by William Addison

Created on: January 17, 2011

Cycling has a lot to offer families in terms of a healthy, safe and fitness oriented pastime.  As an avid cyclist, I have made sure that my wife and children always have access to bicycles and we have strategically moved to an area where our bikes can be used for many activities.  This may be one of the most important factors in getting your kids to ride their bikes more.  There are other things you can do though and for advice on this topic I consulted with an expert in this area, my 9-year-old daughter.

My daughters have been riding their bikes (without training wheels) since the age of about 7.  Once the training wheels came off, their worlds expanded as they got stronger and were able to cover more territory.  That being said, good bike handling skills are of key importance because if a child has confidence, they will want to ride more and will be better equipped to really enjoy the cycling experience.

Another factor in getting your kids to ride more is make sure they have the appropriate bike.  Toy stores and even bike shops tend to lean towards off road bicycles with heavy front forks and knobby tires.  These bikes can be great for off-pavement riding but a lighter bike with smoother tires may get them to actually go somewhere with you on their bike and put some miles behind them.  When we upgraded my 9 year-old daughter's bicycle last summer, she wanted to ride all the time, even in the rain.

We learned that another very effective way to get our bikes moving was to plan our errand trips by bike.  Do you have to run to the drug store?  Grab a backpack and your child and ride there.  This works for libraries, hardware stores and grocery stores.  Consider riding your bikes to a friend's house or soccer practice instead of becoming the family taxi service.

For those who live close enough, it is very beneficial to ride a bike to school for many students.  If your schedule allows, ride with your child to school and be there on your bike at the end of the day when school lets out.  As the child gets older and more confident, they will be able to head out on their own making every day their own little adventure.

Cycling breeds an independent spirit into a child that few other activities can bring.  Add to this the tremendous physical benefits and it is easy to see why cycling is one of the best activities to share with your child.

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