No matter the season, there is nothing more liberating for a child than to hop on their pedal bike and roam the neighbourhood. While this can be a time of fun and exercise for your youngster, it can also end in serious injury if proper precautions are not taken.

The national cycling coach for the Bermuda Bicycle Association, Greg Hopkins, says by following a few simple rules, you can ensure your child’s safety at all times.

Mr. Hopkins insists the number one priority is wearing a bicycle helmet and suggests introducing one to your child from a very young age.

“If you do that from when they first start out on a tricycle, it becomes the norm for them, as opposed to waiting for when they start popping wheelies and jumping over things.”

Bicycle helmets, he warns, should not be optional for children and when buying one, parents need to ensure that it meets the necessary safety standards.

“Check the inside of the helmet for an approved safety standards sticker. Some helmets also display a serial number,” Mr. Hopkins adds.

Today’s bicycle helmets for children are very lightweight and comfortable, and come in a variety of bright colours that are clearly visible to everyone driving and riding on the road. But Mr. Hopkins warns against buying bicycle helmets from supermarkets or hardware stores: “Always check for the safety standards sticker!”

Just as important, he says, is making sure the helmet has the correct fit as even the best helmet cannot protect your child’s head if it does not fit correctly, or is not fastened at all times.

“It must also never be too loose,” he insists.

After taking a serious hit, helmets lose their capacity to absorb shock.

“If your child ever has a significant fall and hits any surface hard with the helmet, immediately replace it,” he maintains, adding that bicycle helmets should be replaced every three years in Bermuda because of the exposure to the sun and other elements, which weaken the outer shell.

Mr. Hopkins cautions parents to buy the right sized bicycle for their child.

“Parents tend to buy for the future, something for their children to grow into and that’s fine economically, but from a safety perspective it’s a very bad move.

“If you buy a bike that’s too big for a child, then they will not have complete control and will be put at risk.”

Speaking from experience, Mr. Hopkins says a serious fall can traumatise a child and put them off riding a bicycle for a long time, as was the case with his oldest son: “Don’t push your children too soon and take the time to find a safe location to teach them to ride.”

Mr. Hopkins suggests somewhere like Shelley Bay Park where, if the child should fall, they tumble onto grass.

“It is important to remove the training wheels only when the child is ready and lower the seat completely so that they can put their feet flat on the ground,” he says.

He would not recommend allowing young children to ride their bicycles on Bermuda’s public roads: “It’s just not safe.”

As for older children and adults on bicycles, Mr. Hopkins points out that, by law, bicycles have to display a white light in front and a red reflector at the back.

“The red reflector is a little out of date in my opinion,” he says. “I suggest high intensity flashing lights instead.

These high intensity flashing lights are available at most bicycle shops from around $12 and are visible up to 400 feet.

“Reflective or lighter-coloured clothing is also important, as is the helmet.”

The Bermuda Road Safety Council also suggests children wear bicycle helmets when in-line skating or using scooters.