Injury Prevention & Safety

Child Safety

At Play

Overview | Playground safety | Bike and other wheeled recreation | Other recreation

Bike and other wheeled recreation

Ready to ride?

Children have the physical skills to ride a tricycle or bicycle at an early age. With adult supervision, children under 10 years old can ride safely on pathways and roads with little traffic and a low speed limit.

Between the ages of 10 and 14, children are ready to start learning the skills that will keep them safe when cycling on busier, higher speed roadways. Children need to be able to handle complex skills, including balancing the bike, watching for approaching traffic, and paying attention to road signs. These skills take training, practice, and time to develop. Children are not ready to cycle alone until they understand road safety rules, know how to signal, and know how to avoid risks.

Make sure that your child’s bicycle is in good condition, with firm tires, working brakes, and a well-lubricated chain. Equip the bike with a light, a bell, and reflectors.

Got a brain? Get a helmet!

In the event of a crash, a bike helmet reduces the risk of head injury by up to 85%. In Canada, bike helmets that meet current safety standards are certified by the Canadian Standards Association. Bike helmets are the law in Alberta for children under the age of 18. Make it a family affair – ensure that everyone in your family wears a bike helmet for every ride.

Take the bike helmet YES test to learn how to properly fit a bike helmet. The fit should be snug, and helmet should be level and stable. Remember that helmets should be replaced every 5 years, or in the event of a crash. Second-hand helmets are not recommended.

Get Trained

There are several organizations in Calgary that offer professional training in safe cycling, for both kids and adults! These include:

Bike trailers and bike-mounted carriers

Bike trailers and carriers can introduce your young child to the joys of cycling, but there is risk involved. Children are not ready to travel in a bicycle trailer or carrier until they can sit upright, have good head control, and are over one year of age.

Bike-mounted carriers have a high centre of gravity, making them less stable than bike trailers. Carriers can be harder to handle and are more likely than trailers to tip over.

When using a bike-mounted carrier

Always follow the instructions that came with your carrier.
Ensure that the device is properly secured to your bike.
Tighten the harness system.
Ensure that your child's feet cannot catch in the wheels.
Never leave your child unattended in the carrier.

When using a bike trailer

Always follow the instructions that came with your trailer.
Ensure that the device is properly secured to your bike; a trailer with a rotating hitch will prevent tipping if the bike falls, and metal bars or a “roll cage” will prevent child injury if the trailer tips.
Tighten the harness system.
Make sure the removable sides are in place.
Do not overload the trailer.
Mount the trailer with a brightly-coloured flag at least 3 ft (91 cm) tall so that it can be seen more easily.

Bike-mounted carriers and bike trailers can be challenging to use. Practice riding on quiet streets before heading out onto busy roads and pathways. Install a mirror on your bike handle bars so that you can check your child as you ride. And remember, bike helmets are the law in Alberta. Ensure that both you and your child wear the gear.

Small wheeled recreation safety

In the event of a crash, helmets can reduce the risk of head injury for kids involved in small wheeled activities, like in-line skating and riding a scooter.

Sport-specific helmets are recommended for some small wheeled activities, like skateboarding. Skateboarding helmets cover the back of the head and are designed to protect against more than one crash.

Multi-sport helmets meet safety standards for more than one activity. Be sure to read the label carefully to be certain which activities a multi-sport helmet has been approved for. If you have any questions, contact the manufacturer.

Remember, no matter what wheeled activity your child is involved in, help them to take smart risks:

Look First

Inspect equipment and the play area at the start of each activity to make sure it is safe for use. Supervise actively.

Get Trained

Ensure that your child receives professional instruction in their activities of choice.

Wear the Gear

Children who do not wear protective equipment are at increased risk for injury. Get the right gear for each activity, make sure it fits, and ensure your child wears it properly every time he wheels.

Want to know more?

Take the b ike helmet YES test – How to properly fit a bike helmet

Kids don't bounce!

Injury Prevention & Safety

Child Safety

At Play

Bike and other wheeled recreation

Ready to ride?

Got a brain? Get a helmet!

Get Trained

Bike trailers and bike-mounted carriers

Small wheeled recreation safety

Look First

Get Trained

Wear the Gear

Want to know more?

Recommended web links




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Kids don't bounce!	Injury Prevention & Safety Child Safety At Play Overview \| Playground safety \| Bike and other wheeled recreation \| Other recreation Bike and other wheeled recreation Ready to ride? Children have the physical skills to ride a tricycle or bicycle at an early age. With adult supervision, children under 10 years old can ride safely on pathways and roads with little traffic and a low speed limit. Between the ages of 10 and 14, children are ready to start learning the skills that will keep them safe when cycling on busier, higher speed roadways. Children need to be able to handle complex skills, including balancing the bike, watching for approaching traffic, and paying attention to road signs. These skills take training, practice, and time to develop. Children are not ready to cycle alone until they understand road safety rules, know how to signal, and know how to avoid risks. Make sure that your child’s bicycle is in good condition, with firm tires, working brakes, and a well-lubricated chain. Equip the bike with a light, a bell, and reflectors. Got a brain? Get a helmet! In the event of a crash, a bike helmet reduces the risk of head injury by up to 85%. In Canada, bike helmets that meet current safety standards are certified by the Canadian Standards Association. Bike helmets are the law in Alberta for children under the age of 18. Make it a family affair – ensure that everyone in your family wears a bike helmet for every ride. Take the bike helmet YES test to learn how to properly fit a bike helmet. The fit should be snug, and helmet should be level and stable. Remember that helmets should be replaced every 5 years, or in the event of a crash. Second-hand helmets are not recommended. Get Trained There are several organizations in Calgary that offer professional training in safe cycling, for both kids and adults! These include: Calgary Safety Council – Safety City Bicycle Program Canada Olympic Park Canadian Cycling Association – CAN BIKE Program Elbow Valley Cycle Club Bike trailers and bike-mounted carriers Bike trailers and carriers can introduce your young child to the joys of cycling, but there is risk involved. Children are not ready to travel in a bicycle trailer or carrier until they can sit upright, have good head control, and are over one year of age. Bike-mounted carriers have a high centre of gravity, making them less stable than bike trailers. Carriers can be harder to handle and are more likely than trailers to tip over. When using a bike-mounted carrier Always follow the instructions that came with your carrier. Ensure that the device is properly secured to your bike. Tighten the harness system. Ensure that your child's feet cannot catch in the wheels. Never leave your child unattended in the carrier. When using a bike trailer Always follow the instructions that came with your trailer. Ensure that the device is properly secured to your bike; a trailer with a rotating hitch will prevent tipping if the bike falls, and metal bars or a “roll cage” will prevent child injury if the trailer tips. Tighten the harness system. Make sure the removable sides are in place. Do not overload the trailer. Mount the trailer with a brightly-coloured flag at least 3 ft (91 cm) tall so that it can be seen more easily. Bike-mounted carriers and bike trailers can be challenging to use. Practice riding on quiet streets before heading out onto busy roads and pathways. Install a mirror on your bike handle bars so that you can check your child as you ride. And remember, bike helmets are the law in Alberta. Ensure that both you and your child wear the gear. Small wheeled recreation safety In the event of a crash, helmets can reduce the risk of head injury for kids involved in small wheeled activities, like in-line skating and riding a scooter. Sport-specific helmets are recommended for some small wheeled activities, like skateboarding. Skateboarding helmets cover the back of the head and are designed to protect against more than one crash. Multi-sport helmets meet safety standards for more than one activity. Be sure to read the label carefully to be certain which activities a multi-sport helmet has been approved for. If you have any questions, contact the manufacturer. Remember, no matter what wheeled activity your child is involved in, help them to take smart risks: Look First Inspect equipment and the play area at the start of each activity to make sure it is safe for use. Supervise actively. Get Trained Ensure that your child receives professional instruction in their activities of choice. Wear the Gear Children who do not wear protective equipment are at increased risk for injury. Get the right gear for each activity, make sure it fits, and ensure your child wears it properly every time he wheels. Want to know more? Take the b ike helmet YES test – How to properly fit a bike helmet Recommended web links City of Calgary - Cycling Safe Kids Canada Think First Canada Traffic Safety in Alberta - Safe Cycling Checklist for Kids
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