Bicycling is not only a great way to get around but also a fun and healthy activity for families. Riding bikes with your kids can facilitate wonderful bonding moments, promote an active lifestyle, and create long-lasting memories.
However, children are still lacking in some of the motor skills and decision-making abilities that it takes to ensure safety when bicycling. It’s important to have an adult chaperone with your children when they ride, especially young kids. Ensuring the safety of your children while biking is crucial since bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries. Make sure to emphasize safety tips to your children from an early age, to ensure that your family bicycle adventures are safe and fun.
Selecting the Right Bike & Gear
Since children are always growing, it can be challenging to figure out what size bike to get them. Fortunately, almost all bicycles come with some adjustable features such as the seat and handlebars. For kids who are too small to ride on their own, you can get a child bike seat or trailer so they can come along with the family.
Because children aren’t usually concerned about safety, it’s up to the parents to check and maintain their gear. Before a ride, always make sure the tires, brakes, and gears are in working order. Also, make sure that your child’s helmet fits snugly and meets safety standards. It’s also a good idea for young children to wear knee and elbow pads in case of a fall, and wear reflective or brightly colored clothes for good visibility. All of these components combined will make for a safer ride.
Teaching the Basics
Riding a bike is easy once you get the hang of it, but children are often still learning and practicing. First teach your child the fundamental skills they need to ride a bike, such as balancing, steering, and braking. There are lots of resources and videos out there that explain some of the best ways to teach a kid how to ride. For example, you can remove the bike’s pedals and focus on just balancing for a while.
Have your child ride in a safe area where there is little to no risk of cars. You can practice together around the neighborhood and share safety tips before heading to a more populated area.
Rules of the Road
The best place to start biking with your kids is on a trail or designated bike path away from cars. There are plenty of great places to bike around the country without having to be on busy city streets. Local parks and quiet neighborhood streets are great places to practice riding as a family.
If you do plan to bike on roads, however, make sure your child is very aware of the rules and dangers. Remind them to always stay in the designated bike lane if there is one. Knowing various traffic signs and how to navigate intersections is also crucial for their safety.
It’s important to teach your children hand signals, such as how to indicate an upcoming turn. Make sure they know that bicyclists need to obey traffic signals and follow the rules for cars, not pedestrians. It’s also crucial that children know the importance of always wearing a helmet. Set a good example by always wearing one yourself. If you explain some of the dangers of bicycling and the importance of things like being visible to drivers, your children will understand not just what to do, but why.
Supervision and Monitoring
Adult supervision is crucial when children are learning to ride. Make sure that your child knows your family’s rules about riding, such as whether they can cycle alone, where, and when they need to be home. Setting these types of boundaries will establish clear rules for your child, and together you can decide on a safe distance from your location.
If you are riding together, make sure to stay close. Riding directly behind or in front of your child will allow you to monitor their progress. If you are riding in a bigger group, consider having a lead biker. Choose a more experienced cyclist to lead the way for everyone.
Dealing with Common Challenges
There can be many challenges that come with riding a bike, and anyone who plans to ride should be prepared. Weather, for starters, can be unpredictable and unsafe. Make sure your child knows what to do if it starts raining, such as steering clear of puddles on unknown roads.
They should also be prepared for how to handle an emergency like a bicycle accident. Whether it’s a crash between two bikes or a car and a bike, it’s important to make your child aware of the dangers of vehicles colliding. Prepare your child by explaining a variety of possible solutions in advance, in addition to safety tips to avoid these situations.
For example, in case your child gets separated while your family is out riding, make sure they have a way to contact you or at least make sure they know your name and phone number. You should also have a first-aid with you when bicycling, in case of an injury. Explain potential situations to your child such as a flat tire or getting lost, and how they would navigate the challenge. It’s ideal to pick a specific meeting location whenever you go out riding, in case you get separated.
Happy Cycling
In addition to teaching your children about bicycle safety, you can also provide them with outside resources. There are plenty of online videos and educational programs for advanced bike safety knowledge. The best thing you can do as a parent is to lead by example and follow safety rules at all times. Children learn from watching.
Remember, the more knowledge your children have, the better. Teach them about hand signals, what to do with a flat tire, why it’s important to be visible, and more. One of the most important things you can teach them is to always wear a helmet. You can prioritize safety while still making biking a fun activity for the whole family.
