{"id":20203,"date":"2023-01-30T16:57:16","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T21:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20203"},"modified":"2023-03-03T14:39:37","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:39:37","slug":"bicycle-safety-for-kids-handling-concussions-and-other-common-bicycling-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/bicycle-safety-for-kids-handling-concussions-and-other-common-bicycling-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Bicycle Safety for Kids: Handling Concussions and Other Common Bicycling Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Biking is a great activity for kids. It allows them to get some fresh air, exercise and spend time away from screens. However, there are risks if you don’t prepare your child properly.\u00a0Hundreds of thousands of kids get injured in bicycle <\/a><\/span>accidents<\/span> each year. <\/span>Bike helmets prevent<\/span><\/a> 52-60 percent of bike-related head injury deaths. <\/span>Because helmets are so important for our safety when riding bicycles, we must teach our children and teens the <\/span>benefits of helmets<\/span><\/a> and how to use them properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, find some other ways to keep your kids safe when they want to go for a bike ride.<\/p>\n

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Teaching kids to ride<\/h2>\n

The best way to get your children <\/span>comfortable with helmets<\/span><\/a> is to ensure they wear them as soon as they start riding on scooters and tricycles. If your child rides on your bike with you in a bike accessory, be sure to put a helmet on them then, too. It’s essential that your children also see the adults in their lives wearing helmets; this will reinforce the habit and set a good example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you go for a bike ride, spend a few minutes chatting with your kids about why helmets are so important. Teaching them why they should wear a helmet will go a long way to encourage future helmet usage. Explain that while it might seem like a toy, a bike is a vehicle. Educate them about the dangers of head injuries, illustrating that helmets protect their brains from injuries and even death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, as kids get older, they might think helmets aren’t cool. Give examples of professional athletes who wear helmets and tell them that professional <\/span>bicycle racers are typically required to wear helmets.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Letting your kids select the color or style of their helmet or allowing them to decorate it is a great way to get them excited about using it. If your child grabs their helmet on their way out the door for a bike or scooter ride without being prompted by you, provide lots of <\/span>praise and encouragement.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage your kid’s friends to wear helmets, and chat with their parents if you feel helmet safety needs to be taken more seriously by their child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Safe cycling basics<\/h3>\n

Helmets<\/h3>\n

Choosing the right helmet<\/span><\/a> is very important. Different <\/span>helmets<\/span><\/a> are made specifically for different activities. Make sure their <\/span>helmet fits properly<\/span><\/a> and doesn’t wiggle on their head. Look for helmets with multiple adjustment points to get the best possible fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bike fit<\/h3>\n

It can be tempting to buy a large bike your child can grow into. However, this can be very dangerous. It is important to <\/span>select a bike<\/span><\/a> that is the appropriate size for your child. Bring them to the store with you when you buy their bike. Here are some tips on <\/span>choosing the correct bike size.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Road safety<\/h3>\n

Some parents worry that teaching children to use hand signals on the bike will do more harm than good as they have to take their hands off the handlebars to signal. However, hand signaling is a crucial part of bike safety and should be taught to children and teens. Teach<\/span> them<\/span><\/a> to look both ways before crossing a street, driveway, alleyway or wherever cars travel. Please make sure they always <\/span>cross at intersections. <\/span><\/a>Avoid driving close to parked vehicles, as doors can open suddenly and cause injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Always <\/span>ride your bike with traffic<\/span><\/a> to help lessen the chance of injury. While some people think it is better to ride against traffic, this can confuse drivers.\u00a0<\/span>Have your children wear brightly colored clothes, so drivers can easily see them. Sneakers are the safest footwear. Flip-flops or sandals should not be worn on the bike. Before they pedal away, teach kids to check their bikes and perform <\/span>basic bike maintenance<\/span><\/a>. For instance, you can show them each them how to adjust a bike seat seat and pump tires to ensure there is enough air.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Riding at night<\/h3>\n

While bike riding at night might be safe for adults, it is <\/span>not a safe activity for children<\/span><\/a>. Even with a reflective vest, it is not safe. Night riding requires specific skills and equipment inappropriate for children, so keep your kids from riding at dusk or after dark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Minimizing distractions<\/h3>\n

Teach your child to minimize distractions while riding their bike. It is essential to be aware of your surroundings while cycling. Cell phones should be stored away safely and not used while the bike is in motion. Taking phone calls or texting while riding your bike increases the risk of injury.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Remote area biking safety<\/h3>\n

Teens and young adults might want to go mountain or dirt biking. Be sure they are using appropriate bikes and helmets for these activities. Your teen must <\/span>know what to do<\/span><\/a> if they get lost or separated when doing these activities. Riders should always bring a phone, a wilderness first aid kit, an emergency contact list and spare bike parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Common biking injuries<\/h3>\n

For kids just learning to ride a bike or ones who have been riding for years, cuts and scrapes are common injuries. <\/span>Teach your children proper hygiene<\/span><\/a> to avoid infection from these cuts and scrapes. They should wash their hands, wash the wound, remove debris, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the area. Keep the bandage clean, and be mindful of potential infection as the abrasion heals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sprains and tears<\/span><\/a> are more common injuries for teens than young children. This can happen suddenly due to muscle overuse from repetitive movements. To avoid sprains or tears, warm up before the ride, <\/span>stretch afterward<\/span><\/a>, and ensure the bike seat is adjusted correctly. You will know if your child has a sprain if they experience pain, swelling, warmth, bruising, redness, weakness or trouble using the injured area normally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the <\/span>most common biking injuries<\/span><\/a> for teens and kids is <\/span>head injuries<\/span><\/a>. Head injuries can be mild such as a cut on the cheek, or severe such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury.<\/span> A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury<\/span><\/a> that happens when a blow to the head or an injury makes the head move back and forth with a lot of force. This causes chemical changes in the brain and sometimes damage to the brain cells. While you might lose consciousness from a concussion, that isn’t always the case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Signs and symptoms of a concussion include<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n