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Children
& Teens : teenage cyclists 13-17
 Cycling
with more independence carries with it what can feel like a burden
of greater responsibility. Cyclists hitting their teenage years
are probably ready to cycle further and faster- they may be exploring
bike racing, touring, or trail riding. But even though the teenage
cyclist's skills and interests may have changed dramatically, they
should be reminded that the rules of the road remain the same.
A great lesson for the teenage cyclist is to learn to treat his
or her newfound responsibility and freedom as a privilege, rather
than a hindrance. Risky behaviors put cyclists at the mercy of motor
vehicles; teen cyclists should by all means enjoy the ride, but
always keep their movements visible and predictable.
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learn
about important safety information. more |
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learn
the fundamentals of good bicycling. more |
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view
an extensive list of resources on the web. more |
Cautions
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A bike is no match for a 2-5,000 pound vehicle. Most teenagers
will learn to drive a car and get their driver's license.
When they do, it's important they don't forget what it's like
to be a cyclist. Emphasize that cyclists in this age group
shouldn't let the newfound freedom of driving get in the way
of common sense; to avoid injury or worse, it's vital that
as a motorist and as a cyclist, they should act safely and
share the road. |
Tools and
Skills
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Teach the teenage cyclist to continue to work on good riding
skills- performing panic stops, riding in the winter and in
inclement weather. |
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Teach teen cyclists about off road and trail bicycling. |
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Teach this age group the most important traffic laws for bicyclists.
Explain different crashes- typical scenarios and crash types,
and how to steer clear of them. |
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Although it's not recommended for anyone to ride at night,
show teenage cyclists how to be prepared if they ever do:
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Use
proper lights. Blinking red brake lights are better
than stationary ones. A bright white headlight is highly
recommended and even required in some states. |
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Wear
light and/or reflective clothing: reflectors can be
worn on ankles, reflective stickers can be affixed to
bags or backpacks, for instance. |
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Emphasize the importance of wearing a helmet. Although helmets
might not have seemed so dorky when they were younger, teenagers
are likely to be tempted not to wear helmets. Tell them to
think about how uncool brain damage is. Wearing a good-fitting
helmet properly reduces a cyclist's risk of major injury and/or
fatality by as much as 88%. |
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Explain that it is extremely useful and wise to brush up on
bicycling safety fundamentals (look back to our earlier sections)
when a teenager move to a city or college where he or she
may not have a car and will be using a bike as a major mode
of transportation. |
Links
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