Bike Safety and Helmet Check
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What you will learn
- 1Check that a helmet fits: level, straps in a V, and snug
- 2Check the tires, brakes, and chain with a grown-up before a ride
- 3Dress to be seen and keep laces tied
- 4Ride where your grown-up says and look and listen at driveways and crossings
Mini Lesson
Riding a bike is fun and a great way to get around. A helmet protects your head, but only if it fits well. Before every ride, you check your helmet and your bike. Then you ride in a safe way, so you and others stay safe.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- LEVEL: the helmet sits flat on your head, about two fingers above your eyebrows.
- V STRAPS: the side straps make a V shape just under each ear.
- SNUG CHIN STRAP: buckle it so only about one finger fits under it.
- NO WOBBLE: shake your head - the helmet should stay in place.
- BIKE CHECK: with a grown-up, check the tires have air, the brakes work, and the chain is on.
- BE SEEN: wear bright or light clothes, and tie your laces so they cannot catch.
🚲 On the Ride
- RIDE where your grown-up says, and follow the road rules where you live with your grown-up.
- LOOK and LISTEN at every driveway and crossing - cars may come out.
- WALK your bike across the road.
- SINGLE FILE: with friends, ride one behind the other.
Riding without a helmet is unsafe, so always wear your helmet, buckled, every ride. If your helmet has had a hard crash, a grown-up decides if it must be replaced - a crashed helmet may not protect you again. A grown-up checks your bike with you and tells you where you may ride.
Words to know
helmet
A hard hat that protects your head when you ride.
e.g. I buckle my helmet before I ride.
snug
Close and firm, but not too tight.
e.g. My chin strap is snug.
brakes
The parts you squeeze or press to slow down and stop.
e.g. I test my brakes before I ride.
chain
The metal loop that turns the back wheel when you pedal.
e.g. The chain is on, so the bike can go.
driveway
The short road from a house or garage to the street.
e.g. A car may back out of a driveway.
single file
One behind the other, in a line.
e.g. We ride in single file.
💡 Handy Tip: remember "2 - V - 1". Two fingers above your eyebrows, a V under each ear, and one finger under the chin strap. Check all three before every ride.
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