PARENTS

**//Parents as First//** //**Teachers-How to encourage [|safe and responsible cycling] on the roads.**//
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 * Make sure you and your child always wear a cycle helmet, and are highly visisble in what you wear.
 * Children under the age of 10 should only cycle on the road if competent in skills and knowledge of rules of the road.
 * Make sure that your child's bike is the right size and that the front and back lights work, the back reflector is clean and the brakes and tyres are working.
 * In some places cycle paths and lanes are provided –make sure your child is aware of where they are.
 * Add reflective strips to the cross bar for extra safety.

**//Stay close. Stay Alert!//**

 * For young children to be able to play safely, an adult needs to supervise them closely and actively.
 * Make sure children have a safe place to play, such as a backyard, fenced park or recreational area. They should always be supervised by an adult.
 * **Roads, carparks, footpaths and driveways are never safe places to play.**


 * When buying a helmet:**

A young child’s skull is soft and easily injured. So whenever children are riding wheeled toys or bicycles, it is important that they are wearing a correctly fitted NZ/Australian Standards Approved helmet. This is an adult’s responsibility.
 * Take the child to the shop with you, to make sure the helmet fits properly.
 * It should sit two child finger widths above the child’s eyebrows, and be neither too tight nor too loose.
 * It should not be too heavy for the child’s head and neck to carry.

Young children who wear helmets from the moment they start riding their first wheeled toy will be safer from head injury, and are more likely to continue the practice throughout their lives. Use these road safety messages:
 * “No helmet, no bike.”
 * “When everyone has their helmet and shoes on, we can ride our bikes.”
 * “If anyone isn’t wearing their helmet or shoes properly, we’ll put the bikes away.”


 * When supervising children, use these opportunities to talk to them about:**
 * How helmets and enclosed shoes keep us safe.
 * Why we must ride and play away from traffic - for instance, in the backyard or at the bike track.
 * Why footpaths and driveways are never safe places to play.
 * Why young children can never ride their bikes, scooters or skates without an adult closely supervising them.
 * Scooters and motorised toys also need to be supervised closely by an adult. They are harder to control and can put children into danger quickly.[[image:sharetheroad/Checklist-01-june.gif align="right"]]