Cycling with children: things you need to know before hitting the road

Bicycles have been recognized as the first vehicle for almost everyone since it was invented more than a century ago. For your kids, riding a bike is their first approach to speed. It is the essential stage to forge the relationship between your kids and the two-wheel, which sometimes can last for a lifetime. However, you cannot let your kids roam alone on their first ride. You have to accompany them until they are ready to take on the road without you.

How to safely cycle with children? First, we will start by educating our children about the correct method of riding a bicycle. After that, kids will learn to obey traffic laws and other regulations applicable to their vehicles to ensure maximum safety. In this article, as a parent, you will learn how to do cycling with children in easy steps from basic to advance.

From a training ground to the road    

The most important step to teach your kids is to let them gain a sense of balance as quickly as possible. To do so, you can start by making your kids learn the sense of balance on the balance bike. Alternatively, if your kids are already on a bike with training wheels, quickly remove training wheels from the bike and encourage them to ride on their own. Parents should stand by their side to protect them from possible severe injuries, and then you can gradually allow the little ones to ride on their own feet. Once they can acquire the basics of pedaling and steering, it will become their skill for a lifetime.

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The situation will become more challenging when you have decided to let your kids cycle on the street, the ambiance which your children will have to look after themselves. To do so, you may want to begin with a quiet road in your neighborhood that has little traffic or a dedicated bike lane. However, the rule of thumb still applies that you must accompany your children while they are on the road.

How far should your kid ride the bike?

The answer to this question depends on your children. If your kids are toddlers, the longest distance should be less than 10 miles. The average speed should be maintained at five mph as the maximum speed.

On the contrary, if your kids are grown-up teenagers, extending the trip to 20 or 30 miles is possible. The average speed is usually kept at 10-15 mph.

Don’t forget to wear a helmet  

The traffic law has mandated that cyclists must wear a helmet while cycling on the road. This rule is the first step toward safe pedaling. Although some children are reluctant to put on a helmet, you have to carefully explain to them that a helmet is the only equipment to protect their heads from severe injuries. Make sure that children wear a helmet every time they are on the bike.

It is advisable to use a helmet that complies with the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission or EN 1080 European Standard approved. The helmet should fit well with the kid’s head, and it must fully cover the forehead. Be sure to fasten the chin strap.

Ride on the bike lane    

As mentioned earlier, the first outing should be done on a dedicated bike lane. Please note that kids should not ride on the playground where other children might be exposed to annoyance or injury. According to traffic law, cyclists must ride on a dedicated bike lane wherever it presents. Otherwise, a fine or penalty may be applied.

Additionally, riding in a bike lane dramatically reduces the risk of accidents, as most vehicles seem to avoid getting close to a bike lane. Therefore, it is good to plan the route so that you can find the best possible road for your kids to ride on their first family cycling. Today searching for an appropriate course for family cycling is made more accessible by using a mobile app like Google Maps to handle it.

Make yourselves visible all the time

Studying local traffic laws and the highway code will help you learn which accessories the bicycle needs to be equipped with. To maximize your safety on the road, you are required to install a yellow headlight at the front and a red reflector on the rear. In addition to lighting equipment, the law mandates that bicycles be equipped with a ringing bell on handlebars, a braking system on wheels, and reflectors on pedals and the wheels’ side. By doing so, you will be able to make yourselves visible to all vehicles on the road. Please note that some kid bikes are not in full compliance with the road safety standard. Thus, as a parent, you must be sure that the kid’s bike is appropriately equipped with the safety equipment required by traffic laws.

Cycling in a single file

Although it is perfectly legal to ride two abreast on the road, it is not recommended to do so with your kids. Unlike adults, kids could easily be distracted by everything around them. All they need to do is to keep their two-wheelers always on the track. On any occasion, kids might want to chat, so they will start riding side-by-side with you, but, unfortunately, it is highly susceptible to a severe accident. To accommodate more safety, Parents need to encourage kids not to ride two abreast on the road even though it allows them to do so.

By maintaining a single file, other vehicles will be able to overtake safely. However, riding two abreast on the road is encouraged when you are riding with less than 10-year-old kids, and children must be on the right side of the adult. According to the highway codes, riding two abreast is strictly prohibited on a narrow or busy road. When cycling in a single file, kids must be riding in front of you to observe their movement and provide assistance or suggestion in case of need. Also, parents can use the conversation with kids to determine how they feel during the trip. If your kid shows the sign of exhaustion, it is the time for a break.

Understand and follow traffic signs

To be able to comply with highway codes, cyclists must observe and obey the traffic sign accordingly as a bicycle is treated as a vehicle on the road. Thus, the same rules and regulations are as applicable to a bike as to other cars. Furthermore, every bicycle must maintain a certain distance from the vehicle to prevent an unexpected collision resulting from abrupt braking.

Generally, the parent should teach their kids to understand essential regulatory signs such as stop signs, give way signs, no vehicles signs, pedestrian zone signs, pedal cycle only signs, one-way signs, traffic merge from right signs, etc.

Respect pedestrian

Always give a pedestrian a priority by stopping at a pedestrian crossing when spotting people who are about to cross the street. Parents should teach their kids this etiquette to realize what to do when approaching the pedestrian crossing. Moreover, be sure to tell your kids not to ride on the sidewalk unless the traffic sign suggests so.

Under normal circumstances, riding on a sidewalk is strictly prohibited, as it is reserved for pedestrians only. Although some areas in the city may tolerate this use, be sure to keep in mind that pedestrians always have a priority. In case of an accident, cyclists are likely to be held accountable for all charges. Therefore, it is not recommended to let your kids cycle on a sidewalk.

Stock up some foods, drinks, and first-aid kit

Cycling a long distance, especially, with children is a very exhausting activity. Thus, be sure to avoid dehydration by frequently drinking plenty of water. Plastic water bottles are recommended for all cyclists, including yourselves.

Additionally, parents may consider bringing along some snacks such as power bars or bananas to boost energy.

Occasionally, the accident seems to be inevitable. Therefore, parents should have a first-aid kit ready for use. The first-aid kit should contain a band-aid, antiseptic cream, wet wipe, and personal medication.

The Bottom Line

Family cycling is one of the best ways to enhance the relationship between parent and their kids. With the real-life experience on the road, your kid will be able to learn a lot from cycling. As they gain more experience on the road and become more comfortable, your kids are likely to develop confidence and a sense of independence, which greatly affects their future characteristics and performance. Therefore, please don’t wait until they ask for cycling, do it now. Connect your kid with the bike, and they will forge their path to success.

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