Lesson 5:
Swerving

Parents' Instructions

• Review the background information and Parent/Child Activity that follows.
• Have your child complete the age appropriate activity on the back.
• Sign the Rodeo Round-Up Form at Lesson 5 when the lesson is completed.
• Discuss with your child the fact that although riding in a straight line may not always be easy, in traffic it is critically important.

Swerving Background

Thirty percent of all automobile-bicycle collisions involving children under 15 occur when a child turns unpredictably into the path of faster moving traffic.

Parent/Child Activity

Discuss:

Before swerving to make a turn, change lanes or avoid an obstacle, look back over your shoulder to be sure the road is clear of traffic, signal and look again.

Practice:

Take your children to a safe parking lot or playground. Stand behind them while they ride along a straight painted line. Hold up numbered or colored cards and have them practice looking back over their shoulder and telling you the number or color of the card -- without riding off the painted line. Next, have your children practice the lane change process: Look back over the shoulder, signal, look again, then change lanes. Children should not be allowed to ride their bikes on the street until they have mastered this skill.

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