The first step to safety with a bicycle is the bicycle itself. Making sure that the bicycle is kept in good operating condition is important. Your child should check the brakes regularly and in the case of hand brakes, worn pads should be replaced. Rims that have missing spokes should also be replaced to ensure that the wheels are sturdy, especially if your child is doing a lot of jumping. Reflectors and headlights are helpful accessories if your child rides in traffic frequently. You should also check that your child’s bicycle is adjusted properly for his height. If the child cannot touch the ground properly, this situation can make his ability to stop and start difficult and can pose a serious threat when riding in traffic.

Clothing is a very important element to practice bicycle safety. Your child should wear a helmet at all times to prevent him from sustaining a head injury. Smaller children who are still shaky on their bicycles may want to wear elbow and knee pads also. For children who ride regularly in traffic, reflective or light colored clothing is recommended, especially for riding past dusk in the evening. These clothes will enable oncoming motorists to see them against the dark sky.

Younger children should not ride in traffic at all and older children should refrain from doing it unless there is no other choice. Your child should try to stick to marked paths or trails instead of busy city streets. If your child does need to ride in traffic, he should always remember to travel in the same direction as the traffic. Hand signals should always be performed when turning in traffic so the motorists will know which way the child is going to go. The standard hand signals are extending the left arm straight out to turn left and bending the left arm at the elbow with the forearm pointing up to turn right. These only take a few minutes to do and can prevent your child from being hit by an oncoming vehicle.

For older children, riding double is never a good idea. Single-seated bicycles are not designed to be ridden with two people on them. It throws your balance off and both you and your passenger can be hurt in a spill.

Many children also enjoy jumping on their bicycles. This is not recommended on a bicycle with a standard design. For children that want to do a lot of jumping, the mountain bikes that are on the market hold up best during this activity. The rims are reinforced and do not bend as easily to make for easier landings. It is recommended that these children should do this kind of jumping in existing bike ramp areas. Building ramps and jumps on their own can be a key for disaster.

Bicycling can be a lot of fun, but it can be dangerous as well. By teaching your child bicycle safety, you can ensure that he has a safe and enjoyable experience.

The reason why there is so much controversy comes from deciding safety issues in regards to electric bikes. In recent years, countries like Canada, the United States, and even the United Kingdome have had to pass new laws to include electric bikes. Most state and federal laws recognize that these are not actually a moped or a motorcycle, and they are more like bicycles than anything else. Still some states did need to change certain laws with regards to safely using electric bikes.

Electric Bikes in New South Wales

For instance, in New South Wales motorized bicycles only need to be registered if they run on over 200 watts of electric energy. If the bike is exempt from registration, then the rider must take the same precautions as other normal bicycle riders.

Canadian Regulations

In Canada electric assisted bikes are not considered motorcycles and are limited to only electric motors of at most 500 watts. These bicycles are only allowed to reach speeds of 32km an hour. They are allowed within most jurisdictions and do not have the same restrictions that mopeds or motorcycles have. Therefore just about anyone can use them.

Electric Bike Regulations in China

This bike was recognized as a non-motorized vehicle in 2002 but it was not allowed to be used in certain areas of Beijing until recently. The reason it was banned was because of certain concerns about environmental and safety issues. Those safety issues have to do with vehicular impact.

Electric Bikes in the UK

The maximum power that is allowed on an electric bike, without requiring that it be registered as a motor bike, is 250 watts with a maximum speed of 25 km.

In the U.S.A.

In the United States, electric bikes have the same regulations as regular bikes as long as the power does not exceed 750 W and a speed of 20 miles per hour.

As you can see most battery-powered bicycles function in most countries under the same laws and regulations that govern the use of normal bicycles. This means they don’t have to be registered as motorcycles and they don’t have any special licensing requirements. This makes them easier to use, less worrisome, and great for kids and adults alike.

All in all, government regulations believe electric bikes to be as safe as bicycles but suggest that they be used only where bicycles are used, and that the same precautionary measures such as wearing helmets and knee pads take place.

However, the benefits of bicycle riding are somehow counterbalanced by the dangers of bicycle riding. Bicycle riders most often have problems with visibility and these can sometimes lead them to accidents especially if they encounter aggressive and irresponsible vehicle drivers.

If you happen to be caught in this situation, meaning you had an accident while riding or driving a bicycle and you are not at fault then you can claim compensation for the bicycle accident. Bicycle claim compensation may not be so well known but bicycle drivers and passengers who get knocked off their bicycles can claim compensation from the accident, just like victims of other vehicles accidents.

If you are a victim of a bicycle accident then you can file a bicycle compensation claim against the owner of the vehicle who was at fault. The said owner will have a course of action against his insurance company.

Bicycle claim compensation can include the personal injuries suffered by the bicycle rider from the accident. He can also claim compensation for any expenses he may have spent for the repair or replacement of his bicycle and even for his clothes and bike accessories which were damaged as a result of the accident. Aside from that, a bicycle rider who has been hurt in a bicycle accident and who can not work for a period of time due to the accident can also claim the income lost as a result of that accident.

Bicycle drivers can also claim compensation for road injuries as a result of the negligence of other people. People who are responsible for keeping public roads safe for drivers and passengers as well as passers by can also be liable for damages and the bicycle driver can also file a compensation claim against them.

However, victims of bicycle accidents will only be able to claim proper compensation for such accidents if they are represented by a well-experienced solicitor who will help them get proper compensation claim from those who have been negligent and who caused the accident.

Most drivers are covered by liability insurance and this will answer for the compensation claim being sought for by the bicycle driver who figured in the accident. The bicycle driver who was injured in the accident also need not pay his chosen solicitor since the insurance company of the person at fault will pay for the legal fees as well as any settlement that will be agreed by the parties.

Whatever injury you may have suffered while driving a bicycle and whether it was caused by another vehicle which was at fault or a poorly-maintained road, it is always advisable to see a solicitor who can give you the best advice and plan of action in such bicycle compensation claim.