Beach cruisers are already a fairly safe bike choice for kids – cruisers encourage kids to ride at safe, leisurely speeds rather than engaging in racing or off-roading. The stable, wide seats and tires can also mean fewer tumbles. Despite this, accidents can still happen. To make your child’s beach cruiser bike even safer, make sure that you:

1) Have your child wear appropriate clothing that is very visible. Bright colors allow cars to see your child, while close fitting, comfortable clothes ensure that items of clothing do not become caught in the beach cruiser gears or other moving parts.

2) Attach a bright day-glo decal or flag to the back of your child's beach cruiser bike. This will allow drivers to easily see your child. Luckily, beach cruisers come with many cool decals and accessories that can make a bike more appealing and safer.

3) Set rules. Younger children should ride only during daylight hours while older children should have curfews or check-in times so that you know everything is well. All kids should only be allowed to ride if they follow the rules of the road and wear the right safety equipment. Children should not be allowed to listen to headphones or talk on cell phones while riding on a beach cruiser – distractions only encourage accidents.

4) Buy your child a helmet and insist that they use it. Many parents assume that since beach cruisers mean a more leisurely ride, a helmet is not necessary. This is not the case. Although beach cruisers can be safer, falls and accidents still can occur. Help your child pick out an attractive and well-fitted helmet and insist that your child wear it properly buckled each time he or she rides.

5) Teach your child the rules of the road. Your child should not be riding around on their beach cruiser – or on any other bike – until they know traffic rules and can obey them. Ride around with your child until you are satisfied that your child obeys the rules of the road.

6) Know your child’s friends. Encourage your child to go riding with friends. That way, if an accident does occur, others will be there to provide help or get assistance. Find out who your child goes riding with and get phone numbers and addresses. If something does go wrong, you can check with friends first, before jumping to conclusions.