Planning Your First Family Bike Ride

Riding a bike is a great way to stay in shape, get some exercise, and experience the great outdoors. It’s also a great family activity to partake in with your loved ones. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a novice, planning a family bike ride can be great fun for everyone to spend some quality time together.

Bike selection

 

If the family as a whole doesn’t have bikes for each member, you will naturally need to go out and buy some bikes. You will want to consider the size of the rider as well as their age when selecting the proper bike for them. The best way to do this is to go to a store and see what they have available and try them out. There is no substitute for physically getting on a bike and giving it a go. You could see a cool bike and think it’s perfect for you, only to find out upon testing it that it just doesn’t mesh with you for some reason.

 

For children, you will want to make you don’t get a bike that’s too big for them. A 16 inch bike is right for kids under four feet tall. Have everybody test out bikes prior to buying them. This ensures a safe and comfortable ride for the whole family.

 

Another thing to consider is whether you will be biking mainly on a paved surface or the bare ground. There are different types of bikes for different situations. You don’t want to get a mountain bike if you’re going to be having leisurely rides around the neighborhood.

Safety

 

Safety is paramount in any physical activity. A helmet is recommended for every rider (and even mandated by law in some areas) to prevent head injuries.

 

Other equipment like knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves are also welcome safety measures. Younger children may balk at having to wear safety gear as their friends might think it makes them look uncool, but it’s infinitely better than being injured.

Location of the ride

 

You’ll want to pick a good location for the ride. If the majority of the family is inexperienced, you should look into something simple like merely riding around the neighborhood or a nearby park.

 

If the family has some bona fide riders, consider tackling something more challenging like an intermediate bike path.

Learning to ride

 

It might seem like a no-brainer, but make sure everybody on the ride knows how to ride a bike. This includes being aware of how to use the brakes, turning, and not going too fast.

 

If you’re going to be riding in an area with pedestrians and vehicles, make sure everybody knows who has the right of way when it comes to intersections and the like.

Ending the ride

 

For your first family bike ride, you probably don’t want to push things too far. Have a set time limit for the trip and try not to go too far over it, especially if you have any inexperienced riders. You don’t want anybody getting too tired while out on the ride.

 

You will want to set the pace for the least experienced rider in the family, and hopefully, after the first ride, the next one can be a little longer for a bit more fun.

 

Your first family bike ride should be fun, safe, and an excellent experience for the family. Happy riding!