Wearing a properly fitted helmet designed for the activity is the single most effective safety practice to reduce head injury and death from bicycle and other wheeled sports injuries. Properly fitted helmets, ones that are the right size, include buckled straps and are correctly adjusted on the head can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45%. Although helmet use has increased during the past few decades, most parents of children ages 5 to 14 say their child often goes without a helmet while riding a bike. 

One of the biggest influencers of this safety practice is parent behavior. If you wear a helmet when biking, your child is more likely to use one. When you don’t wear a helmet, it’s highly likely that your child won’t wear one either. Children who start wearing helmets as toddlers often develop the lifelong habit of wearing one every time they are on wheeled equipment.

In Pennsylvania, by law anyone under the age of 12 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. This applies to anyone operating the bicycle, riding as a passenger or riding in an attached restraining seat or trailer. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation strongly recommends that all bicyclists wear helmets whenever they ride.

Steps to check helmet fit:

Step 1 - Size

• To determine the helmet size needed, measure the circumference of your child’s head for approximate size. Consider that their hairstyle may need to be adjusted for the helmet to fit properly on their head.
• Try the helmet on to ensure it fits snuggly. While it sits flat on top of your child’s head, make sure the helmet doesn’t rock back and forth or side to side. Use the sizing pads that often come with new helmets to ensure a secure fit. Adjust the sizing pads for the greatest comfort. If the helmet has a universal fit ring instead of sizing pads, adjust the ring size to fit your child’s head.

Step 2 - Position

• The helmet should sit level on the head and low on the forehead one or two finger widths above the eyebrow.

Step 3 - Side Straps

• Adjust the slider on both straps to form a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears.
• This task may be easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.

Step 4 - Chin Strap

• Buckle the chin strap. Tighten the strap until it is snug so that no more than one or two fingers fit under the strap.
• This task may be easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.

Step 5 - Final Fitting

• Does the helmet fit correctly?
  • The helmet should not rock back and forth or side to side. If it does, take the helmet off and adjust the padding or straps as needed. Re-buckle and test again.
  • Have the child open their mouth wide in a big yawn. The helmet should pull down on the head.

For more information, see the bike safety tip sheet

Equipment

It is important to keep your bike in good working condition.  A good place to start is a basic bike check (ABC Quick Check) before riding.

• Air in tires
• Brakes are working
• Cranks and chain
• Quick release levers closed
• Check over the entire bike

If you need assistance or bike repairs, your local bike shop is a great resource.

Ensure that the bicycle is adjusted to the size of the rider. When standing over the bike, there should be one to two inches between you and the top bar if using a road bike, and three to four inches if using a mountain bike. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The bike handle height should be at the same level with the seat.

Visibility

Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors when riding (white does not make you more visible). Also wear something that reflects light or put flashing lights on the bike so that drivers can see you. Avoid riding at night but, if it is unavoidable, you must have a front light and rear reflector.

No matter where you bike, it is important to be courteous and predictable. Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks and bicycle paths. You must give an audible signal as you approach and pass a pedestrian. Automobiles are not required to yield to bicycles in a crosswalk (at a trail crossing for example), as the bicycle is treated as a vehicle. A better choice is to dismount and walk your bike across.

Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code refers to bicycles as “pedalcycles,” which are considered vehicles. Every person riding a pedalcycle on a roadway is held to the rights and responsibilities applicable to a driver of a vehicle, with certain exceptions. This means that bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic, obey stop signs and traffic lights, yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and crosswalks and obey other relevant traffic laws. It is even more imperative to be predictable around vehicles. Make sure to ride in a straight line with at least one hand on the handlebars. Check to be sure your path is clear and change directions without swerving. Use hand signals to indicate when you are turning.  

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation lists bicycle laws and other important recommendations here: Bicycle Safety and Pennsylvania Laws (pa.gov)

No matter the wheeled sport, always wear a helmet. Different sports have different helmet safety standards. Be sure that your child is using the correct type of helmet for the sport they are playing. For skating, skateboarding and riding hoverboards, it is important that they also wear properly fitting knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. And, when riding a scooter, they should wear properly fitting knee pads and elbow pads.

Most wheeled activities have height and weight restrictions, and there are different types of equipment for different types of play. Make sure the activity is appropriate for the rider and the style of play. Equally important is ensuring your child has enough coordination and strength to safely play. Do not use homemade skateboard ramps or ride in wet weather, in crowded areas or when it is dark.

Skating and Skateboarding Safety Tips