This summer make sure your kids know the “rules of the road” when heading out in your neighborhood to bike.  Here are things that our friend, Jordan Smitter, a Priority Health professional cyclist, suggests.

  • First and foremost make sure your child wears a bike helmet whenever going for a ride.
  • Make sure that your child has the appropriate footwear.  Sandals and open toed shoes should never be worn when riding a bike.
  • At the beginning of each summer, take your family’s bikes to a local bike shop to make sure they’re in good working order.
  • Make sure you that your child knows where the breaks are located before going for a ride.
  • Talk to your child before they go out alone.  Make sure you know where they are going and how long they’ll be out for.
  • When riding in a neighborhood make your child is aware of cars.  Not only cars in the road, but those in the driveway.
  • When crossing the street or an intersection, make sure your child always looks left, right, and left again before crossing.