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children'S bicycleS
USEFUL InFoRMATIon FoR PAREnTS
Children are among the most vulnerable road user groups, not only
because of their lack of experience and practice, but also for the simple
reason that they are smaller and may therefore have difficulties over-
seeing things and be easily overlooked by other road users.
If you want your child to use his/her WHEELER bicycle on the road, you
should be willing to invest time in road safety instruction and help him/
a
her improve his/her riding skills (a+b). Children are not as observant
as adults, and you should therefore get into the routine of checking
the bicycle and performing adjustments and maintenance as neces-
sary. If you are in doubt or if you have any questions, then contact your
WHEELER bicycle dealer.
Bear in mind that it is your responsibility to supervise your child on his/
her first rides and do not overchallenge your child! Inform yourself about
the traffic rules in your country. They vary from country to country. For
example, in Germany, children must use the pavement until they are
eight years old and they are permitted to do so until the age of ten.
b
It is essential that your child has good control of his/her WHEELER
bicycle before riding on public roads. As a first step in this direction we
recommend that you give your child a scooter or a pedalless bicycle so
that he/she can train his/her sense of balance.
This being accomplished you will need to make your child familiar with
the functioning of the brakes
on his/her WHEELER bicycle. Find a place away from the road, ideally
a backyard or park, where you can practise braking and shifting gears
with your child under your supervision.
c
Once your child has progressed to a point where he/she can ride in
traffic, teach him/her how to cross kerbs and railway tracks, i.e. to
cross these obstacles, if possible, at right angle. Your child should also
learn to look ahead and back for any danger before taking this kind of
obstacle.
Set a good example when it comes to wearing a cycling helmet and to
riding on cycle lanes. It is also advisable to let your child take part in
road safety lessons offered at schools or by local clubs and associa-
tions.
d
90
(c)
and gears
(d)
before you let him/her sit
G
It is important to tell children when they practise braking
that in wet conditions the brake performance is less effec-
tive and the tyre grip reduced and that they should therefore
ride more slowly and brake more carefully.
G
Take care your child is wearing the helmet
cycling. For example, wearing the helmet at a park or play-
ground can be hazardous; the helmet could get caught on
features or obstacles and result in strangulation by the hel-
met straps.
A
Make sure the child always wears a properly fitting cycling
helmet and well visible, i.e. bright, clothing. It is also advis-
able to wear reflector stripes to increase visibility.
A
Make sure the cycling helmet complies with the DIn En
1078 standards.
A
Children can be vain. Therefore, buy a cycling helmet that
the child feels happy with. Take your child with you to make
sure you buy one which is comfortable and fits correctly.
This will increase the chances that the helmet is actually
worn, which one day might be a life-saver. Make sure the
helmet is always fastened!
A
When you buy the helmet, have it explained to you how to
adjust the straps of the helmet to the head. only a properly
fitted helmet can provide full protection in case of an ac-
cident!
ADjUSTMEnT
Adjusting the WHEELER bicycle to the bodily proportions of a child
is even more important than in the case of an adult. When determining
the saddle height you should find a compromise that allows the child to
reach the ground with both feet when sitting in the saddle while at the
same time giving them enough space for pedalling (h). A safe standing
(when stopping) takes absolute priority!
Handlebars that are too far away from the saddle or adjusted in a too
high/low position can also lead to the fact that the child is less confident
and relaxed during cycling. Normally, children's bicycles allow adjust-
ments of the saddle tilt and sometimes the tilt of the handlebars can
be adjusted as well.
(e+f)
only for
(g)
e
f
f
g
h
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