Safer Cycling Calgary News Blog

The most obvious thing to check on your bike is the condition of the wheels. There's a few things to check:

• condition of the tire: check for cracks, remaining tread
• condition of the rim: check for dents, bends, significant rust
• condition of the spokes: check for bent, broken, loose spokes
  
• valve: check that it's sticking straight out of the rim, not bent, and has a cover
• air: check the air pressure and inflate to the recommendation on the side of the tire.

While you're inspecting the wheels, take note of the size of the wheel embossed on the rubber and, if the wheel uses a tube, double check that you have the correct size and valve type as a replacement.

Once you get going, you must be able to stop. Ensure your (hand) brakes are working properly by: 

• check the brake pads for wear and alignment on the rim or disc
• check the lever operation: they should engage the brakes fully, with some space remaining
• check the brake operation: should not be sticking or unable to stop a spinning wheel.

If your bike has coaster brakes, ensure that they are operational, especially if it is your only brake. 

The drivetrain of the bike is what makes your bike go. It's critical to check the following:

• chain: clean, dry, well lubricated (wash off the dust and old oil before applying new!), no rust, not worn/stretched
• chain rings/cassette: clean, no bent, broken or missing teeth, not worn, no rust, tightly secured to bike
• pedals & pedal crank: intact, not significant rust, straight, rotates freely, no wobble in bottom bracket. 

After checking the drivetrain, put your bike in a stand (or otherwise hold up the back wheel), and run through all the gears, making sure there's no skipping, sticking/hesitation, or resistance. Ensure set screws are adjusted properly.

Have grip shifters, and want to upgrade to click shifters? Read this blog post to find out how!

No matter what accessories you have, it's important to check that they're in good shape, operational and adjusted properly. Things to check include (but are not limited to):

• computer is firmly attached, wires not frayed/exposed, battery changed, correct wheel size, odometer zeroed
• bell is firmly attached, properly positioned, operational
• water bottle cage is firmly attached, not cracked, broken or bent out of shape
• rack(s) have all screws tight, clear of wheels, not bent or broken
• lights have fresh batteries, firmly attached (or attachments are intact), pointed in the right direction, bulbs are operational
• lock: keys or combo are known, no rust or damage
• seat is in good shape, no rips/tears, and adjusted properly (also check that it isn't seized in the seat tube)

Other accessories, including child seats, trailers or child bike linkages should be checked to be sure they're attached securely, no cracks, all parts are found/operational, material isn't brittle and that everything is clean. Trailer wheels should also be checked thoroughly. 

While not technically required for adults in Alberta, wearing a helmet is the wisest choice. If you're going to wear a helmet, check it for:

• cleanliness: both the shell and the inner parts
• age: old helmets may not perform as well as new ones, especially if they've been exposed to extreme temperatures
• condition: no cracks, significant scratches, or dents (even if it looks ok, if you found it under a pile of things, it might not be ok)
• straps: no fraying, buckle operation
• fit: use the 2V1 rule to ensure the helmet still fits.

If in doubt about any part of your helmet, get a new one. Remember that most helmets are only good for one impact: if your helmet fell off a high shelf, had heavy things thrown onto it, or was involved in a crash it's time for a new one. 

There's nothing wrong with getting a new helmet just because it's a new season, either, so go for it!

Please do not donate, sell or give away unsafe helmets: cut the straps so they can't be used by anyone else (I recommend saving the buckles, if they're in good shape). Used, but safe, helmets can be given away or sold, but I don't recommend buying a used helmet unless you know the person who wore it and trust that they haven't dropped/damaged the helmet (ie buying a used helmet from a used-goods store could be dangerous as damage is not always visible).

The first thing to do to prepare your child's bike for the season is to make sure it fits! Children grow quickly and often outgrow a bike every year until they're 9 or older, so it's important to make sure you're not squishing them onto a too-small bike. However, it's also important that a bike not be too big, for them to "grow into."

A bike is too big if:

• there is less than the child's hand width between the crotch and the top tube of the bike, when the child is standing (in shoes) over the bike frame, in front of the seat
• the child can't touch the ground at all when the seat is all the way down; for a child who is inexperienced or new to riding, they should be able to touch with at least the balls of their feet, or have their feet flat on the ground when seated
• the child has difficulty holding on to both hand grips when the handlebar is turned significantly (either way).
  

It is dangerous to allow a child to ride a bike that is too big for them. 

A bike is too small if: 

• the markings on the seat post indicating minimum insertion are exposed AND the child's feet are flat on the ground when seated on the seat
• the child is unable to turn the handlebar significantly without hitting their knees into it while pedalling.
  

Your child may have difficulty riding a bike that's too small for them, or experience back pain, leg cramps or other physical discomfort while riding. 


When checking your child's bike for fit, put your child in regular shoes, and look carefully for the markings on the seat post. At the beginning of the season, having approximately 2-3cm of available height adjustment on the seat is a good indication that the bike should fit through the year, depending on the type of bike, experience level and age of your child. If there's less than this, your child may need a new bike before the end of the season, and if there's more (but the bike isn't too big), you may get more than 1 season out of it. This is an extremely rough guide and should never be taken as a rule.

If in doubt as to whether a bike fits your child, take it and your child to a bike shop for a professional opinion. 

The most obvious thing to check on your child's bike is the condition of the wheels. There's a few things to check:

• condition of the tire: check for cracks, remaining tread
• condition of the rim: check for dents, bends, significant rust
• condition of the spokes: check for bent, broken, loose spokes
• valve: check that it's sticking straight out of the rim, not bent, and has a cover
• air: check the air pressure and inflate to the recommendation on the side of the tire. 

While you're inspecting the wheels, take note of the size of the wheel embossed on the rubber and, if the wheel uses a tube, double check that you have the correct size and valve type as a replacement. 

Once your child gets going, they must be able to stop. Ensure the hand brakes are working properly by: 

• check the brake pads for wear and alignment on the rim or disc
• check the lever position: child's hand should be able to reach the lever without difficulty
• check the lever operation: they should engage the brakes fully, with some space remaining
• check the brake operation: should not be sticking or unable to stop a spinning wheel.

If the bike has coaster brakes, ensure that they are operational, especially if it is the only way of stopping. 

The drivetrain of the bike is what makes the bike go. It's critical to check the following:

• chain: clean, dry, well lubricated (wash off the dust and old oil before applying new!), no rust, not worn/stretched
• chain rings/cassette: clean, no bent, broken or missing teeth, not worn, no rust, tightly secured to bike
• pedals & pedal crank: intact, not significant rust, straight, rotates freely, no wobble in bottom bracket. 

Some children's bikes have chain covers, which are designed to reduce injury and likelihood of getting dirty: it should be intact, not rubbing on anything, and not brittle. It may be necessary to temporarily remove the chain cover to access the chain for checking and essential maintenance. 

After checking the drivetrain, put the bike in a stand (or otherwise hold up the back wheel), and run through all the gears, making sure there's no skipping, sticking/hesitation, or resistance. Ensure set screws are adjusted properly. Have your child shift gears for you: they need to be able to do this on their own. 

Does your child's bike have grip shifters, and you want to upgrade to click shifters? Read this blog post to find out how!

No matter what accessories your child has, it's important to check that they're in good shape, operational and adjusted properly. Things to check include (but are not limited to):

• computer is firmly attached, wires not frayed/exposed, battery changed, correct wheel size, odometer zeroed
• bell is firmly attached, properly positioned, operational (make sure your child can operate it)
• water bottle cage is firmly attached, not cracked, broken or bent out of shape
• rack(s) have all screws tight, clear of wheels, not bent or broken
• lights have fresh batteries, firmly attached (or attachments are intact), pointed in the right direction, bulbs are operational
• lock: keys or combo are known, no rust or damage
• seat is in good shape, no rips/tears, and adjusted properly (also check that it isn't seized in the seat tube)

Other accessories, including teddy bear seats, baskets, handlebar streamers, or linkages to adult bikes should be checked to be sure they're attached securely, no cracks, all parts are found/operational, material isn't brittle and that everything is clean. 

Every child under 18 is required to wear a bike helmet when riding their own bike, or as a passenger in a bike trailer or on an adult bike. Check your child's helmet for:

• cleanliness: both the shell and the inner parts
• age: old helmets may not perform as well as new ones, especially if they've been exposed to extreme temperatures
• condition: no cracks, significant scratches, or dents (even if it looks ok, if you found it under a pile of things, it might not be ok); no stickers
• straps: no fraying, buckle operation
• fit: use the 2V1 rule to ensure the helmet still fits (have the child look up to avoid pinching under the chin when buckling).

If in doubt about any part of the helmet, get a new one. Remember that most helmets are only good for one impact: if the helmet fell off a high shelf, had heavy things thrown onto it, or was involved in a crash it's time for a new one.

Children may be hesitant to wear a helmet if they don't like it: make sure the colour and/or style of the helmet is acceptable to your child. You may want to consider buying/making a helmet cover, like Safer Cycling Calgary instructors wear, to make a "boring" helmet interesting or to provide options for your child to express themselves safely.