Safety is a number one priority when your child is riding their motorcycle. Here, we have created a list of what we believe are the top 11 things to teach your child about riding safely.
- Always wear a helmet. Even if it is just a short ride or the bike has learning wheels, it’s best to always wear a helmet anyway. It’s a good habit to get your child in to from an early age. If necessary, think about any other safety gear your child should wear too, such as elbow and knee pads or a protective jacket. This is especially important if riding in busy areas or if the bike can reach higher speeds.
- If the motorcycle is more of a toy rather than a real bike, it’s best to use it in the yard or on the sidewalk. Toy motorcycles shouldn’t be ridden on the road, especially on busy streets.
- Other road users. Similar to the point above, teach your child to look out for other road users. Even if they are playing in the yard they will need to watch out for people walking, or perhaps their friends or siblings on other ride-on toys. Again, this is a great habit to get your child used to for when they start using the road properly, either cycling or driving.
- Teach your child how to operate the brakes on their motorcycle before letting them ride it. In the excitement of riding for the first time, your child might forget, so really make sure they are paying attention to riding off at a high speed.
- As above, your child should also learn how to steer and control the bike before they are let loose! Make sure they know how to perform all the crucial controls – ask them to show you what everything does before actually switching the bike on and letting them ride it.
- Safety belt. If your child’s motorcycle comes with a safety belt, make sure they wear it every time they ride, even if it is just for a short journey. If your child is very young and their bike doesn’t feature a belt, it may be worth purchasing one which can be fitted on to keep them riding safely.
- Riding at night. If your child will be riding at night make sure they will be visible. This means having white lights at the front of the bike and red ones to the rear. Your child should also be suitably dressed in reflective clothing such as a vest or a sash, so they can be seen in the dark.
- As above, your child should also be visible during the day. They should wear a fluorescent vest or similar, to ensure they can be seen by others. Alternatively, make sure they are wearing white or bright colors so they at least stand out. This is especially important in poor weather conditions such as fog and rain.
- It’s important to regularly check the motorcycle for signs of damage. It should ideally be inspected before each use to make sure that everything is working as it should be, and there are no loose screws or parts. Get your child involved so they know what they should be looking for.
- If you are buying a first motorcycle for an older teenager who will use it on the road, make sure you meet all legal requirements. The child must have an appropriate license, and the bike has to meet current safety standards, as well as being road-legal. Ensure they have appropriate insurance before riding on the road, too.
11. Our last point is about keeping kids safe if they are riding as a passenger on an adult’s motorcycle. Ensure they know how to sit safely, and can properly reach the footrests. Tell them how to hold on, and give them a way to communicate with you if they want to come off for any reason. It’s very important to have appropriate safety clothing and a kitemarked helmet in this case, too.