Luckily bikes are low maintenance compared to many types of transport.

Here's a checklist to use when giving the bike a check over and you should always check tyres, brakes and gears each time you ride. We also recommend you have a bike mechanic give your bike a thorough service and check-over when needed.

STEP 1. Lift the front end of the bike by the handlebar stem:

• pat the front tyre to check the wheel is tight in the frame. If it has a quick release lever to hold the wheel in position, check it has been closed using firm pressure (enough to leave an imprint in your palm)
• squeeze the sides of the front tyre to check inflation. It should be hard to push in. Many tyres have a recommended inflation pressure range written on their side - if you have a pump with a pressure gauge, check the pressure is in the recommended range at least once a week.
• wobble the tyre /wheel from side to side to check there is no excessive movement.
• Spin the wheel and check it rotates without excessive side to side movement or brake rub.

STEP 2. Return the wheel to the ground, apply the front and rear brakes:

• check that the brake pads meet the rim evenly.
• check that the cables inside the levers are free from fraying.
• check that the brakes work by pushing the bike forward and engaging the brakes.
• If your bike has disc brakes:
• Check when applying the brake that the feel at the lever is firm, not spongy, and that full brake can be applied before the lever reaches the bar.
• Check the disc rotors do not rub excessively when the wheel is rotating. Do not touch the braking surface of the disc rotor, the oil from your skin can reduce the braking performance.

STEP 3. Release the brakes, step over the front wheel and grip it between the knees:

• grasping the handlebar grips, check for no side to side or up and down movement.
• check that all levers on the handlebars are tightly fitted.

STEP 4. Move towards the rear of the bike, grasp the saddle:

• check it cannot be moved up and down or side to side.

STEP 5. Lift the rear of the bike by the saddle:

• pat the tyre in the direction of the rear drop-outs to check the rear wheel is tight in the frame. Again, If it has a quick release lever to hold the wheel in position, check it has been closed using firm pressure (enough to leave an imprint in your palm)
• squeeze the sides of the rear tyre to check inflation.
• wobble the tyre/wheel from side to side to check there is no excessive movement
• Spin the wheel and check it rotates without excessive side to side movement or brake rub

STEP 6. Ask the rider to work the pedals by hand whilst you continue to hold the rear wheel off the ground by the saddle:

• work the back gear lever from one extreme to the other (whilst rider pedals by hand) to check that the chain will not throw off the largest or smallest sprocket jam.
• repeat using the front gear changer to ensure the chain will not throw off the chain-rings.
• wobble the pedals side to side in turn to check there is no excessive play in the bearings or in the bottom bracket.

Wearing a well fitting helmet greatly reduces the severity of head injury. Its also the law. Here are some tips on getting the fit right:

• The helmet should have a recognised Safety Standard such as Australian Standard AS 2063.
• It must fit snugly on your head and should be comfortable.
• It needs to be positioned squarely on the head, sitting just above the eyebrows.
• After closing the buckle with a click, adjust the straps so the helmet is securely fastened, with only enough room for two fingers to be inserted between chin and strap.
• It should not tilt forward to obstruct you seeing clearly or rearward to expose the forehead.

Visibility is vital. Failure to be seen on the bicycle is one of the most common causes of collisions between cars and bicycles. Here are a few simple tips:

• Be seen by wearing bright clothing. Reflective clothes are even better.
• If it's dark or low light, use lights front and rear. Flashing lights are excellent. Make sure you check your batteries regularly.
• Make sure there are reflectors on the bike.

A bell is a good way to warn other users, especially on bike paths, that you're coming.

Now that you've purchased a bike for your child, got a helmet and the necessary safety gear, here are some helpful tips to guide your child when out riding:

• Its best to start off by taking your kids to a place well away from other traffic, such as a park or bike trail, and teach them to ride confidently.
• Check the bike fits - their feet should be able to touch the ground when sitting in the saddle and be able to comfortably reach and use the handlebar, brakes and gears.
• Be patient. Teaching kids to ride confidently takes many hours, and children will tire easily and lose concentration. So its best to do this in short bursts.
• Practice skills like:
  • Riding in a straight line over 50m
  • Riding with one hand off the handle bars (for hand signals)
  • Looking over their shoulder for turning traffic
  • Riding at different speeds and being able to stop at a given place; and
  • Turning to avoid obstacles.
• When you feel your child is ready, go for a ride on a footpath with them, in close proximity so that you can talk to them about tricky bits, and to alert them to dangers and encourage safe riding.
• Be aware that the most common cause of injury when riding on the footpath is watching out for cars turning or reversing out of driveways.
• Things to remember are:
  • Maintain a roadworthy bike for your child and helmet is imperative
  • Be bright and be seen
  • Practice makes perfect - so practice often with your kids
  • Encourage your child to make decisions
  • Observe your child riding and give them feedback
  • Be a positive role model (and don't forget to wear your helmet!)
• By law in most states, children can ride on the footpath up until the age of 12years. If they are older, and you're riding on the road, ride beside them (two abreast is legal in Australia) and again talk to them about how to anticipate potential hazards.
• Its advisable that children at a young age not be left alone to ride until at least mid primary school, as they don't have the cognitive and decision making skills to consistently make safe riding decisions. Plus, capacities to ride are quite context specific, and also gender related, with boys generally having better balancing and co-ordination skills than girls.
• It's up to you as the parent, to decide when your child has sufficient skills to ride safely, but do keep in mind that sometimes parents overestimate the skills of their kids.

Finally, make enquiries about bike education at your child's school or in your local area to really given them a head start.

At the end of the day it's all about being safe together.

Every year an average over 2,550 cyclists are either killed or injured on our roads.

Analysis of collisions show that while the causes are many, they are equally shared between motorists and cyclists. Each of us has a responsibility to drive and cycle responsibly.

Here are a couple of facts to keep in mind:

• Failure to be seen is one of the most common causes of fatal collisions.
• Both mid block and intersections are significant collision zones.
• More than two-thirds of the deaths of cyclists aged 5-17 years were the result of the bike rider failing to give way to oncoming traffic and about half of these cases occurred at intersections. A typical behaviour for the younger (pre teenage) bike riders was to enter the intersection from a footway without dismounting and without looking. Remember to check left and right every time you enter a road way.

• Sharing the road means obeying the road rules, including traffic signals, and respecting other road users
• Indicate your intentions - use hand signals and make eye contact with drivers when changing direction
• Make sure you are visible to other road users
• Make sure your bike is roadworthy and fits you properly
• Be predictable and courteous and alert to other road users
• Wear a bicycle helmet at all times when cycling.
• Use lights when riding in low light conditions

• Be patient when overtaking
• Treat bicycle riders as equal partners: cycle traffic has the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle traffic
• Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast, respect their right and be patient when overtaking
• Look for cyclists when opening car doors and making turns
• Give people on bicycles at least one metre width clearance. They may have to swing out to avoid hazards such as loose drain covers or glass
• Bicycle lanes are for the exclusive use of cyclists to increase their safety. They can only be used when passing a right turning vehicle or to enter/leave a car parking space