Bike Safety

My husband is a keen bike rider, usually riding daily, at least too and from work, if not more. It scares me sometimes though as the roads he takes to get him too and from work are very busy. The fear is made worse when I read facts like the one below -
“Every year in the UK, approximately 19,000 cyclists are killed or injured in reported road accidents”From: http://www.rospa.com/
Once our little boy is only enough we’ll have him out on a bike as soon as possible. I have fantastic memories of being young and being able to play out in the street with my friends on my little pink bike, the day I got my stabilisers off felt like such an achievement. Sadly we live next to a very busy road, so our little man won’t be able to rid about on the streets, but we will still make sure he is taught about road safety on his bike from an early age.
Eversure have provided some cycle safety tips for both children and adults -
You should never ride more than two abreast – the safest way to ride as a family is with your children IN FRONT, and you behind. Let your children cycle about a meter out from the curb, and with you following behind, slightly further out. This way, you can give instructions, and create space between traffic and your children. If mom and dad are both out, have one parent head up the front too.Always cycle with traffic, on the correct side of the road, never cycle into traffic, even if the roads are quiet.   Don't cycle on the pavement (unless its marked for cyclists)
Always have front (white) and rear (red) lights fitted to your bike, and check that these work before setting off.
Consider fitting a bike horn or bell to alert road users to your presence – you can get specialist electronic horns that can cut through most background noise (most kids prefer a bell though!)
You should wear light coloured clothes / hi vis / reflective clothing always when cycling in low visibility, not just at night
Don’t overload a rucksack or backpack, you could reduce your ability to maintain your balance.
Ride predictably, decisively, in a straight line, and well clear of the curb
Always look and signal clearly – you can get electronic signals reasonably cheaply
Don't use a mobile phone or earphones
Wear a properly fitting crash helmet.
Make eye contact where possible so you know drivers have seen you
Riding on the road is scary, consider getting your kids confident and trained young with http://bikeability.dft.gov.uk/ or similar scheme.
Be aware of traffic that might be pulling into, or out of driveways
Teach your child how to cross the road safely (or forbid them from crossing the road without you)
Keep children seen with light coloured clothing, and hi vis in low light conditions
Make sure your children have a set time to report in, if you can’t stand and watch them play (great for learning to tell the time too!)
Set your child boundaries or milestones (they can go as far as that lamp post, that tree etc or no further than where the line of sight disappears) so they know not to run off ahead too far
*I have not been paid for this post*