Ashville’s Police Department offers a Bike Rodeo every year during Fun-in-the-Sun. During that event helmets are given out.

If you could not attend the Bike Rodeo here are some safety tips….

General Tips on Bicycle Safety: 

• Small children should not ride bikes or trikes in the street, or in driveways where they can roll into the street or a car may unexpectedly turn in. Bike and trike-riding for young children should be supervised and in a fenced enclosure or playground free of sharp-cornered objects that the child can collide with or fall on, and with no steep drop-offs or ramps to fall down.

• Children should always wear a crash helmet when riding bikes. Small toddlers may not have the neck strength for a heavy helmet; call your pediatrician for recommendations.

Bike Safety Checklist:

• Before allowing your child to ride a bike, you should perform a safety check on all of the equipment.

• Make sure the bike is the proper size. A bike that is too big or too small will be difficult to control. When the child is standing on the ground there should be a one to three inch gap between the top bar and the child's crotch. Mountain bikes should have extra clearance.

• Check to see if the bike is the proper height. When the child sits on the seat with their foot on the pedal, their leg should be slightly bent to avoid knee strain.

• Install reflectors on the front and rear of the bike. The rear reflector should be at least three inches across. Make sure the reflector is pointed straight back to reflect the headlights of cars coming up from behind. A red lamp and reflector on the rear, each exhibiting a light visible for a distance of 600 feet.

• Check the bike's chain to make sure it is clean and lubricated. If it is not, take it to the local bike shop for a check up.

• Check the brakes for even pressure.

• Make sure the tires are properly inflated.

Does My Child Really Need A Helmet? YES!

A child of any age needs protection when riding. A small toddler's neck may not support the weight of the helmet, check with your doctor. Laws now require helmets in many areas because research has shown that 88% of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a bicycle helmet. More than 800 bicycle riders are killed in the U.S. every year, almost all in collisions with cars, and 75% of them die of head injuries.