Why Is Bike Safety So Important at Haumoana School?

Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. Every year many children go to the emergency department because of bike injuries, and some have injuries that require a few days in the hospital usually from head injuries.
A head injury can mean brain injury. That's why it's so important to wear a bike helmet. Wearing one doesn't mean you can be reckless, but a helmet will provide some protection for your face, head, and brain in case you fall down.

A Helmet

Bike helmets are so important that the NZ government has created safety standards for them. Your helmet should have a sticker that says it meets recognised standards.  Wear a bike helmet EVERY TIME YOU RIDE, even if you are going for a short ride.

Your bike helmet should fit you properly. You don't want it too small or too big. Never wear a hat under your bike helmet.

Once you have the right helmet, you need to wear it the right way so it will protect you. It should be worn level and cover your forehead. Don't tip it back so your forehead is showing. The straps should always be fastened. Make sure the straps are adjusted so they're snug enough that you can't pull or twist the helmet around on your head.
Here is Harry wearing his bike helmet.

Road Rules

If you're allowed to ride on the street, follow these road rules:

·         Always ride with your hands on the handlebars.

·         Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, an alley, or a curb.

·         Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crossing and following traffic signals.

·         Ride on the left-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars do. Never ride against traffic.

·         Use bike lanes or designated bike routes wherever you can.

·         Don't ride too close to parked cars. Doors can open suddenly.

·         Stop at all stop signs and obey traffic  lights just as cars do.

·         Ride single-file on the street with friends.

·         When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their right side, and call out "On your right!" so they know that you are coming.

Here are two children from our class leaving the school grounds to bike home.

                                    Safe Riding Tips 

Remember to:

• Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet. Protect your brain, save your life.
• Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. The seat should be level front to back. The seat height should be adjusted to allow a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended on the pedal.
• Check Your Equipment. Before riding, inflate tyres properly and check that your brakes work.
• See and Be Seen. Whether daytime, dawn, dusk, foul weather, or at night, you need to be seen by others. Always wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colours when riding day or night. Also wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights.
• Control Your Bicycle. Always ride with two hands on the handlebars. Carry books and other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack. 
• Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards. Be on the lookout for hazards such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves, and dogs. All these hazards can cause a crash. If you are riding with friends and you are in the lead, yell out and point to the hazard to alert the riders behind you.
• Avoid Riding at Night. It is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day because you are harder for others to see. If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by others. Make sure you have reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle (white lights on the front and red rear reflectors are required by law).
  Safe Cycling.