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Should You Take Your Baby Along On Your Bicycle??
Hollywood, FL
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Debra Holtzman, J.D., M.A.
"If you love biking, you may be particularly eager to have your young child enjoy it with you. Don't be in too big a hurry to share the experience with your child. In fact, NEVER carry a child under the age of 1 on your bicycle, either in a bicycle seat, a child trailer or any other carrier," warns Debra Holtzman, an internationally recognized safety and health expert and the author of the new book, "The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005)"
A baby does not have sufficient neck strength to support the weight of a helmet or to control head movement during a sudden stop. A one year old who can sit well when unsupported will have neck strong enough to support a lightweight helmet; at that point he can be carried in a child trailer or a rear-mounted seat.
Debra Holtzman's offers a checklist of suggestions to help keep young children safe:
-SELECT THE RIGHT HELMET. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. When worn correctly, a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. A lightweight toddler helmet should always be worn by a young passenger to prevent or minimize head injury. It is, of necessity, lightweight, because a toddler's neck is not strong enough for a regular helmet. The correct toddler's helmet will come down low around the back of the head for more coverage.
All bicycle helmets sold today must meet the CPSC standard. Look for a sticker inside the helmet.
-CHOOSE ASTM-APPROVED SEATING.
Whether you purchase a trailer or a bike-mounted child seat, check to be sure it has a sticker saying it meets ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) safety standards. Although it is not a federally required standard, it lets you know the item meets safety criteria. Be sure the trailer or carrier has a rear reflector. Also look at the weight rating. Usually a bike-mounted seat can safely hold only 40 pounds or less. On the other hand, some trailers are designed to carry more than one child or loads up to 100 pounds.
Debra Holtzman recommends that children ride in child trailers pulled by the bike. It offers a more stable and secure environment for your toddler. The extra space can also be valuable for bringing toys, drinks, snacks, extra clothing and other supplies. Because trailers are low to the ground, they are difficult for motorists to see so a 6 foot orange or red flag for greater visibility is a must. Always try to ride with another adult behind the trailer.
If you decide to purchase a carrier for the bike, Holtzman recommends that you have the seat installed at a bike store. Make sure your rear-mounted child seats has these features: a high back, a sturdy shoulder harness and lap belt that will fit snugly, and spoke guards that will prevent feet and hands from being caught in the wheels. A rear-mounted seat brings your child closer to you when cycling, but when you ride this way your bicycle's center of gravity shifts, making the bike less stable. It's important to practice riding without your child. Get something like a bag of potatoes that approximates your child's weight and strap it in. Get used to the change in the way you balance as you ride. Only a skilled rider should carry a child on a bike.
Regardless of whether you use a bicycle mounted seat or pull a trailer, it is important to remember that you have extra weight on the bike, and it will take longer to stop and start. Practice turns first without the child in tow. Turns have to be slower and wider.
-WHAT TO WEAR
Wear bright, fluorescent clothing that makes you more visible in daylight and attach reflective materials on the bike and trailer. Be sure you and your child wear close- toe shoes and do not wear clothes that can get caught in rotating parts.
-WHERE AND HOW TO RIDE
Avoid riding at dawn, dusk or night, Ride only in safe areas like parks, on smooth trails and in quiet neighborhoods where there is little risk of encountering moving vehicles. Be extra careful near driveways and intersections. Avoid busy thoroughfares and bad weather ,and ride with maximum caution and at a reduce speed. Obey all traffic laws.
Lastly, If the child screams a lot or is too fidgety, give up cycling with him for a while . Try again when he is older.
Debra Holtzman is an internationally recognized safety and health expert and award winning author. Debra has been recently featured on NBC's Today Show, CNBC and MSNBC. She is also a safety expert on the Discovery Health Channel. Her latest book, The Safe Baby: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005)is in bookstores everywhere.
Interviews may be arranged via: E-mail: safebook@aol.com
Telephone: 954-963-7702
http://thesafetyexpert.com
A baby does not have sufficient neck strength to support the weight of a helmet or to control head movement during a sudden stop. A one year old who can sit well when unsupported will have neck strong enough to support a lightweight helmet; at that point he can be carried in a child trailer or a rear-mounted seat.
Debra Holtzman's offers a checklist of suggestions to help keep young children safe:
-SELECT THE RIGHT HELMET. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. When worn correctly, a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. A lightweight toddler helmet should always be worn by a young passenger to prevent or minimize head injury. It is, of necessity, lightweight, because a toddler's neck is not strong enough for a regular helmet. The correct toddler's helmet will come down low around the back of the head for more coverage.
All bicycle helmets sold today must meet the CPSC standard. Look for a sticker inside the helmet.
-CHOOSE ASTM-APPROVED SEATING.
Whether you purchase a trailer or a bike-mounted child seat, check to be sure it has a sticker saying it meets ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) safety standards. Although it is not a federally required standard, it lets you know the item meets safety criteria. Be sure the trailer or carrier has a rear reflector. Also look at the weight rating. Usually a bike-mounted seat can safely hold only 40 pounds or less. On the other hand, some trailers are designed to carry more than one child or loads up to 100 pounds.
Debra Holtzman recommends that children ride in child trailers pulled by the bike. It offers a more stable and secure environment for your toddler. The extra space can also be valuable for bringing toys, drinks, snacks, extra clothing and other supplies. Because trailers are low to the ground, they are difficult for motorists to see so a 6 foot orange or red flag for greater visibility is a must. Always try to ride with another adult behind the trailer.
If you decide to purchase a carrier for the bike, Holtzman recommends that you have the seat installed at a bike store. Make sure your rear-mounted child seats has these features: a high back, a sturdy shoulder harness and lap belt that will fit snugly, and spoke guards that will prevent feet and hands from being caught in the wheels. A rear-mounted seat brings your child closer to you when cycling, but when you ride this way your bicycle's center of gravity shifts, making the bike less stable. It's important to practice riding without your child. Get something like a bag of potatoes that approximates your child's weight and strap it in. Get used to the change in the way you balance as you ride. Only a skilled rider should carry a child on a bike.
Regardless of whether you use a bicycle mounted seat or pull a trailer, it is important to remember that you have extra weight on the bike, and it will take longer to stop and start. Practice turns first without the child in tow. Turns have to be slower and wider.
-WHAT TO WEAR
Wear bright, fluorescent clothing that makes you more visible in daylight and attach reflective materials on the bike and trailer. Be sure you and your child wear close- toe shoes and do not wear clothes that can get caught in rotating parts.
-WHERE AND HOW TO RIDE
Avoid riding at dawn, dusk or night, Ride only in safe areas like parks, on smooth trails and in quiet neighborhoods where there is little risk of encountering moving vehicles. Be extra careful near driveways and intersections. Avoid busy thoroughfares and bad weather ,and ride with maximum caution and at a reduce speed. Obey all traffic laws.
Lastly, If the child screams a lot or is too fidgety, give up cycling with him for a while . Try again when he is older.
Debra Holtzman is an internationally recognized safety and health expert and award winning author. Debra has been recently featured on NBC's Today Show, CNBC and MSNBC. She is also a safety expert on the Discovery Health Channel. Her latest book, The Safe Baby: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2005)is in bookstores everywhere.
Interviews may be arranged via: E-mail: safebook@aol.com
Telephone: 954-963-7702
http://thesafetyexpert.com
