Cycle Safety
The Mountain Bike Trails in Rostrevor have resulted in a biking frenzy in the area although if your child is riding a bike on the roads or streets consider the following to ensure safety at all times.
The best way to help your child learn about road safety is to always set a good example yourself. When you’re cycling with your child you should:
wear a cycle helmet yourself
obey traffic signs, be considerate of other road users and not let yourself be distracted by using a mobile phone or listening to music
encourage them to notice and discuss what they see around them on the road
make sure they know that when they’re on the road they need to concentrate and watch out for other road users all the time
encourage them to take their own decisions - they shouldn’t blindly follow what others are doing without making their own checks first
practice judging speed and distance with them
help them work out the safest routes for the journeys they make
The Correct Clothing
Other road users must be able to see cyclists. There are items of clothing and equipment your child can use to help them keep safe:
get your child to wear fluorescent or light coloured clothing if they are riding during the day or in poor light
after dark, children should wear reflective clothing, as fluorescent or light coloured clothing will not be visible
The Correct Helmet
On average half of the road injuries received by cyclists are to the face and the head. Make sure your child always wears a correctly fitted helmet to protect against head injuries should they fall. It should be worn correctly, which means it:
is positioned squarely on their head, sitting just above the eyebrows and not tilted back or tipped forwards
must be a snug fit
should not stop them seeing clearly or cover their ears
has its straps securely fastened and not twisted, with only enough room for two fingers between their chin and the strap
The Rules of The Road
When your child is out and about, you should encourage them to follow the basic rules of the road:
look behind before they turn, overtake or stop
use arm signals before they turn
obey traffic lights and road signs
do not ride on the pavement unless there is a sign saying they can
do not cycle next to another person on a narrow road
Safe biking!
