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Kids First:

Advice for bringing the kids along for the ride.

Welcome friends to the "Kids First" section of Get-Into-Cycling.com. Have you ever wanted to go on a bike ride, but couldn't because you had to baby sit your son or daughter? Or have you ever heard your kids ask if they could come along with you as you headed out the door for your morning ride? As parents we know what kinds of dilemmas you face daily when balancing your bikes rides with parenthood. So here in the "Kids First" section we'll give you a number of suggestions and tips to help you with that balancing act.

"Dad (or Mom) can I come too?"

About one year ago, as I was getting myself and my gear prepared for my usual Sunday bicycle ride with my brothers, I was suddenly stopped by my, then 2 1/2 years old son, who stood in front of me and asked, "Dad can I come too?" As I stood there looking at him I realized, "hey he's got a great point." But then I realized, I did not have the proper equipment to take my son along.

So to make a long story short, after my bicycle ride that day, my wife, my son and I did some shopping for kids bicycle gear. Bicycling is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. So if you are ready, here are some suggestions on how to get-into-cycling with the family and to make your "Kids First" bike adventure a memorable one.

- Go window shopping or go online and check-out what is out there for kids equipment (i.e. trailers, helmet, pads, etc.) Take your time and do some research before you purchase.

- Figure out your budget (don't go out and buy the high-end stuff and then only use it once). Find out what fits your budget but, has descent quality.

- Talk to some people who ride bicycles with their kids or visit a family oriented bicycle shop and ask questions.

- Buy a bicycle that is comfortable and fits you (if you don't have one already. More advice on buying a bike in the "Shoppers Guide" section). By doing so, you can prevent injury.

- When buying or looking for bicycling gear for kids, look for equipment that is safe and has allowance for growth (this will be quite friendly to your pocketbook as well).

- Make sure you practice safety and purchase helmets for your children AND yourself. My brothers and I have seen this too often where the parent has their child wear a helmet but neglects to put one on themselves. Children learn by example and showing them how to be safe now can be a useful skill for the future.

- If your kids are too small to ride with you on the trails, purchasing a bike trailer would be a good choice. There are also other types of equipment like childseats available. However, we don't recommend this type of device, due to the height of the seat from the ground. A bike trailer is usually lower to the ground, are generally "full cage" type designs for increased safety, protects your child from flying debris and the elements and allows for easier maintenance on your bike should you have a mechanical mishap.

- Purchase a good quality children's helmet that has lots of vent holes to prevent your child from being uncomfortable, especially if riding in warm conditions.

Remember, Kids First. Be ready for everything.

Now that you've got the gear, you can now take junior out with you for your morning ride, right? Not so fast there buddy! What if your child gets hungry? Is your child potty trained? If you've ever taken your child on a bike trip longer than 5 miles, you'll know what we're talking about.

Children generally lose interest or get distracted very quickly (depends on your childs age and maturity level). Children also get fatigued by just sitting in the trailer. So here in the "Kids First" section we'll cover a few tips to make your childs bike adventure exactly that.....an adventure. And take the worries out of your ride.

- Bring some snacks and a drink for your child. But be careful and choose snacks that are easy to dissolve so your child doesn't choke if he or she is eating and you hit a pothole. Preferrably, limit the snacking when you are at a rest break. Eating while riding may cause your child to have an upset stomach and possibly vomit. Additionally, avoid giving kids drinks that are high in sugar such as apple juice, especially if riding in hot conditions. This can also make children sick.

- Bring diapers and baby wipes. If you plan on riding past 5 miles with your kids, you should always prepare for little mishaps if your child is not potty trained. Additionally, baby wipes are great for cleaning not only your child, but any accidents that may occur.

- Bring an extra shirt and shorts/pants for your child in case they make a mess on the clothes they have on them.

- Bring a first aid kit.

- Bring some toys that they can play with in the trailer that are not sharp, not too small that they can swallow them and are SOFT. This will hopefully keep them occupied if they should lose interest of the bike ride.

- Take some rest stops to allow your child to stretch his or her muscles and to snack.

- While riding, you can keep your childs interest peaked by pointing out different things or sights on the road. Play some simple trivia games while riding to keep their minds occupied.

- Bring a camera. You'll want to record some of your memories for the future.....especially if it's your "Kids First" ride.

These are just a few simple guidelines to help you plan accordingly when riding with your kids. It is not the answer to every issue that may arise, but we're working on it.

Bicycling is an adventure and it is a great way to spend quality time with the family. We hope that the "Kids First" section was helpful for those of you who want to share your love of riding with your children. Remember, be safe and have a nice ride.

Kids First: Return to Kids Corner Home


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