Preparing your child for Bicycle and Scooter Road Safety Education
To participate successfully in this program your child needs a safe bike (or scooter), and an approved helmet which fits them.
Follow our safety tips to make sure your child is set up for success!
- A safe bicycle
See our resource on buying the right size bike for your child.
Ensure your bicycle or scooter is the appropriate size and the bicycle is adjusted to fit. You should be able to place both feet on the ground when sitting on the seat and reach the handlebars comfortably, without stretching.
Now we have the right bicycle, let’s make sure that it is well maintained and good to go when your child wants to go for a ride.
The simplest way to check that a bike is safe is to remember the ABC (air, brakes, chain). See our video explaining how to check that your bike is ready to ride:
What to do if your bike fails the ABC test? It is particularly important that the brakes and chain operate as expected. If you are not able to ensure that your child’s bike is working safely and efficiently, make an appointment with your local bike shop to have the bike serviced.
Ensure the bicycle is fitted with reflectors and a working bell. Are the reflectors visible from the front and back? If your child will be riding in late afternoon or early morning, buy lights. A set of USB-rechargeable front and rear lights can cost less than $50.
- A safe person: the right helmet and suitable shoes.
Make your child’s helmet is legal (it should have an Australian Standards sticker on the inside of the helmet) and fits their head (most helmets sold have a micro-adjust dial).
What to wear (closed-in shoes), and other things to consider. Be sun smart!
After your child’s Road Safety Session
- Study safe routes between home or a drop off point and school
- Discuss potential safety situations with your child, alert them to potential dangers and encourage them to ride safely.
- Build your child’s confidence and reinforce learning by riding with your child in a safe environment such as an off-road path and practicing with them the skills they have learned.
For students
On the day
- Bring your bicycle, scooter and wear your safety gear.
- Always ride with two hands on your handlebars.
- Listen to the teachers and the instructor.
- Obey all traffic rules and signs.
- Stay alert at all times and watch for hazards and the unexpected.
- Remove distractions so you can see and hear clearly – put away your mobile phone, headphones or music.
- Look before you act – always look right and left before you proceed or make a turn.
After your Road Safety Session
- Build confidence and reinforce learning by asking parents, carers or guardians to ride with you and regularly check skills.
- Continue to use proper hand signals.
- Stay on the correct side of the pathway or roadway.
- Obey all signs, traffic lights and crossing signals.
- If you are riding to school, ensure you have a secure backpack, or a bag carrier fitted to your bike.
- Continue to be sun smart and visible to all other road and pathway users.
- Don’t carry passengers