By: Hanna Nakano
Davis may be the bike capital of the country, but even here parents wrestle with a familiar dilemma: when is their child old enough to ride one alone?
The State of California has no set guidelines as to what age a child can bike alone, or stay home alone for that matter. In the City of Davis, with vast greenbelts and school bikescan programs, the incentive to allow growth of independence and autonomy in young bikers is palpable.
But when should your child explore that independence?
Sgt. John Renger with Davis PD and Jennifer Donofrio, Senior Transportation Planner with the City of Davis, talked with The Dirt about how to best prepare your child for this next milestone.
“There is no set age,” Renger and Donofrio said. “Riding with friends is always recommended as it is fun, the group is more visible, and everyone can work together on getting to school safely (or any other locations, soccer practice, etc.).”
Identification
Do children need to carry identification? They might not need a REAL ID, but City leaders say they should have contact information—name and phone number—to assist officers in contacting a parent if need be.
If carrying a form of identification feels supportive to your child, something as simple as a laminated card tucked in a jacket pocket or backpack is plenty.
Practice routes together
Whether your child is biking to school alone, a friend’s house, or to Yolo Berry, practicing the route together is key.
“I recommend that the parents practice with their kids on learning the route both to and from school, or any destination,” Renger and Donofrio told The Dirt. “Practice going through intersections and understanding when it is safe to cross. Practice where to bike on the street and on the pathway.”
Phone home?
The decision to provide a smartphone to teens or kids is often a fraught one, but City officials say having a way to phone home while adventuring independently is important: “Making sure the student has a way to communicate to their parents if they have a flat tire or other mechanical issue.”
How to speak to officers
If your child hears sirens while biking, knowing what to do and being prepared can go a long way in easing momentary anxiety. First things first: let your young biker know they need to pull to the right side of the road to be safely out of danger so the officer can speak with them.
“The overwhelming majority of these contacts are to educate the young bike rider on something that was unsafe, not to issue a citation,” Renger and Donofrio said. “Being respectful and cooperating is the best way to keep the contact to that educational level. Safety is the priority in those contacts.”
Added protection
In the City of Davis, families with students biking to school are afforded added protection through Active4.me. The app allows schools to scan your child’s bike in, and instantly sends a text message to alert guardians of their safe arrival. The City suggests leaning into that comfort.
“Use technology and give yourself some peace of mind to know where your child is while traveling to school. Worrying about where a child is can be stressful and using Active4.me and other tracking tools will help reduce your stress.”
