Bicycling with your kids is a great way to encourage exercise, reduce pollution, and enjoy time together as a family. While you can find recommendations on bikes for men anywhere, finding advice for family riding is more difficult. Here are a few considerations to make before starting your two-wheeled adventure:
When To Start
If you love biking, you want to share it with your children as early as possible. Every family is different, so it can be difficult to provide one size fits all recommendations. For the youngest members of your group, the generally accepted age for riding in a baby seat is 12 months.
Balance bikes should be reserved for when they reach 18-24 months old, depending on height and coordination. Make sure they’re appropriately sized so little feet are able to rest firmly on the ground.
How Far To Go
When they’re old enough to move on to balance bikes or training wheels, remember to minimize the distance traveled. Even short trips around the neighborhood can seem far to little riders.
A combination of physical development and riding experience should inform how far you go with your family. Working up to between five to 10 miles is an achievement to be celebrated for older children. Teens may seem like little adults but remember that still can’t handle the volume of grown riders.
What To Bring
Water and snacks are a must for any excursion, so consider baskets, backpacks, and saddlebags for your provisions. If you thought getting ready for school was hard, wait until you add extra equipment. Prevent morning rides from becoming afternoon adventures by having all your riding gear ready to go.
What To Ride
Sometimes it’s not just the younger riders having trouble on two wheels. You may never forget how to ride a bike, but your skills will definitely rust over time. Adults can get help by choosing from among the best beach bikes on the market. These cruiser-style models are more comfortable and simpler to ride than road bicycles.
How To Help Your Youngest Travelers
Co-riding is an effective way to bring the kids along without the need for extra bikes. Baby seats strap directly onto the back of your bike safely and securely when they’re too young to ride by themselves.
Tandem systems for older kids are an excellent option for longer or more difficult trips. The Weeride Co-Pilot, for instance, looks like a smaller bike that attaches to the adult’s bicycle. It even includes a set of pedals that your child can crank forward, backward, or not at all. You might even feel a boost on your next uphill climb when your kid pedals with you.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with a lengthy excursion for your first family outing. Staying close to home is a fun activity that helps you gain experience for future journeys. If you need some wheels of your own, the best beach cruiser bikes for women and men are available for inexpensive prices online. Shop for bikes now and start planning the beginning of your family biking expeditions.
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