Top Tips for Cycling with Kids

During lockdown, our youngest has finally got going on her bike. Once she got her confidence we enjoyed numerous family bike rides. Here are some tips to ensure a safe Family bike ride

When deciding where to ride:

• Choose a short route, you do not want to make cycling into a chore for the kids, start short and extend to keep them engaged. There is nothing worse than getting halfway and the kids deciding they have had enough. We started tracking our routes on my hone and aiming to add an extra 1/2km to each ride.
• Children’s bikes are normally heavy and so opt for flatter routes if possible and, in the case of hills or any other obstacles or hazards, consider getting off and walking. You don’t want a child building up too much speed on a downhill and losing control. Not only could they be injured but it may knock their confidence.
• There’s no legal age limit for children cycling on the road so it is down to your decision. Consider your children’s cycling skills, maturity and awareness of possible hazards. If you are unsure about your children’s cycling skill level, try some rides in a traffic-free environment first to determine whether you feel they’d be safe on the road.
• Children under 10 years old are able to cycle on the pavement but this does not mean they have to.
• If you do opt for a road-route try to pick a route that avoids busy roads and tricky junctions.

 

Pre-ride checks:

• Dress for the weather but always wear bright coloured clothing and use lights and reflectors so you are clearly visible.
• Make sure that all the bikes are well maintained and safe to ride. Ensure all bikes are roadworthy and, if you have any doubts, contact your local bike shop. We are very lucky in Wharfedale & Craven to have some great options for places to ask.
• Adjust the saddle height so that the child’s knee is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal turn and so that they can easily put one foot to the ground when they have stopped. Once the saddle is at the correct height, check that the child can comfortably reach the handlebars and operate the brakes and gears.
• If your child has a new bike or has not ridden for a while ensure they are comfortable and confident on the bike and with using the brakes and gears before you head out.
• Check helmets are fitted properly and that all shoelaces are tied so as not to become tangled in the chains or pedals. We find with our little girl a low ponytail is best with a helmet, anything higher affects the fit and her hair blows in her face if it is not tied up.
• If you are road-riding ensure your child knows the correct turning signals. You will usually be the following rider so you will be responsible for checking over your shoulder and signalling but, as long as your child has the bike handling skills to signal and look behind, you should encourage them to look and signal too. My little boy loves leading the way and being in charge of signalling.
• If you are riding on a road ensure your children know who rides where1 adult with 1 child – the adult should ride behind the child about a bike length behind. The child should be positioned towards the left-hand side of the road, about 50cm from the gutter. The adult should ride slightly further out to provide a bit of a buffer to passing traffic and, if necessary, should move out further to “take the lane”.

  It’s also perfectly acceptable, and legal, to ride side by side with the adult on the outside. Younger less experienced cyclists might find this more reassuring and, as a pair, you’ll be more visible to other road users.

  2 Adults, 1 child – ride with the child in the middle following the adult ahead. Again the adult bringing up the rear can ride more to the right to prevent traffic passing too close to the child.

  1 Adult, 2+ children – either let the more experienced child lead or have them follow so that the adult can pay fuller attention to the less experienced cyclist.

• Always bring refreshments and snacks!

We found this website really helpful before setting off on our first trip: HSBC UK Ready Set Ride.

Enjoy your safe Family bike rides! You can find some local routes here