Bike riding and skating along the side of the road is dangerous. Many cities and towns provide bike trails and areas for in-line skating. Besides your yard, these are the safest areas for you to bicycle and skate since there are no vehicles allowed there.

When you ride your bicycle or in-line skate on Indiana State roads, you are required to follow the same laws as motor vehicle drivers. There are also laws that are just for bicyclists and in-line skaters.

Helmets

All people between the ages of one and 14 are required to wear a helmet when bicycling or in-line skating in Indiana State. But a helmet will not protect you if it doesn't fit properly or is not used correctly:

• Your helmet should fit your head.
• The helmet should sit on top of your head, with the bottom two finger widths above your eyebrows.
• The strap should be fastened with room for only one finger inside the strap.
• And if your helmet has been in an accident, it should be replaced. There could be damage to the helmet that isn't visable.
• Helmets come in all sorts of styles and colors, including one with room for a pony tail, so no excuses!

Children under the age of one are not allowed to ride as passengers on bicycles.

Dress for Safe Bicycling and In-Line Skating

During the day, wear light colored or bright colored clothing so you can be seen.

At night, you should wear light colored and reflective clothing.

Bicycle Equipment for Night Riding
If you ride your bicycle at night, the law requires:

• Lighting equipment on the bike.
• New bicycles must be equipped with reflective tires or a reflector mounted on the spokes of each wheel.
• Bicycles used at night must also be equipped with reflective devices or reflective material.

Also all bicycles are required to have a bell or sound device but NOT a siren or whistle.

Equipment for Safe In-Line Skating
Our partners at the Indiana State Department of Health have told us that many injuries in-line skaters get are preventable. If you are under the age of 14, you must wear a helmet. Other equipment which can protect you in an in-line skating fall:

• Knee pads
• Elbow pads, and
• Wrist guards.