Tips From Canadian Tire for Outfitting your Child with the Right Bike and Accessories

With spring finally here, many children will be anxious to get on their bikes and parents are faced with the important task of choosing the right first bike or replacing the one their child has already outgrown.

To help parents select the appropriate bike, Canadian Tire has an easy-to-follow guide posted in the bike department, to show how to measure a child to match the correct size of bike. To ensure maximum comfort and safety, it’s important that the bike is not too big or too small. As a general guideline, your child should be able to clear the top tube of the frame by 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) when straddling the bike with both feet on the ground. Measure your child’s inseam – the distance from the foot to the crotch on the inside of the leg (see picture) – then find the right measurement on the frame/wheel chart below:

Helmets

Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. With stats like that, a well-fitting helmet is equally as important as the right-sized bike. If a helmet isn’t right, it won’t offer children the protection they need. Canadian Tire suggests these guidelines for fitting and replacing helmets:

• Measure the head for the correct size.

• Customize the helmet with supplied pads to get a good fit.

• The helmet should sit level across the forehead, just above the eyebrows and fit snugly so that once on, it does not slide up over the forehead.

• Helmets need to be replaced if they have sustained an impact. Unlike a football or baseball helmet, bicycle helmets are designed to absorb the energy of one impact only.

• For maximum protection, it’s recommended that helmets be replaced every three years.

- News Canada

For Biking Products including Helmets go to

Also See:

Tips From Safe Kids Canada to Encourage Children to Wear Helmets

Sick Kids study shows bicycle helmet legislation leads to fewer bicycle-related head injuries in children

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Dangers of Bike Helmet on Playgrounds

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