(Featured image: Before letting your child ride on the road, practice with him until you feel secure about his ability).
WOOM KIDS HELMET
$69 | us.wombikes.com
This bright helmet has extended coverage at the back of the head and forehead, a magnetic closure system and buffered padding. Comes in three sizes and is great for kids on two wheels.
NUTCASE BABY NUTTY MIPS HELMET
$60 | nutcasehelmets.com
Start your child early with a bike helmet and he just may stick with it. The Baby Nutty helmet is available in one tiny size and comes with set of pads for a closer fit.
JOOVY NOODLE HELMET
$25.99 | joovy.com
A lightweight, comfortable helmet for toddlers and preschoolers, this tightens up using an adjustable dial system. Comes in seven different colors.
NO LOOSE HELMETS!
Get a Bike Helmet Fitting Guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/8019_fitting-a-helmet.pdf
TOP SKILLS FOR YOUNG BIKE RIDERS
SKILL #1
RIDE A STRAIGHT LINE
Take your child to a park, playground, or empty parking lot for practice and find a straight paint stripe on the pavement. Have your child practice riding on the stripe without veering to one side or another.
SKILL #2
LOOK BACK WITHOUT SWERVING
Have your child ride the same stripe while you hold a cardboard picture of a car. As he rides past, hold the “car” up or hide it behind your back and say, “LOOK!” Your child should look back and say “CAR!” or “NO CAR!”
SKILL #3
STOPPING AND SPEED CONTROL
While practicing, have your child slowly ride toward an item on the ground to stop just before hitting it. Gradually increase the speed and watch for skidding (not good). As your child speeds up, he will need to start using his brakes sooner.