Bike Seat Risks for Your Child
When you have a child, you want to do everything with them. In today’s society, there are so many options for parents that they rarely have to give up their favorite activities or leave their kids at home. One of these fantastic options is the bike seat. The ability to strap your child to your bicycle safely means that you can exercise to your heart’s content.
But wait. Are bike seats really as safe as they seem? While they may provide parents and other adults with an effective way to take a child along for a ride, they may not be that safe. Here are the risks associated with bike seats.
- If you are involved in an accident, the child will have a lengthy drop to the ground. This is why it is so important that children wear helmets, even while strapped into a bike seat.
- Child safety seats have stiff, upright backs. If your child falls asleep during the ride, their head may tilt uncomfortably forward. Look for a bike seat that reclines.
- If you run into inclement weather, your child is left exposed. Unlike a bike trailer that can be zipped closed (like a tent), a bike seat leaves your little one exposed to the elements.
- Your child can easily get their feet stuck in the bike’s components, even if the seat has foot rests. Make sure you choose a seat that has foot straps as well. This will prevent your child from swinging their feet and risking injury.
Bike seats need to be chosen as carefully as car seats. One seat may not made as well as another. Do some research and look for a seat that has all of the bells and whistles you and your child need. This is the best way to ensure the safety of any little one you take along for the ride.
If you or your child are injured in a bicycle accident in Austin, please call our office. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation in order to discuss the facts of your case. Call now or browse our website for more information about our firm and how our accident attorneys can assist you.
