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Bike Safety for Youth

Ready to head out on your bike? Before you do, take a look at the following safety rules and tips. Even experienced riders will find useful information to help ensure safe and enjoyable cycling throughout Orange County.

Safety rules and tips

Wear a helmet. Every time you ride.
In California, kids under 18 must wear a helmet. That’s because your brain is fragile and can be damaged easily. Learn about helmets and how to put them on properly.
Take care of your bike.
And it will help take care of you. Check your brakes, tires and chains and make sure your bike will respond properly so you can avoid danger.
Help others see you.
That means bright clothing on you, rear reflectors and head lamps on your bike. California law specifies the type of lights and reflectors required.
Avoid riding at dusk or at night.
Daytime riding is much safer. It’s harder for cars to see you at night and harder for you to see, too.
No headphones. No cell phones.
Be alert and focus on riding, not on your favorite tune or your BFF’s latest news. You’ll be able to see and hear warnings that will increase your safety.
Don't carry passengers on your bike.
Unless you have a tandem bike, one bike seat means one rider.
Be street safe.
If you’re allowed to ride in the street, treat cars and trucks with respect. Remember that they may have difficulty seeing you. Help them and help yourself by always riding in the same direction as the cars are going. Walk your bike across intersections. And be careful passing parked cars to avoid being struck by a car door.
Be courteous on the sidewalk.
Before you ride on the sidewalk, find out if it’s OK in your town. Be careful of the walkers. Don’t ride too fast or too close. Watch for cars coming in and out of driveways.
Obey traffic rules.
When you’re on your bike, you’re on a vehicle. Just like a car, you need to stop at stop signs and traffic lights.
Learn hand signals.
Smart cyclists use hand signals to let others know where they’re going. Do you know this special form of communication? Find out here!
Be a 'roll' model.
Learn these bike safety rules and help keep your friends and family safe.

Wear a Helmet

Can you guess which sport sends most kids between ages 5 and 14 to the emergency room? If you guessed biking, you would be right. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more children in that age group wind up in the hospital for bicycle-related injuries than with any other sport, many of them with head injuries. Don’t be one of them!

It’s the Law

Wear a helmet every time you ride. That’s the law in California if you’re under 18. Your helmet is your most important piece of safety equipment. Even if you’re an awesome bike rider, accidents can happen. Be prepared and be safe.

Get a Good Fit

Helmets are so important that the U.S. government has created safety standards for them. Use a helmet that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the SNELL Standards for Protective Headgear.

Make sure your helmet fits well and never wear a hat underneath. Keep the helmet level and covering your forehead and keep those chin straps fastened. This is important stuff, so ask your parents or someone from the bike shop for help.

Tips for Fitting Your Helmet

  1. Get the correct size. Your helmet size is based on the size of your head, not your age. Get someone to help you measure your head just above your eyebrows. Your helmet should cover your forehead. Don’t push it back – move it down so it’s no more than an inch above your eyebrows.

  2. Adjust the pads. Adjust the foam pads inside the helmet for a snug fit.

  3. Adjust the straps. Your ear straps should form a “V” just below each ear.

  4. Test the fit. Rock your helmet back and forth. The straps should only move one inch.

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