Road Safety

Sources of Danger

Riding in the Opposite Direction of Traffic
This is the most common cause of accidents involving vehicles and bicycles. Children are often under the impression that they are better protected if they ride facing traffic because they have a better view of oncoming vehicles. Motorists, however, do not expect cyclists to be approaching from this direction, which increases the likelihood of error.

What you can do:

• Remind children that you can cycle in only one direction: in the direction of traffic.

Emphasize why it is important to travel in the right direction:

• Cyclists who travel in the wrong direction are struck by vehicles more often.
• Under the law, cyclists must travel in the direction of traffic.

Exiting a Driveway without Checking for Traffic
It's a fact: half of young children who are victims of a bicycle accident ride out of a driveway without checking for traffic. They are struck by motorists who don't see them. Unfortunately, these accidents occur in residential neighbourhoods near home, where children are thought to be safe.

What you can do:

• Talk to children and alert them to this problem.

Do the following exercise with them:

• Go with them into the driveway of your home.
• Walk up to the sidewalk and stop.
• Look to the left, to the right and to the left again to check for oncoming vehicles.
• Proceed when the way is clear.

You can also play the following game:

• Draw a vehicle on a large sheet of cardboard.
• Stand in the street near the driveway.
• Explain that when you hold up the cardboard showing the vehicle, it represents on-coming traffic.
• Have children practise looking to the left, to the right and to the left again.
• If they leave the driveway when you're holding up the cardboard, they lose a point.

Sudden Left Turns
This is another cause of serious accidents involving children. They are riding and suddenly, without checking beforehand, turn left and come face to face with a vehicle. The problem? They did not take the time to check for traffic before making a turn.

What you can do:

• Remind children of the importance of looking over their left shoulder to check for traffic when making a turn.
• Have them practise this exercise in a safe location by asking them to turn their head quickly, without losing balance.

This exercise is difficult for young children to master, hence the importance of reminding them not to change directions suddenly.

Failure to Obey Stop Signs
A serious mistake that is common to cyclists of all ages is failing to obey mandatory stops. As an adult, how can you remind children to obey stop signs if you do not obey them yourself?

Young cyclists are unable to judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. That is why cyclists are often struck if they don't come to a complete stop.

What you can do:

• Set an example!
• Show them how to come to a stop. Stand astride your bike, look to the left, to the right and to the left again, then proceed.

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