As students settle back into their routine, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) encourages parents to refresh on road safety tips with their kids and to consider incorporating cycling as a way to get to and from school.

“Cycling is an active and economical way to get kids to and from school,” said Jeff Walker, VP Public Affairs. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about proper bike safety, to demonstrate proper habits, and to regularly check their cycling equipment.”

Some helpful tips for cyclists:

Road Safety

•Ride on the right hand side of the road in single file

•When crossing the road at a crosswalk remember to dismount your bike and walk it across

•Ride with your head up and be aware of cars, pedestrians, other cyclists and road hazards

•Be alert and don’t ride with ear phones in

•Be familiar with hand signals and always be sure to use them

•Know and obey road signs - remember that we all have to share the road

Equipment

•Make sure your bike is a proper fit

•Helmets do have expiration dates - it is important to check the Canadian

Standards Association (CSA) sticker on the back for the expiry date.

Mandatory helmet legislation now exists in a number of Canadian provinces.

•Have a bell or horn on your bike

•Regularly check the tires for air

•When at school lock the bike securely in a designated area

As students make their way back to the classroom this fall, many will be assisted by one of the over 80,000 dedicated student volunteers who participate in the Canadian Automobile Association’s School Safety Patrol program.

CAA is proud to have been there since the inception of the School Safety Patrol program in Canada in the 1920s, supporting local community-based programs across the nation. CAA is the largest sponsoring body of a Patrol program in the country and CAA Patrollers dedicate more than 5 million hours annually to ensure their fellow students commute to and from school safely.

For more information on Bike Safety, please visit www.bikesafety.caa.ca.

To find out more about the CAA School Safety Patrol Program, contact your local CAA Club or visit www.CAA.ca/ssp.

CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing more than 5.6 million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.