Baby Bike Safety
Bike rides can be good for health and a nice way for parents to unwind from a stressful day, but there is concern over the safety of taking babies on bicycle rides. The risk of crashes, falls and even helmets may be reasons to avoid bringing a baby on a bike ride. However, when practiced with caution, bicycle rides can be fun for older babies and toddlers.
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Baby Bicycle Seats
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Bike seats are available that attach to the back of a bicycle, directly behind the adult seat or facing forward on the handlebars. These seats resemble infant car seats and most are equipped with a five-point harness. Baby bicycle seats are designed for children 18 months to four years of age. Taking an infant under one year old in a bike seat is unsafe, and even illegal in some states.
Baby Bike Trailers
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Trailers that attach to the back of bicycles are available. These are much more stable and less bumpy than an infant bike seat. Bike trailers are less likely to tip, and can carry heavier children or more than one child at a time. Children in bike trailers can be supplied with toys, snacks and books for more entertainment. These trailers also provide protection against sun and rain. The trailer should come equipped with a five-point harness for safety and a rear view mirror for the bicycle handlebars. Infants under one year can be shaken too much in a child bike trailer, so use is not recommended for young babies.
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Infant Bicycle Helmets
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Bicycle helmets are made for young children, but some researchers believe that the foam used is too hard for toddlers' heads and increase the risk of brain injury. Helmets are not designed for babies under one year, and parents should never take a child on a bicycle without a helmet. In some states it is illegal to take an infant on a bike, even with a helmet on.
Warnings
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Parents must think of traffic conditions if biking with babies. Some traffic calls for the use of a toddler bicycle seat and some conditions are safer for use with a bicycle trailer. Putting an infant in a car seat and then into a bike trailer is not safe and can shake the baby around too much. Consider also the risk of falls when choosing to bike with a baby. Parents must always research the laws in the area on bicycling with young children.
Bicycle Safety Tips
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Parents should avoid biking with children under one year to avoid injuries. For babies older than one year, a good helmet should always be used. Parents can check with the family doctor to find the safest helmet for the toddler. Parents can avoid biking in areas with heavy traffic or lots of bumps to prevent falls and injuries.
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References
- Photo Credit baby image by Dron from Fotolia.com
