Is your kid's bike safe enough?

Children's mountain bikes sizes are calibrated not by height of the bike, but by wheel sizes. The right bike is one on which your child can be comfortably seated on the bike seat with feet just touching the ground.

The wheels of a bike play a very important part in the safety of a bike.
While testing the kids mountain bike, the wheels itself should spin freely without touching or grating against any other bike parts. The CPSC has a safety standard for the front wheels of all bikes, which requires that the front wheel remains attached to the bike even if all the nuts are removed.

1. Bike Size
Kids Mountain bikes sizes are calibrated not by height of the bike, but by wheel sizes. For example, bikes are available in 10", 12", 16" and so forth, which refers to the wheel size.

2. Wheels
The wheels of a kids mountain bike play a very important part in the safety of a bike. The wheel rims ideally should be made of a metal alloy or aluminium. Steel or chrome rims should be avoided, for the reason that when wet, brake pads tend to be less abrasive on these surfaces.

3. Brakes
Brakes are one of the most important aspects of a kid's mountain bike. Kid's bikes typically have coaster brakes, which are engaged by pedaling the bike backwards. Hand Brakes are generally available in older kids bikes as they have better hand power to depress these brakes. You can upturn the bike, spin the wheels and depress the hand brakes to test the power of the brakes.

4. Frame
The frame of a bike should be relatively strong and sturdy. Chain guards typically cover the chain of the bike.

How Do I Choose The Right Helmet For My Child's Bike?

Choosing the right helmet for your kid's bike is a must right from the time your child begins to ride a tricycle. Safety is of prime importance. Picking the right helmet is easy if you follow a few of these pointers.

1. Helmets come in 2 types - Hard Shell Helmets and Soft Shell Helmets. The hard ones are covered with a hard plastic or fiberglass shell, which enclose the polystyrene layer inside.

2. You can choose a helmet especially meant for cycling, or a multipurpose helmet for other sports like skateboarding can also double up as a bike helmet.

3. Choose a Brighly Colored Helmet.

4. Try the helmet on. If the helmet is too tight, it will feel uncomfortable.

5. Put the helmet straps on.
6. The helmet should go all the way around your head comfortably, and should cover your forehead upto 1 inch above your eyes.

Make your child pick out his/her own helmet. This way, your child will probably want to wear the helmet more. Regularly inspect the helmet for cracks or chips. Replace the helmet after a crash or collision. Helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years.: