Parents urged to THINK! Safety when buying a bike
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 New research from the THINK! campaign shows that parents could be putting their children at risk by neglecting to buy vital safety equipment when purchasing a bike.

The survey found that a quarter of all parents who have bought their child a bike in the past have never bought them a cycle helmet - despite the fact that over half of injuries received by cyclists are to the head and the face and can be reduced by wearing a helmet.

Over half of the parents questioned had never bought their children cycle lights - a legal requirement for riding in the dark - and over a quarter had never bought them reflectors. Even more worryingly as the dark months draw in, as many as 85 per cent of parents surveyed had never bought their children reflective or fluorescent clothing or accessories, which would enable them to be seen clearly on the roads.

In 2001, almost 5,500 child cyclists were killed or injured on UK roads. Cycle safety equipment such as helmets, lights, reflectors and brightly coloured clothes are vital to protect your child when out and about.

The THINK! campaign has issued the following advice for keeping your child safe on their Christmas bike:

• Make sure their bike is the right size - a bike that is too big or too small can affect your child's balance. Buy the bike from a reputable dealer and ask their advice on the most appropriate type and size;

• Check whether cycle training courses are available at your child's school, or in your local area, by contacting the Road Safety Officer in your local council. Where possible book your child in;

• Make sure that your child has a cycle helmet and wears it every time they ride their bike;

• Keep your child's bike well maintained - check that the front and back lights work, the back reflector is clean and the brakes and tyres are working well

• Remember that it is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back - don't forget to buy your child lights

• Buy a good cycle lock (the best ones are graded), and have the bike frame marked with your postcode;

• Encourage your child to wear fluorescent clothing in daylight and at dusk and reflective clothing at night so that other road users can see them clearly;

• Show your child where the special cycle routes, paths and lanes in your area are. Many local authorities and some schools have local cycle route maps available;

• Explain to your child that it is dangerous to wear a personal stereo or use a mobile phone whilst cycling, and why they must take care when cycling with their friends;

• For safety and security, encourage your child to use a cycle rack to park their bike if one is available.

Visit www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety/lesson/index.htm and www.hedgehogs.gov.uk or call 0870 1226236 and quote reference T/INF/083 for a free leaflet.
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