Safety & the environment Learning Hub

Cycling safety tips for children and families

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Cycling is a great way to get outdoors and stay active. Learn how you can keep your children and yourself safe while cycling.

Key points 

  • Children and adults alike should always wear a helmet when cycling. 
  • Teach children the importance of riding in designated areas for cycling, such as bike lanes, and to follow the rules of the road. 
  • Remain visible when riding, including using bike lights, bells, and wearing bright colours. Avoid cycling at dawn or dusk when visibility is low.

Riding a bike isn’t just fun—it’s also good for your child’s health! Cycling helps children stay active, build strong muscles, and develop good exercise habits that can last a lifetime. Children who ride bikes or walk to school are often more alert in class and in better physical shape. 

Use these safety tips to ensure cycling stays fun and safe for your kids. 

Fitting a helmet

Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Learn more about how helmets prevent injury, how to get your child to wear one, and how to fit a bicycle helmet to your child on AboutKidsHealth' Injury prevention learning hub.  

Teach your kids to follow the 2-v-1 rule to make sure their helmet fits them each time they put it on. 

  • Two fingers above your eyebrow to the bottom of the helmet
  • Four fingers to form a V shape where the straps meet below the ears
  • One finger under the strap beneath your chin

For more information, watch Cycling safety tips.

Other safety equipment has fewer clear benefits, and some equipment (such as wrist guards) can prevent a child from comfortably controlling their bicycle. 

Bicycle size and condition

Each time you or your child rides a bike, check to make sure the bicycle is properly sized and in good working condition. This includes: 

  • Checking the ABCs 
    • Air in the tires 
    • Brakes in working order
    • Chain is working and oiled
  • Making sure your child is able to place their feet on the ground, reach the handlebars, easily use the brakes and control the bike while riding. If any of these aren’t true, try a smaller sized bicycle.  
  • Adding reflectors, lights, and bicycle bells to increase visibility.  

Supervision

Assess your child’s physical and cognitive (mental) abilities to help make decisions on where they can ride and if they can ride on their own. Practice safe cycling along routes in areas such as nearby schools or playgrounds so children know where to go and how to get there safely. These routes should allow your child to practice stopping at stop signs, crossing at designated crosswalks, looking “left, right and left again” before crossing the street, and using hand signals when turning. 

Ensure children remain attentive to traffic even when riding in a group. Older children who are ready to ride on roads should consider cycling in groups, as it increases visibility and safety. However, make sure they:

  • Ride single file on busy streets.
  • Follow all road rules 
  • Stay predictable in their movements and actions.

Where should you ride?

Choose safe places for your child to ride, such as:

  • Bike lanes or designated cycling areas, if available.
  • Parks, bike trails, or quiet streets.
  • Sidewalks, where permitted, for younger children.

Avoid areas with heavy traffic, narrow shoulders, or roads with high speed limits. Teach children to watch for hazards while riding such as potholes, uneven ground, parked cars, pedestrians and other cyclists. 

Lead by example 

Children value having positive role models. If you ride a bike: 

  • Always wear a helmet. 
  • Follow the same safety rules you teach your children. 
  • Show respect for other road users. 
Last updated: April 15th 2025