Family Biking

Biking is becoming more and more of a family activity and it is something that kids love to do. If you already have bikes then this activity is free. It is one of the best forms of exercise and a great way to burn off some energy. In addition, it will get the family out into the fresh air for a while. You can ride as part of a vacation or simply plan an outing around town. Biking as a family can be more fun than

you think and much better than riding alone. Parents, if you haven't been on a bike in a while don't fret. Riding a bike is like swimming and once you learn how to do it, you never forget.

Any time you do anything with children it is important to create a game plan. When biking with the family it is important to determine where you are going in advance. Be sure to pick a fun route. It is beneficial to keep rides flat when possible. Remember a small incline for you can feel like a mountain to your child. Short rides at first work best because it will give the kids a sense of accomplishment. Avoid traffic whenever possible. Try to use as many quiet, residential roads, or cycle paths as you can. Park paths and boardwalks at the beach are terrific when traveling with youngsters. Make sure you know the exact distance and the approximate time it will take to complete the excursion. It is important that everyone in the group be able to handle the distance. You will want plenty of roadside attractions so you can stop along the way. Ponds, streams, playgrounds, ice cream stands, and picnic areas are great spots for the kids get take a break.

Selecting Your Child's Bike Size

While standing over the bike's crossbar with both feet flat on the ground your child should clear 1 to 3 inches.

When sitting on the bike seat with both hands on the handlebars you child should be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground.

He/she should be able to get on and off the bike without difficulty.

A comfortable reach of the handlebars is extremely important for gaining proper control of steering. Have your child pretend to play the piano on the handlebars. His/her back should be straight.

He/she should be able to stop the bike using hand brakes without fumbling for the levers.

Children's bike sizes are determined by wheel diameter rather than height and frame size. The table below is a helpful guide to use as a starting point for bike size but is not a substitute for an expert opinion.

Age Child's Inseam Bike Size

2 - 4 years 14 -17 inches 12 inches

4 - 6 years 16 - 20 inches 14 inches

5 - 8 years 18 - 22 inches 16 inches

6 - 9 years 20 - 24 inches 18 inches

7 - 8 years 22 - 25 inches 20 inches

9 and over 24 - 28 inches 24 inches

Adopted www.allstaractivities.com