Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

4 must-dos for the cycling season By the CBC Kids team Published on April 27, 2022, | Last Updated May 16, 2022, Three friends riding their bikes together safely and wearing their helmets. 1. To start, a tune-up Man tuning up a bike on a workbench. We’re not talking just about an ordinary spring clean. This tune-up is more like a doctor’s checkup for your bike. Have a grown-up check the brake pads, tire pressure, and wheel alignment. Remember, a well-greased bike is a happy one! If an adult doesn’t have time to do it, ask them to take your wheels to the local bike shop for servicing. 2. Get to know your bike, and well! A bicycle with labeled parts, the description below in text. This is important if you ever needed to replace a part or get something fixed. With some research, you might even be able to fix your own bike! The parts of the bicycle you should know include The wheels: tire, spoke, and brake. The handles: brake lever, handlebars, and bell. The body: head tube, top tube, saddle, seat tube, crank, and pedal. The lights: reflector and bike light. 3. Be like Goldilocks and test out your bike A child is on a big bike and can't reach the pedals. Is your bike too big? Too small? Or just right? Your feet must be able to touch the ground. 4. Plan your bike ride Kids on their bikes reading a map. Get wild with nature by biking in the park or on the bike paths. If you know where you’re going, you can plan for it. If you know it’s going to be a long haul, bring a water bottle in case you get thirsty or a few snacks to give you energy. 5. Ride with a buddy Three kids riding together on a trail. Fun always begins with friends (and family too)! Make sure to keep a safe distance from other riders and any people you might meet on your ride. 6. Give a grown-up a heads up A kid telling a grown-up that they're going bike riding. This may not be a bike trip, but it’s good to let a grown-up know where you’re going and who you are going with. Worried grown-up = destroyer of fun, and nobody wants that. 7. Go with the flow Kid cycling with the flow of traffic. If you ride on the road, make sure you’re in a bike lane, or close to the curb going in the direction of traffic. If you’re riding with others, it’s best to cycle in a single line like “follow the leader” from a safe distance. 8. When cycling, bright colors are always in Kids wear bright colors when cycling. The brighter your clothes are, the better cars can see you. When in doubt, get the reflector tape out. 9. Make some NOISE! A girl ringing her bike bell when a car gets close. Bikes are silent. You want to let cars, people, and other bikes know where you are, so don’t be afraid to honk on that bike horn or ring that bell. 10. Don’t be a night-rider… A boy cycling home as it starts to get dark. Head home once the sun begins to set. If you are caught in the dark, make sure that you turn your bike light and reflectors on. 11. Stop at all stop signs Kids stopped on their bikes at a stop sign. And always remember to look both ways before you cross the road, or leave a driveway. 12. Practice using these hand signals every day! Bike hand signals as described in the text below. Left turn: put your left arm straight out Right turn: bend your left arm up, or you could point your right arm out. Stop: bend your left arm down. 13. Wear a helmet that fits Kids wearing helmets. Remember the 2-2-2 rule: Two fingers must be able to fit between your helmet and your eyebrow. Helmet straps must be snug and form a V-shape under your earlobe — use your two fingers to make sure! Your chin strap must fit snugly under your chin. Only two fingers should be able to fit between your chin and strap. 14. Put the pedal to the metal and have fun! kids riding bikes!