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Size does matter when it comes to children's cycles, says RoSPA

Buy the right-sized bicycle for your child is the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on day two of its second national Family Safety Week.

This year’s theme is safer cycling and today the national accident prevention charity is shining the spotlight on choosing cycles for children.

RoSPA’s advice is that a bike is the right size if the child can:

  • reach the handle bars without stretching
  • sit in a position where they are not leaning too far forward
  • reach and easily use the brakes
  • touch the ground with the toes of both feet while seated on the saddle

Nick Lloyd, RoSPA’s road safety manager said: “One of the factors in cycling accidents involving children is a loss of control over the bike. This is why bike size is important. If a bike is too big and they can’t touch the ground with the ball of their foot then the bike is too large for them to control safely, which might result in them falling off. Wearing a helmet is a sensible way of protecting the head, especially in accidents where people lose control of their bicycles.

“Cycle training is also important in helping young cyclists to gain confidence and safety knowledge, so why not ask about it? Many schools offer Bikeability training in years 5 and 6.”

For more information on cycling safety for children, visit www.familysafetyweek.org.uk/

Family Safety Week was launched yesterday at Queensbridge School in Birmingham by Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts and James Cracknell OBE. It runs until Saturday (March 7).

Notes to editors:

1. According to Department for Transport statistics, six children were killed in cycling accidents in 2013. Two hundred and seventy-six young cyclists aged 0-15 were seriously injured, with a further 1676 suffering slight injuries.

2. RoSPA has been at the heart of accident prevention for almost 100 years. It exists to save lives and reduce injuries in the home, on the roads, during leisure, at work and in schools and colleges.

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