Family bike rides are a fun way to get outdoors and explore. Younger children can sit in child seats or trailers while older children can use pedal power. The great thing about cycling is that you can tailor the activity to the age of the children. Read on for some handy tips.
Choosing a Suitable Route
When planning a bike ride with children, it’s important to choose a route that is appropriate for their age and cycling ability. Look for quiet country roads or traffic-free cycle paths rather than busy main roads. Ideally, the route should avoid steep hills and have places to stop for drinks and snacks along the way. Start with a short distance of 3-5 miles for younger children or inexperienced cyclists. Have an idea of where you can shorten or extend the route if needed on the day.
Getting the Right Bikes
Make sure children have bikes that fit them properly and are in good working order. Young kids may need stabilisers, a child seat or a tag-along/trailer for smaller children who can’t yet ride alone. Older children may feel more comfortable on hybrid bikes rather than heavy mountain bikes. It’s a good idea for everyone to have a bell, reflectors and lights in case the ride goes later than planned. Helmets are essential. If you are fostering with orangegrovefostercare.co.uk, use some of your allowance to buy your foster child a bike helmet that fits correctly.
Safety First
Review the basic rules of the road and cycling safely before setting off e.g. staying single file, looking and signalling before changing direction. Make sure children know what to do at junctions and road crossings. Bright or fluorescent clothing will make the group more visible to other road users.
Building in the Fun Factor
Make the ride fun by building in stops for playgrounds, picnics or ice creams. Let kids set the pace at times. Bring a ball or frisbee so they can run around at pitstops. Have a prize giving ceremony after the ride e.g. a homemade medal. If children become tired, let them rest while you play I-Spy or singing games. Praise effort and participation rather than speed.
Weather Check
Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Sunscreen, hats and plenty of drinking water are essential in hot conditions. Bring waterproofs and extra layers if rain is likely. Strong winds can make cycling difficult for younger children. Be prepared to postpone if the weather is really bad.
Buddy System
Use the buddy system with younger children. Pair a younger child with an older sibling or adult. Buddies keep an eye on each other, stay together when riding, and know to wait at any junctions or stopping points until the group catches up. Swap buddies part way around the route so everyone has a chance to mix.
Try to end on a fun note like freewheeling down a gentle hill or with an ice cream from the local cafe. Celebrate completing the route and focus praise on effort rather than speed. Listen to feedback about the ride and let kids feel involved in planning for the next one. With positive encouragement and a sense of achievement, family bike rides can become a treasured activity.
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