Katie's Writing Notes

To keep your child safe while using a foot-powered scooter*, teach your child these safety driving tips.

TIPS FOR FOOT-POWERED SCOOTER SAFETY

To keep your child safe while traveling, make sure your child:

1. wears protective gear whenever riding the scooter: a helmet, thick clothing with padding at the elbows and knees, protective eye gear, highly visible or light colored clothing, and closed footwear.

2. knows how to operate the scooter, using the steering wheel and brake (if available).

3. has adequate balance to be able to push off and stay upright on the scooter while traveling.

4. understands the importance and techniques of being observant of his or her surroundings.  This includes cars in driveways, cars on the street, pedestrians, animals.

5. understands general driving safety guidelines, such as to:

- drive on the sidewalks unless this practice is illegal in your state (check with your DMV),

- practice safety at intersections: look both ways before crossing the street, walk the scooter across the street,  observe traffic signs and signals, watch for cars turning at the corners.

- obey basic traffic laws, such as stopping at a stop sign or signal.

- stop and observe before crossing a driveway with a car in it, even if the car appears to be parked.

6. avoids riding on the street, unless it has no traffic.  Make sure your child moves quickly to the side of the road or to the sidewalk when a car approaches.

7. is always aware of traffic behind him or her.

8. travels on smooth, paved surfaces, such as sidewalks, playgrounds, park paved paths;  avoids rough, bumpy paths, paths with loose gravel, and paths with wet/icy surfaces; and avoids steep slopes that might allow the child to lose control of the scooter.

9. understands that pedestrians have the right of way on the sidewalk.  Teach your child pull to the side, away from the pedestrian, and even get off the scooter and walk the scooter past the pedestrian, to avoid any possibility of danger to either person.

Initially, be sure to practice driving the scooter with your child as many times as necessary until you are certain the child can handle the scooter with safety.  Do several practice runs on your driveway or a the park.  Make sure your child is mature enough to understand the consequences of poor driving behavior.

Check with the Department of Motor Vehicles of your state or your country for the laws pertaining to driving safety and helmet laws.  Make sure you are looking at laws for foot-powered scooters, not motorized ones.

*The information in this article relates to foot-powered scooters, not electric or motorized scooters, which are much more complicated both with safety practices and laws of the road.