As the school year begins, many parents are preparing to send their children back to class, and some families may decide to let their kids walk or bike to school rather than take the bus. While these are healthy options that encourage exercise and independence, they also come with safety risks.
For parents whose kids are walking or biking to school rather than taking the bus, it can help to teach their children the skills they need to stay safe on their journey to school.
Map out a safe route
A good place to begin is for parents to map out a safe route for their school-going children to use to-and-from school. Strategizing can help kids who walk or bike to school to:
- Avoid high-traffic streets
- Use routes with sidewalks
- Use designated crosswalks
- Utilize pedestrian bridges
- Leverage bike lanes
Parents should practice the route together with their kids to help them feel more confident and give the parents a chance to point out hazards to avoid.
Teach the rules of the road
Before allowing kids to walk or bike to school, parents should confirm that their children understand the basic traffic rules. Children who walk to school should know that they should always stop at crosswalks to look both ways before crossing. Children who ride their bikes to school should know that they’re safer:
- Riding on the right side of the road
- Obeying traffic signals
- Using hand signals to communicate with drivers
School-going kids who are not already familiar with bike hand signals for turning or stopping should learn them before riding their bikes to school.
Visibility is key
One of the greatest risks to young pedestrians and cyclists is not being seen by drivers, especially in low-light conditions such as early morning or dusk. Therefore, parents should equip their kids who walk or cycle to school with bright or reflective clothing, backpacks and accessories to boost visibility. Bikes that kids ride to school should be fitted with lights and reflectors on the front, back and wheels.
Walking or biking to school can be a healthy and enjoyable way for children to start their day, but safety must be a top priority. By teaching children the rules of the road, helping to ensure they are visible to drivers and equipping them with the right gear, parents can help reduce risks to their kids’ daily commute. However, should an accident occur, parents should not hesitate to connect with a trusted legal team to hold the reckless parties accountable.
