back. These should be visible from a distance of 500 feet. Similarly, the reflector mounted on the rear of the bicycle should be visible from the same distance.
• Helmets – Unless there has been a significant weight gain or loss, adults generally do not have to worry about checking their helmets for size. Children, on the other hand, tend to outgrow their helmets from year to year. A correctly fitting helmet is one that fits comfortably yet is snug enough so that the skin of the brow area moves when the helmet is moved from side to side. In addition, when placed on the head, the helmet should be level and not tipped too far to the front or back. A good rule of thumb is that the front of the helmet should rest about two finger-widths above the eyebrows. While the helmet is among the most important pieces of gear, time should also be taken to ensure any other protective equipment such as knee and elbow pads, wrist guards and mouth pieces fits properly.

Rules of the Road

Finally, before you send your child on their way, be sure to take the time to review the rules of the road. Be sure that they know to only cross at designated crosswalks, to ride with traffic and to be on the alert for objects in the road which may cause them to lose their balance. Similarly, be sure your child knows how far from home they are able to travel and which streets or neighborhoods they are forbidden from visiting. Depending on your child’s age, you may impose a requirement that they are to be with at least one other person when venturing from the immediate neighborhood.