Characteristics of Cyclists Ages 8-10

Outlook

Fearless: Many children have not developed an understanding of danger.
Easily distracted: Many children can focus on only one thing at a time. If they are distracted while riding, they may turn unexpectedly, often in front of traffic
Narrow field of vision: Children have about two-thirds of the peripheral vision of adults.
Adventuresome: Children are exploring more of the world around them, going more places and doing more things. They may take greater risks in their attempts to try new things.
Peer pressure: Children begin developing peer consciousness around age 10. They try to avoid doing things that will not be accepted by their peers. These children tend to adopt the cycling practices of those around them.
Confidence: Many youth overestimate their abilities to handle traffic situations.

Physical Development

Small size reduces visibility: Because they are so small, young cyclists and their small bicycles are difficult for motorists to spot in traffic.
Increased strength: Stronger riders ride faster. These cyclists' greater speed makes them unpredictable to other road users and enables them to ride into hazardous situations (such as darting in front of cars) at the blink of an eye.
Coordination: Older children's increased coordination makes them able to handle their bikes safely on busier roads, but it also may lead to bad habits such as "hot dogging", riding with no hands, or dodging onto sidewalks.

Crashes and Injuries

Falls: Children encounter more road hazards as they explore more territory. If they are travelling quickly, as many tend to do, these hazards can results in serious falls. Falling is the leading cause of cycling injuries.
Driveway and mid-block rideouts: Children enter the roadway from driveways, parking lots and sidewalks without stopping and watching for traffic. This behaviour is the most frequent cause of car-bike collisions involving children.
Intersections: Unlike younger children, these riders are more likely to ride on all available roads. They are more likely than younger children to encounter traffic lights. More than half of all collisions happen at intersections. For pre-teens, this is usually a result of ignoring or not understanding the rules of the road or not paying attention while riding.
Wrong-way riding: Riding facing traffic is among the most hazardous practices, greatly increasing the chances that a cyclist will be struck by a motor vehicle.
Unexpected left turns: Young cyclists turn or swerve without warning into the paths of overtaking cars or cars approaching from the opposite direction. A similar situation is created when wrong-way cyclists turn or swerve to the right into oncoming traffic.
Sidewalk riding: Sidewalk riding results in more injuries than riding on the road.
Stopping: By the time they have reached this age, most children ride bikes with hand brakes. Falls and collisions resulting from incorrect application of the brakes become more common in this age group.

Instructional Tactics

Use techniques that respond to the outlook of these youth:

Encourage children to follow safe practices early in life, before they can develop poor cycling habits.
Practice, review and reinforcement can ensure that confidence is tempered by improved skill and give them a more accurate assessment of their abilities.
Avoid "scare tactics". Emphasize positive behaviour and its rewards. Encourage them to always look around ahead of time, whenever they are going to cross an area where there might be traffic.
Encourage them to scan, shoulder check and look left and right before proceeding through traffic.
Encourage them to wait until a car has stopped completely or passed before they attempt to enter traffic.
Emphasize the use of approved cycling helmets, properly fitted.

Compensate for the effects of their physical development

Get children to wear bright clothes and safely decorate their bicycles and helmets in bright colours.
Encourage children to ride where they can be seen on the road (lane and destination positioning).
Emphasize predictable behaviour and following the rules of the road (bicycle as a vehicle).

Emphasize behaviours that reduce risk of injury

Encourage children to wear helmets and to wear them correctly.
Experienced cyclists have fewer falls. Practice on-bike handling skills. Make sure their bikes are in proper working order and practice proper braking procedures.
Practice handling skills that improve safety in traffic. Ensure that they are shoulder checking and signalling whenever they approach an intersection, turn or change their position on the roadway. Practice search and scan techniques.
By the time they are eight years old, cyclists should be instructed to ride on the road (not on the sidewalk).
Once cyclists are old enough to be riding on the road, they must follow the rules of the road. Teach them to always ride on the right. Ensure they practice procedures for passing motor vehicles on the right and at intersections.
Encourage children to ride during daylight hours only.
Have children practice destination positioning (it will make them more predictable and visible at intersections).

Handouts - Reprinted only with permission from the Prevention Institute

Grade 3
Bicycle Safety Grade 3

Grade 4
Bicycle Safety Grade 4

Grade 5
Bicycle Safety Grade 5