Last year we gave you the top tips and tricks for teaching your children to ride, and this year we want to zero in on making sure they stay safe on the road! The same safety precautions apply whether they are riding in the backyard, local trails, or around the neighborhood streets. When children learn biking safety at a young age, these guidelines become second nature to them, ensuring that they continue to practice safe cycling throughout their lives. We've put together a few of the most important rules to follow to make sure your little cyclists continue to stay safe and have a great time!

Always Wear a Helmet:

• Be sure your child's helmet is the right size: tight enough that it can't be pulled up or twisted around when buckled securely, and big enough that it covers the child's forehead.
• On the off-chance that your child does have a crash that impacts the helmet, it is mandatory that you replace the helmet right away. Helmets are considered a one-time use product, and after they have been heavily impacted once, they are no longer safe to use.

Check the Following Features to Ensure a Safe Ride:

• Brakes: make sure they are working properly.
• Tires: check that they have plenty of air, and the correct PSI.
• Bolts: the seat, handlebars and wheels should be screwed on tightly.

Additional Safety Tips:

• All the kid's bikes we sell come with reflectors, but it is wise to also use a taillight even during the day to be sure that drivers are aware.
• Be careful of loose pants and shoelaces, which can get stuck on the chain.
• Riding barefoot or in flip-flops is not very safe, so be sure your child has a good pair of sneakers.

Kid's Bikes for All Sizes

If you're shopping for your child's first bike, or need to go a size up from last year's, here is a quick guide to our kid's bikes and the different sizes we offer. Kid's bikes are sized in inches based on the wheel size. Be sure to always have your child sized by a professional here in our bike shop; riding the wrong size bike can be very unsafe. Once your child has outgrown a 24" bike, it is time to move on to adult bikes!

Cannondale

Trail 16"   |   Trail 20"   |   Street 24" (also available: Trail 24" and Race 24")

Specialized

Hot Rock 12"   |   Hot Rock 16"   |   Hot Rock 20" Single Speed (multi-speed options also available)   |   Hot Rock 24" (cross country, street, and Rip Rock fat tire options also available)

Balance Bikes - 12"

Strider   |   Specialized Hot Walk