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Keep talking and set a good example to your child

The best way to help your child learn about road safety is to always set a good example yourself. When you’re cycling with your child you should:

• wear a cycle helmet yourself
  
• obey traffic signs, be considerate of other road users and not let yourself be distracted by using a mobile phone or listening to music
  
• encourage them to notice and discuss what they see around them on the road
• make sure they know that when they’re on the road they need to concentrate and watch out for other road users all the time
  
• encourage them to take their own decisions - they shouldn’t blindly follow what others are doing without making their own checks first
  
• practice judging speed and distance with them
• help them work out the safest routes for the journeys they make
  

Cycle training for your child

You can help your child enjoy cycling safely by making sure they do some training. Training can start as soon as they can ride a bike, which is usually around seven to nine years old. There are different levels of training for your child as they get older.

Ask if training is available at your child’s school or follow the link below for information about Bikeability, the nationally agreed programme for cycle training. You can also find out more about training in your area from your local Road Safety Officer.

• Cycle training (travel and transport section)

• Find your local Road Safety Officer at Road Safety GB Opens new window

Wearing the right clothing

Other road users must be able to see cyclists. There are items of clothing and equipment your child can use to help them keep safe:

• get your child to wear fluorescent or light coloured clothing if they are riding during the day or in poor light
  
• after dark, children should wear reflective clothing, as fluorescent or light coloured clothing will not be visible
  

Protective helmets

On average half of the road injuries received by cyclists are to the face and the head. Make sure your child always wears a correctly fitted helmet to protect against head injuries should they fall. It should be worn correctly, which means it:

• is positioned squarely on their head, sitting just above the eyebrows and not tilted back or tipped forwards
  
• must be a snug fit
  
• should not stop them seeing clearly or cover their ears
  
• has its straps securely fastened and not twisted, with only enough room for two fingers between their chin and the strap
  

Getting your child's bike ready

Make sure your child's bike is the right size and well maintained:

• it's an offence to ride at night without a front white light, back red light and back red reflector
  
• remind your child that if they have a dynamo on their bike the lights will go out when they stop
  
• mark the bicycle frame with your postcode
  
• remind your child to always use a cycle lock, and to use a cycle rack to park their bike

For advice on doing a bike safety check, see 'Getting your bike ready to ride'.

• Getting your bike ready to ride (travel and transport section)

The rules of the road

When your child is out and about, you should encourage them to follow the basic rules of the road:

• look behind before they turn, overtake or stop
  
• use arm signals before they turn
  
• obey traffic lights and road signs
  
• do not ride on the pavement unless there is a sign saying they can
  
• not cycle next to another person on a narrow road
  
• watch out for car doors opening suddenly when passing parked cars
  

• Highway Code - Tales of the Road Opens new window

Cycling advice for teenagers

The advice above applies just as much, or even more to teenagers, as they are more likely to be cycling on main roads. They are also the age group most unlikely to wear helmets and more likely to be using mobile phones or listening to music through headphones. Remind them to always pay attention and not get distracted, and to not show off to those around them.

Getting trained and looking after their bike is vital if they are to be safer on the road.

Getting to school safely

Your local council can help you find the safest routes for your child to walk or cycle to their school. Click on the link below to find your local council and get advice on safe and environmentally friendly school travel in your area.

• Search for safe routes to school near you

• Cyclists (travel and transport section)

More useful links

• Information about cycling routes and events - Sustrans Opens new window

• Cycle Routes UK Opens new window

• Cycle Training UK Opens new window