Biking With Your Kids
Biking with your kids is an enjoyable activity and a perfect opportunity to create family memories. Also, it’s an excellent opportunity to get outside to discover new areas/trails.
But if the thought of riding together as a family makes you worry that you do not have the tools that you need for safety, we have several suggestions and recommendations to get you on the best path.
Why Bike?
Biking is one of the best ways, as a lover of (almost) all activities to keep children outside and healthy. Because learning to ride a bike, is a valuable skill to learn and grow up doing. And it can be a great family activity.
Although most of us recognize that daily exercise can enhance your well-being, there are also other reasons for why a child should learn to ride a bike. Because It creates confidence and encourages children’s freedom, while utilizing coordination skills, balance and agility.
Riding a bicycle not only increases physical activity but also supports the academic and mental well-being of children. Furthermore, as a family, bikes support sustainable travel, decreasing greenhouse dioxide which reduces road pollution.
Fewer emissions while commuting ensures that our cities are greener, safer, and less frustrating to navigate.
How To Select The Correct Bike Set-Up
It might be best if you determined which form of set-up to use for your family before you purchase bikes and start riding. Whether you’ve done a lot of bike riding since having children or have just recently thought about riding as an excellent way to learn and get together, cycling with children is now safer than ever before.
For kids, there are so many good choices – single bikes, bicycle benches, tow-bars, carts, buggies, trailers.
Individual Bikers
Give your child a chance to know how to cycle with the family, whether he or she is mature enough to ride his or her vehicle. The more they practice, the stronger riders they will be.
My son is five and eventually removed his training wheels. Since then, he’s become very proficient and is confident in riding his bike. And while he sometimes falls, he seldom does and he also knows that it is just part of the learning curve. He rides a smart-start bike, a Schwinn Amplify.
Trailers, Tow Bars And Bike Seats
You may pick between a sweep behind the truck, a cycle saddle, a short cycle, or a tow bar for children and babies. Each of these set-ups have both benefits and some drawbacks.
How long these accessories will last you all depends on the child’s maturity, dimensions, and behavior. Tow bars are suitable for larger children, but they do not fit with small children.
Fully locked, next to the parent, and sometimes sleeping in the seat, bicycle seats are perfect for your little ones. It’s good to have them near you so that you can keep a closer eye on them.
However, be aware that some of these seats do not offer children much visibility. Also, for visibility for others, you should consider upgrading your taillight. You can learn more about an effective bike tail light here.
Always Wear Your Helmet
Security is a concern while biking with babies, so make sure everyone has a helmet (even in trailers or seats) when riding a bike. Helmets should go over their head snugly. And remember, your children are still growing so make sure that every time you ride, make sue the accessories fit correctly first.
Pick The Perfect Location
Pick the best spot to enjoy the family ride. You and the kids will have a blast on the correct trail or cycle path for an exciting and amazing trip. Consider choosing a place away from traffic to offer peace and tranquility as well as safety.
New young riders can be a bit unpredictable, so it’s good to realize that even if they lose balance, they won’t swerve in front of a vehicle. Most parks are clear of cars and automobiles within cycle paths.
Get A Destination/ Target In Mind
Children will be more likely to complete a long ride and maintain focus if there is a destination, so pick a path with a goal. It can be a playground, an ice cream store, a bar, a picnic place, or a landmark.
Our beloved bike path leads us straight to a tiny stream where we can rest, play, and throw rocks for awhile.
Keep Older Children Amid Adults
The best option for kids is to place them between 2 adults while cycling. Then there’s a person covering them from both sides. That way your kids stay on the correct path, and avoid get too far ahead of you. And with a person in the rear, you don’t have any fall backs.
Be Prepared
It helps to always carefully to prepare your children for the environment and climate, in addition to assuring that their bikes have been propperly cared for and are in working order.
So, ensure that they wear appropriate shoes so they don’t get blisters if it is warm. Feed them before the ride so that they are fueled up and energized. And make sure that they stay hydrated.
Like for every outdoor experience, it’s half the struggle to get packed. Biking trips are no different; however, the equipment and resources may vary a little from a typical ride.
Bottom Line
Reconnect with family and nature and enhance your children’s quality of life by involving your children in outdoor activities.
Because when you cycle up and down your neighborhood’s streets, ride through a park, or go for ice cream, a family bike ride is a beautiful, engaging way to interact with one another and to see the neighborhood from a different point of view.