It is usually between the ages of three to eight that kids learn to ride a bike by themselves. But being a parent, you don't have to wait that long to enjoy a fun yet safe bike ride with your growing toddler. However, with parenting comes many responsibilities and questions that one has to answer while making any decisions.
The most important questions that haunt parents when deciding on how to ride a bike with their toddlers with full-on safety. Here are all the fundamentals and things to keep in mind while riding with your younger ones.
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1. Prepare Your Kids for Biking
It is of utmost significance to prepare your kids for biking by choosing the right kind of bike for the safety of your kids.
1.1 How old can a kid ride a bike with me?
Kids above age 3 are ready to ride bikes. However, kids between 12 months to 4 years who can manage to sit properly with any support and strong cervical vertebra to handle the helmet's weight can ride a bike with all the necessary precautions.
Make note that these babies can only participate in riding certain kinds of bikes that don't require active participation from your toddler's side.
1.2 Choose the right helmet for your kids
Helmets aren't statements of style but of safety. Not only should you buy the right helmet for your child but for yourself too.
For choosing the right kind of helmet for your child, make sure that it fits right in on your child's head without making his/her head tilt backward. Make absolutely sure that the helmet is neither too tight nor not too loose on its head. Once you've fastened the helmet securely around the head, make sure to ask your child if they can see and hear everything clearly.
AKASO K1 Kids Bike Helmet, with CPSC/CE/CPSIA and ASTM safety certifications, are made of hard Polycarbonates(PC) outer shell and soft EPS foam inner layer to keep kids aged from 1 to 8 safe and comfortable while biking. The helmet comes with 14 air vents for ventilation and a quick-drying inner layer for wicking sweat, keeping kids cool and comfortable on sunny days. The helmet uses an adjustable dial to ensure a snug fit on heads of different sizes.
1.3 Proper clothing for kids
Depending upon the weather condition, you can clothe your young child. For summers, light clothing with full coverage will be the best. Also, make sure to apply sunscreen on the face and neck areas to avoid sunburn.
During winters, make sure to put layers on your kid as they tend to get cold. Use a warm cap, socks, and boots to prevent the cold air from entering anywhere.
2. Best ways to Biking with Kids
Here is a list of bikes and attachments that serve different purposes and are appropriate for varying ages. You can choose what will suit you and your child the best while keeping all the safety concerns in mind.
Riding a bike with a kid comes with certain rules and responsibilities that you need to follow as an adult. Keep your pace slower; try avoiding bumps and make stops every few minutes to check the position of your toddler.
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2.1 Child Bike Seat( for kids about ages 1-4)
Most of the child seats have the option to be fitted on the back of your bike by using a very simple attachment system that is almost like a luggage rack. You can choose the kind of child bike seat you would want to attach to your bike. Both front, back, and rear child seat options are available and require the right bike to fit the mount on the cycle frame.
Child seats are your safest and cheapest option that doesn't require much use of legs. It is most suitable for children between 9 months to 4 years with a weight limit of 20 kg.
2.2 Cargo Bikes
Cargo Bikes are the most favorite of families that love to go riding with their multiple kids. They allow you to carry massive loads than a normal standard bike would as they're built with heavy material that will enable you to carry more than one child at a time.
Cargo bikes have different designs depending on the ways you want to carry your kids. From a front bucket to hold infants to a bike seat at the back, you can choose any kind according to your need and comfort.
Longtail Cargo Bikes: It has a protracted rear rack over the back of the bicycle. You can either put in a kids' seat on the frame or make them sit on the rack itself.
Front Loading Cargo Bikes: They have a big box attached in the front of the bike, allowing you to carry one or more kids on the bike. It is a popular choice among families as it is both safe and spacious.
2.3 Tag-Along Bike
As the name suggests, Tag-along bikes are attachment added to the normal adult bikes for the kid/s to ride along with them. These are 'half-bikes' feature a handle, pedals, and frame that helps attach it to the adult bike and a rear tire. You can adjust the seat and grips of the tag-along bike according to the kid's height.
Tag along bike is appropriate for kids who can reach the pedals easily as it requires active participation from their side to ride the bike. Mostly, children between the age of 4 to 8 can ride the tag-along bike. They are best for a quick stroll in the park or to drop off your kid at the school with ease.
2.4 Trailer Cycle
Trailer Cycle (also known as trailer cycle or Half wheeler) is a one-wheeled attachment (sometimes even two) designed to carry children in a similar position as a bicycle rider.
Trailer cycles are the most suitable for kids from four to nine years. These are very cheap and useful to go on bike riding with your kids to a nearby park or playground.
Since the adult rider will be the bike's controller, you can ride it anywhere you like with utmost carefulness and safety. Another advantage of the Trailer cycle is that you can detach them once you reach your destination. It will allow your child to have a free-riding experience around the park.
2.5 Bike Tow Bar
Tow Bar Bikes provides you with an option to attach your child's bike to your own bike with a bar that will allow you to have full control over your kid's bike. The tow bar bikes are suitable for kids from the age of 8 to 15 years and should be used on paved roads only for a smooth riding experience.
These tow bar bikes help you convert your kid's bike into a tag-along from a distance from the adult but allows them to control it. However, unlike tag-along bikes, these enable the kids to ride free when they like during the family outing and rides. If your child gets tired or bored, you can hook them back up to your bike and tow them all the way back home.
2.6 Bike Tow Rope
Another variety of tow bikes is tow ropes that use a rope or cable to connect the adult bike with the child's bike. These tow ropes cannot be used on flat roads or trails as they are designed for towing riders to hilly and sharp trails for short distances. It can be said that the two ropes bikes are majorly bikes for mountaineering.
The tow rope bikes are a bit dangerous for young kids and should only be used with teenagers who have learned to balance and navigate bikes properly.
2.7 Balance Bikes
Have your kids experience riding a bicycle without actually getting into the complications of pedals, gears, and handles. The main task you need to learn while riding is balancing the exact purpose of these balance bikes.
Balance bike's major aim is to teach your child how to balance cycles while in motion, which is the herculean part of learning to ride a bike. However, a great number of other bikes prevent children from learning to balance bikes while riding.
2.8 Independent Cycling
By the time children reach the age of six or above, they are more likely to prefer independent cycling and have their own personal bikes. With independent cycling comes the sense of immense liberty and experience. For children, it becomes an achievement to ride without anyone's help.
To help them achieve that independence, it becomes important to find the most suitable bike for your kid. Make sure to buy a lightweight bike that will make riding effortless and enjoyable for them.
No matter what age your child is, don't forget to teach them all about the safety protocols to follow while riding. From balancing to using brakes, everything should be explained repeatedly to give them a general idea that biking is about fun and responsibility.
This was our quick guide to help you learn all about how to ride a bike with your kids and the best bike to choose for them. Now, what are you waiting for? Go now and plan a perfect family bike riding trip with your kid. Be safe but don't forget to have fun! Go Riding!
