Videos for Children

Training Wheels -- April, 1995

by Terri Musser and Barbara Sturges

• One easy -- and good -- idea is to show a video tape on the subject -- if you have access to one which is well done and appropriate to the age group to be addressed.
• Even if a video does not present each point in the way you would like, it can be stopped for discussion, giving you an opportunity to make your point and for the audience to ask questions.
• In this column we will acquaint the reader with some available videos, classified by age group of the intended audience, as well as how to obtain copies. For this issue we will stick to videos for grade-schoolers.

Elephants Never Forget is a short (7-minute) animated safety video designed for children with limited attention spans and therefore too rudimentary to be interesting to older children. ($7.99 from Ride Safe, Inc.; $7.95 from League of American Bicyclists.)

Otto the Auto - Series F is an animated video in three segments: Bicycle Border Patrol, Dream Bike, and Bikes Go With the Flow. The content and message of this video are very good for young children, with catchy, easy-to-remember song lyrics. However, since the film was made in 1981, the cartoon cycling characters do not all wear helmets. ($30 from AAA; also available for loan free of charge.)

Otto the Auto - Series H is an up-dated 1994 video in four segments: Basic Riding Rules, Picking the Right Bike, Fitting Your Helmet, and Drive Your Bike Like a Car. This film is meant for a broader age range (through age 12) and bicyclists are wearing helmets. However, some of the messages for very young children contained in the original Otto the Auto series are not included in this video. The words deliver the right messages but actions do not always seem to conform. If you do use this video, stop it to discuss the action. ($40 from AAA; also available for loan free of charge.)

Third Through Sixth Grade

Bicycle Safety Camp delivers important safety tips for grade school children of all ages by addressing both sidewalk and street riding. Set to rap music, the video uses youth stereotypes who are sent to summer camp to learn bicycle safety. It covers important material and the "rap" should be appealing. ($9.99 from Ride Safe; $11.95 from the League.)

Watch Out for the Other Guy is a 19-minute video produced by McDonald's Corporation which is devoted half to bicycle safety and half to water safety. The bike safety message is slightly heavy-handed, but makes a point kids need to learn and has a catchy tune. (Available from McDonald's, 1-800-762-7436.

Sixth Through Eighth Grade

Get the Big Picture is a fast-paced 8-minute video which stresses visual skills needed to ride a bicycle safely. It provides tips for riding near parked cars, through intersections and making left turns. It appeals to kids through a driving analogy, making many good points in a short time. The main character's poor helmet fit can be used to open discussion on correct helmet fit. ($30 from AAA; also available for loan.)

Other Videos

ADVOKIDS - Kids Advocating Change: the Passage of the Nation's First Bicycle Helmet Law" focuses on Maryland school students who responded to a fatal bicycle accident by organizing support for bicycle helmet use. ($35 from AAA; available for loan.)

Before the Fall is a 20-minute video which shows parents the importance of wearing bicycle helmets. ($14.99 from Ride Safe; on loan from AAA.)

The Ride Safe Way to Fit a Bicycle Helmet demonstrates how to size, fit and wear a helmet. Good for teachers, bike shops or others helping first-time helmet owners to secure a proper fit. Also good for the wearer to understand how to wear the helmet so it will protect his/her head! ($14.99 from Ride Safe; $11.95 from the League.)

In addition to the videos described, there are others which are available for sale or rent at considerably higher prices than those described. There may be other good inexpensive ones we have missed -- if you know of them please let us know! (We know this list is just a start!)

AAA Chicago Motor Club Purchases,

call 1-800-305-SAFE or write: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 1440 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20005.

AAA Chicago Motor Club Loans,

phone Barbara Hennessey at the Greater Chicago Safety Council, 312-372-9756. Loans are free except for the cost of return postage. Reserve ahead as there may be limited availability.

League of American Bicyclists,

call (800) 288-BIKE; with questions, call Scott Muchow at 410 539-3399.

Ride Safe, Inc.,

call 1-800-285-RIDE, fax 708-393-4905 or write 30W260 Butterfield Rd, P.O. Box 888, Warrenville, IL 60555.