Third Grade Bike Safety Program

The purpose of the Third Grade Bike Safety program is to teach and provide practice in:

• Safe biking and walking skills, like looking left, right, left before
  entering a street;

• Following basic rules of the road, like using signals and yielding to other road users who have the right of way at driveways and intersections; and
• Checking that their bike helmets fit snug, level and low on their forehead every time they ride.

But even more important is what happens outside the classroom. Each of us has an important role in teaching our children to be safe on the street. Here are a few suggestions for when you're walking, biking or driving around the community with your children:

• Encourage your child to observe the behavior of other users of the
  road, especially at intersections. Discuss real-world examples of
  adults and children you see following the rules of the road and behaving
  predictably in traffic.

• Help your child recognize examples of safe vs. unsafe choices. Crossing at corners, making eye contact with drivers before crossing their paths and riding with (not against) traffic will greatly reduce your child's risk of being hit by a car.
• Be a good role model for your children on the road. Whether it's wearing a well-fitted helmet or yielding to those with the right of way at intersections, they will do as you do, not as you say.

For more information see the Safe Routes to School website.