Training wheels or no training wheels?

What size helmet do I need?

Is this bike too big for my child?

Are they safe?

Getting your child their first bike is exciting for them but comes with plenty of questions for mom and dad.

At WVU Medicine Children’s, we want kids to enjoy the freedom of riding a bike while being as safe as possible.

So, from buying the bike to fitting a helmet, we have everything you need to know before your little ones take off on a joy ride.

Choosing the right bike

A bike that’s the wrong size isn’t just uncomfortable, it can cause a child to lose control and get hurt.

When you decide to purchase a bike for your child, don’t push them into a two-wheeled bike until they’re ready. Typically, that’s around age five or six.

When you think it’s the right time, take your child with you to shop for a bike. It’s fun for them, and you can make sure it’s the right fit.

We know it’s tempting to buy a bike your child can “grow into,” but an oversized bike is very dangerous.

So, how do you know the bike fits?

Your child must be able to sit on the seat with their hands on the handlebars and have the balls of both feet on the ground.

Don’t forget a helmet!

More children between the ages of 5 and 14 go to emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries than with any other sport. Many of those are head injuries.

When your child picks out their brand-new bike, a helmet should be their best accessory.

With so many choices and sizes, how do you choose the right one?

First, look for a Consumer Product Safety Commission-approved helmet.

You’ll want to make sure your child tries it on. Sit the helmet squarely on top of their head and make sure it covers the top of their forehead.

If the helmet fits well, it won’t move around or slide down over your child’s eyes when you push or pull the helmet, or your child shakes their head around.

Snap the strap under their chin snugly.

Some people think that a football helmet will work just as well as a bicycle helmet, but that’s not the case. Football helmets are made to protect the head from other types of injuries, not those that can happen while biking.

Enforcing proper helmet safety with learning to ride a bike is key to promoting good habits as your children grow.

The sun goes down, bikes go away.

While many kids try to squeeze the most out of every moment of summer, biking is not a nighttime activity.

Even with reflectors on the wheels or wearing a reflective vest, it’s just too dangerous.

Night riding requires special skills, so your child should park the bike starting at dusk.

Biking should be fun!

Although taking these extra steps may seem less fun, doing them now means less worry when your child runs out the door to play.

Hundreds of thousands of children are seriously injured in bicycle falls each year, and nothing can interrupt summer fun like a trip to the emergency room.

Just because you didn’t wear a helmet as a child doesn’t mean your children shouldn’t wear one. While many kids are lucky enough to be injury-free, is it worth the risk?

Remember if you have any questions, the WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program is here to help. You can reach the team at WVUMChildrensInjuryPrevention@WVUMedicine.org or 304-554-8519.