Teaching Bicycle Safety Tips To Beginning or Youth Riders

If limited on time, going through the ABC’s and the first ten are the most crucial tips. 

Items Needed for the Demonstration:

Helmet

Water bottle or hydration pack

Bicycle with a working front and back light

Proper shoe wear (no open toe sandals)

Safety Vest


Script:

What a beautiful day to go on a bike ride! Let’s be safe while we’re riding today.

Let’s begin with a quick ABC safety check. Air: properly inflated tires that feel firm when pressed. Brakes: (Lift 1 tire up at a time and spin it). Squeeze the levers and see if the wheels stop. Chain: Should look like metal without rust.  And remember to store your bike on your porch, in a garage, or house to keep it secure and clean.  If you take care of your bike, it will take care of you. 

1. Ask for volunteers to demo a vest and helmet. The number one protective gear is helmets. Why do you think that’s important? Before getting on a bike, put on a proper fitting and brain protective helmet that fits snuggly. It should fit 2 finger widths above eyebrows and under chin with the strap making a Y around the ears.

2. Wear bright clothes and put reflectors on your bike. It can help you stay safe because it helps other people on the road see you. Bikes need a white light on the front and a red light on the back of your bike.  Use them even when riding in the daytime. 

3. Wear the right shoes, like sneakers, when you bike. Sandals and flip-flops will prevent you from properly gripping the pedals. Never go riding barefoot!  You want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, like loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces.


4.  Be PREDICTABLE: Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road.

5.  Always ride with both your hands on the handlebars.

6.  Always stop and check for traffic coming from both directions before entering a trail or road. When on the road, look at the direction of car tires for that will confirm the direction that they will be traveling.

7.  Use hand signals.  Oklahoma law allows for the right arm to be used for indicating a right turn.  This may not be true in other states so you need to know both ways.

8.  Which side of the road should you ride on? Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars. Bicycles are considered vehicles therefore need to follow the Rules of the Road.

9.  Only cross streets at intersections. If you pull out between parked cars, drivers cannot see you coming. Always assume that they cannot see you.

10.  All riders should walk their bikes across busy intersections when using the crosswalk.  When following traffic signals: Red lights or red signs mean you need to stop. Green lights mean you can go but always check to see if anything is coming. Treat any yellow light like a stop sign.  Oklahoma law allows you to treat a red stop light like a stop sign, and a stop sign like a yield sign. (Need to error on side of caution when teaching to a young audience.)

11.  Watch for things on the road or trails like debris or potholes.

12.  When passing other cyclists or people on streets or trails, always pass them on their left side, and loudly call out: "on your left!" so they know you are going to pass them. If you have a bell on your bike, first ring the bell and then call out “on your left”.

13.  Bring water and stay hydrated.

14.  Use bike lanes wherever you can.

15.  Ride single file on the street with friends.