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Many children cycle to school on their own (for the first time), but how do they do so safely? Cyclis lists some tips for you as a parent.

Good preparation is half the battle

  • Try to assess for yourself whether your child is ready to bike to school alone. If he still needs to concentrate too much on the cycling itself, it’s best to ride along for a while. Ask yourself: Can your child look behind him and extend his arm without losing his balance? Is he/she aware of the dangers? Studies show that children as young as 10 years old are capable of biking on their own. But the most important factor is the experience gained. Much also depends on the route: Is there much or little traffic? Do the vehicles generally drive slowly? Is the bike lane well separated from traffic?
  • If your child is ready, it is best to travel the route together (several times) in advance. Discuss danger points and situations and show how to handle them safely. Repeat these things regularly and always set a good example yourself.

Tips for safe cycling

  • Make sure your child leaves for school on time. Thus, he should not rush and take unnecessary risks by not paying attention to traffic. It is better to leave for school as early as possible because there may be less traffic near the school.
  • Teach your child to communicate with other road users: holding out the arm to indicate your direction, always checking to see if the driver has seen you by making eye contact,…
  • Warn your child of opening doors when biking past stationary cars and of cars pulling out of their driveway or parking garage.
  • Make your child alert for the “blind spot. Wait behind a truck or bus when it is making a maneuver. The driver does not see you when you are standing next to his vehicle.
  • It is safer to bike to school with a group of friends. Together, they stand out better and can alert each other to potential dangers. Bicyclists may ride with a maximum of two side by side.

Make sure the bike (and accessories) are in working order

  • Check regularly that your child’s bike meets all safety requirements. Make sure the brakes are working properly and the tires are in good condition.
  • The days get shorter starting in September. Bike lights should definitely work as soon as it gets dark. We also recommend wearing a fluorescent jacket with reflective strips.
  • Make sure your child wears a helmet at all times. It increases safety by reducing the risk of a serious head injury in an accident by more than 40% and a brain injury by more than 50%
  • Make sure that ribbons from the book bag, a scarf or loose laces cannot twist in the wheel.
  • The book bag should always be securely fastened on the rack or carried on the back. The school bag must not be carried on the handlebars for the sake of balance.