Of course, on the one hand, cycling may provide you with some time away from the children, giving you the opportunity to refresh your mental and physical resources. But, no, that’s not something we want to do, is it?
By engaging in some enjoyable, quality time together as a family, our goal is to close the generational gap and develop a deeper relationship with each of our children. Right?
So how are we going to get our kids onto two wheels, so that they look forward to cycling with their parents?
Benefits of Biking With Family
To begin, most children like riding bicycles since it enables them to explore their environment in an unrestricted manner while also giving them a sense of independence. If you choose a destination for cycling where your children will have fun, you will be well on your way to a successful outing. As a family, you get some exercise together, you experience the surroundings together, and you find out about things in real-time that you can discuss and speak about together while you are riding together. There is no question that participating in an activity together as a family is the most effective approach to strengthening bonds.
How Do I Get My Child to Cycle?
It is highly recommended that you begin teaching your children at a young age. Get yourself a kid’s rear seat or a tow trailer since your children are likely to become non-pedaling passengers well before they reach the age of five. A child trailer has a bigger carrying capacity than a seat, which means that it may accommodate two children, in addition to toys, diapers, and other necessities. Additionally, you will discover that it provides improved protection from the elements (such as the sun, rain, and insects), and that it makes the control of the bike simpler.
In addition, bike trailers provide a higher level of protection than toddler seats do since they are more visible to drivers on the road. As a result, other motorists are more likely to give you more space. The trailer has a roll cage to protect you in the event that you fall off of your bike, and it often folds up into a compact size so that it can be transported more easily.
The InStep Sierra Double Bicycle Trailer has received many positive reviews and is a product that you should look into purchasing.
However, towing a tow trailer for a child is a more strenuous activity. Because the bike experiences greater resistance as a result of the additional weight, the rider has to have a lower bottom gear and their brakes must be in excellent working shape in order to stop the bike while going downhill.
The cost of kid’s seats is naturally lower, and they are more convenient to bike with. Before you get used to the new way your bike handles, it is recommended that you ride it with a bag of potatoes on board so that you can get a feel for the difference in the way it rides. The majority of child seats may be used by children as young as nine months (when they reach the sitting-up stage) and as old as three and a half to four years. Remember to acquire the habit of dismounting your bicycle by raising your front leg over the top tube rather than slinging your back leg over your saddle behind you. If you do the latter, you’ll wind up delivering your tiny passenger an unwelcome kick in the back of the leg!
The PTI Schwinn Deluxe Child Carrier is a child’s seat that has received positive reviews and is a good bargain overall.
Trailer bicycles are able to go almost everywhere, they help your child get used to pedaling, and they are always able to keep up with the group.
The WeeRide Co-Pilot Bike Trailer is a well-liked choice for a bike trailer.
- Bicycles Designed for Children
Children often have the ability to ride a trailer bike for a dozen miles by the age of six. The majority of children express a strong desire to have their own bicycles by the time they are 9 or 10 years old. They report that riding their bikes under their own power offers them a sense of freedom and accomplishment. Choosing the right bike is often the issue that arises.
The majority of bicycles designed for children have inadequate specifications and weigh excessively; 33 pounds is a typical figure, which is often equal to around half of the child’s total body weight. A bike that is less burdensome to ride will provide your kid with a greater sense of satisfaction during bike rides and enable them to cover a greater distance. Aim for a weight of 28 pounds or even less for bikes with 20- to 24-inch wheels, particularly when the bikes will be used off-road.
Never give in to the temptation of buying your children a bicycle that they can “grow into.” Riding a bicycle that is too big for you is going to be challenging. Bikes with wheels measuring between 14 and 16 inches are suitable for most age groups. 4 to 6, 20-inch wheels are appropriate for children aged 5 to 10, and 24-inch wheels are appropriate for children aged 8 to 12 years old. Growing space may be increased using a seat tube that is extra long and a riser for the steerer stem. Children often prefer a seat height that is lower than the recommended maximum, and they should be able to stand over the bike while still being able to put a foot down while sitting. Keep in mind that even children with little hands and fingers should be able to reach the brakes.
The total number of gears may be a status symbol among children, despite the fact that having an excessive amount of gears might cause mechanical complications. Beginner bicycles should have a single gear, second-level bicycles should have a hub with three gears, and pre-teen bicycles should have a derailleur with seven or eight gears. The Gripshift feature, which allows riders to shift gears without using a lot of hand muscle, is standard equipment on almost all bicycles designed for children.
Once you begin going, you’ll be able to converse together, and the terrain will most likely be more technically fascinating if it is on a path or trail where there is no traffic. These are the finest conditions for learning how to handle a bicycle.
You can depend on an Allen Premium Bike Rack to transport the bicycles belonging to your family to the trails you like riding on with the least amount of fuss possible.
Tips for the Best Family Bike Trips
- Choose a Safe & Interesting Route
Don’t forget to organize your rides so that you travel to sites that the children will find interesting.
You are free to go anywhere you choose on your bike so long as you have primary control over your child. The risk of an accident is not increased on busy highways, but conversing with other drivers is impossible. As a result, quieter byways are preferable, and off-road trails are particularly beneficial.
Keep clear from busy highways since not only are they more dangerous, but they also make it difficult to communicate with one another. Bike routes are ideal; just remember to bring some food and water to refuel at the several rest areas along the way.
- Check on the Passengers’ Spirits
When traveling for long distances, it is important to constantly check on the passengers’ spirits and provide opportunities for rest as well as refreshments. Adults experience fatigue, however, children “conk out” very immediately and may become irritable and sad, or even fall asleep, very soon.
- Get Accessories for Safety
Your children will fall off, but you should make sure they wear a helmet, riding gloves to avoid scraped hands, tracksuit bottoms, and long sleeves on shirts. Sandals are not as good of an option as sturdy trainers.
- Set Reasonable Expectations
The enjoyment may be increased by including café breaks and locations where jumping can be practiced. Be careful not to put undue pressure on them by setting unreasonable expectations regarding the distances that can be covered. If you plan a route with them riding their own bikes, you should expect to travel at an average speed of no more than five miles per hour while off-road and factor in time for stops.
Keep in mind that having fun is the most important thing, and if nobody is enjoying it, then you must be doing something wrong. This is a fun activity that your children are going to enjoy participating in with you.
😍 These are some top-seller items for Cyclists. Click images & check them out! ✅
🥰 This Road Cycling Scape is comfortable to wear for a long time without numbness or hotspots. The carbon material helps with the forward motion when cycling. If you want performance and comfort, this is the cycling shoes for you! Click the available sizes.
🥰 This Lightweight Cycling Helmet protects your skull with the roll cage that adds extra strength and reduces rotation from angled impacts. It is comfortable to wear and adjust the helmet for a perfect personal fit. The straps have a soft feel and easy adjustment too. Click to see reviews before making your decision.
🥰 This B17 Bike Saddle provides you comfort in a long ride and easy thigh movement. The pores of the vegetable-tanned leather work as natural ventilation, keeping you cool while cycling. Check out their different color options.
🥰 These GatorSkin Bike Tires last long for about two years with great puncture resistance. It is easy to install with not much effort. This product comes with 2 foldable bicycle tires and 2 valve conti-tubes. Check out their different sizes.
🥰 This Cycling Free Aero Race is super comfortable for aerodynamics and WorldTour races with their careful choice of fabrics and other materials. It is soft on the skin and easy to move without any pain during a long ride. The size may feel tight at first but it becomes a comfortable fit once you wear them. Click the reviews to see if you need them too.
🥰 This Pedal Tour Rack stays secure even with heavy belongings on top. The rubberized grips stop the rack from sliding, keeping it stable. You can easily remove and add the rack. Check out the reviews to see what others say about this product.
