Visible in traffic

Make sure that the following safety equipment - often required by law - is in order. Depending on the type of bicycle you use, other rules may apply.

• A white or yellow light at the front and a red light at the rear are compulsory. These lights may be fixed or detachable.
• Reflectors are also compulsory: a white reflector at the front, and a red reflector at the back.
• Properly functioning brakes at the front and rear are compulsory.
• A bicycle bell that can be heard at least up to 20 metres away is also compulsory.  

Cycling to school with friends or alone makes your children feel independent and that is a good thing. But being vigilant is still important.

• Make sure your children are sufficiently visible in traffic. Check whether their bicycle is equipped with proper bicycle lights and make them wear a fluorescent jacket in the dark.
• Choose a sturdy bicycle helmet that fits well.
• Map out the safest route in advance, even if it is not the shortest. Practise the route with the youngest children.

Make sure you can see and be seen! The right lighting, fluorescent and reflective items provide extra visibility, especially when it is dark.

• On well-lit roads, a bicycle light with replaceable batteries goes a long way. They consume little energy. However, they are too weak to really illuminate the road.
• The best way to explore poorly lit roads is with a bicycle light with a USB rechargeable battery. These lamps produce a stronger beam of light.
• The more fluorescent, the better! That way you will catch the eye of drivers quicker. There is one rule that applies to fluorescents: if there are no reflective accents in your fluorescent equipment, you will still not be sufficiently visible in the dark. So always combine fluo with the necessary reflective material. 

We tend to take our fluorescent jacket out of the closet only when it gets dark. But even in rainy weather during the day your visibility is greatly reduced. Make a habit of always carrying your fluorescent equipment with you: for example, put it in your bicycle bag as standard.