What bicycle skills should a child have before riding to school?

Key messages for bicyclist safety skills include:
Before riding to school, children first need to have sufficient bicycle handling skills, including the ability to ride in a straight line, ride in a straight line while scanning the situation ahead, behind and to the side, stop quickly using the bicycle's brakes without swerving, falling or colliding with anything, swerve in a controlled manner to avoid a hazard or collision. Knowing how to prepare for a bicycle ride and following the rules of the road are as equally important as knowing having sufficient bicycle handling skills

1. What a child needs to do to prepare for a bicycle ride

• Dress appropriately
• Wear a properly fitted helmet.
• Ride a bicycle that fits.
• Ride a bicycle that is in good condition.
• Do not carry anyone else on the bicycle.
• Do not carry anything in your hands.
• It is best to ride only in daylight

2. Rules to follow during the bicycle ride.

• Choose the route with the fewest streets to cross and that avoids busy and high-speed streets.
• Before entering the street, look for other vehicles
• Keep paying attention to your surroundings including potholes and parked cars.
• Watch for vehicles turning into or exiting driveways.
• Stop at all intersections and check for traffic before crossing.
• Ride in a straight line.
• Follow all traffic laws
• Always check in front and behind for traffic before changing lanes, crossing intersections or turning.
• If riding on a sidewalk or path, ride slowly and be prepared to stop quickly.

For more detailed information on bicycle safety messages visit the Bicycle safety skills section of the SRTS Guide.