Crank Up The Fun in Denver: Bike Safety For Preschoolers

May is National Bike Month, and June 25 is National Bike to Work Day, making now the ideal time to highlight bike safety for preschoolers. With summertime right around the corner, many families are considering getting their preschoolers moving, not only to burn off energy but also to keep their minds learning and curiosity building. Biking can help preschool children develop their physical skills, like balance and coordination, and boost their endurance, leg muscles, and bone strength. Plus, biking can be a great opportunity for everyone in the family–or other kids your child’s age–to connect and socialize. 

To make biking with your preschooler a smooth ride (or at least one without quite so many bumps), Denver Preschool Program (DPP) put together a few tips about bike safety for preschoolers as well as Denver-area resources for your soon-to-be bicyclist. 

5 Bike Safety Tips for Preschoolers

There’s no magic formula when it comes to teaching your preschooler to ride a bike. However, these five bike safety tips will jumpstart your journey. 

• Make sure your preschool is interested in learning how to ride a bike. Like with most things, if your child is not excited about it, you’ll likely have a much harder time teaching them. Most children are interested in learning how to ride a bike between the ages of 2 and 5. 
• The first piece of gear you should purchase is a bike helmet. Make sure it fits your child’s head. Helmets reduce the risk of head injuries while riding a bike by roughly 85%, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Wearing a helmet is the most effective way to prevent head injuries from a bike crash, according to SAFE Kids Worldwide. Check out this video about how to properly fit your child’s bike helmet. And here’s an article about how to choose a bike helmet for your child.  
• Find a bike that fits your child and their abilities. Some children are best introduced to biking by riding along in a rear-mounted bike seat or child’s bike trailer first. Other children are better at trying out biking themselves either with a balance bike or a bike with training wheels. Once they get the hang of balancing and pedaling, respectively, then they can transition to a two-wheel bike sans training wheels. According to this article from REI about the types of bikes, children should be able to easily get on the bike and touch the ground. 
• Practice with patience. Some preschoolers get into the groove of bike riding quickly whereas others may need more time and patience. Riding together as a family can be a great way to build their confidence and help teach them the rules of the road. 
• Help them remember to always be visible and vigilant. Even though people driving vehicles should be aware and alert for bicycle riders, children and adults alike need to be proactive. This can include using bike lights, reflectors, and hand signals. Use this simple guide on bike hand signals to teach your children. 

Looking for more information about bike safety tips for your preschooler? Check out these 10 Tips for Teaching Toddlers to Ride a Bike and these Tips for Teaching Kids How to Ride a Bike. 

Denver Bike-Friendly Events and Maps

Once you and your preschooler are ready to hit the road, consider these Denver-area events and maps: 

• Family-Friendly Bike Rides in Denver 
• Denver Regional Bike Map 
• Summer Bike Camps 
• Pre-K-First Grade Bike Camps 
• Denver for National Bike to Work Day

For more resources, tips, and summer events to check out with your preschooler, sign up for our e-newsletter, the Family Dispatch. We’ve got the latest news, advice from early childhood experts, and much more.