At Escape Adventures, we believe the future of the biking industry starts with you at home. Listed below are just a few tips that might help you raise the next generation of adventure bikers…
Make Riding a Natural Part of Family Life:
Though it will be about six months to a year before you can start pulling your baby in a trailer you can still include bikes as a part of your family culture (babycenter.com says a baby should be “12 months old” and quotes the American Academy of Pediatrics in stating that the child must be able to “sit up steadily and she needs to have a helmet that fits properly”). They will see you riding, can “help” you clean your bikes, you can read bike-related picture books, and attend bike events like races and festivals. Just having parents who visibly love riding is huge in raising a future biker.
Be a Role Model:
Keep in mind that you are the rider you want your child to become. Though it should go without saying, We’ll say it anyway: wear a helmet, practice courteous trail etiquette, obey the rules of the road, and display a positive attitude. You are your child’s first and best teacher, and they learn by watching.
Make it FUN:
If you truly want your child to love riding, you need to carefully plan age-appropriate rides. If you are patient in the early years, you will have a skilled, enthusiastic riding partner (who will likely outride you one day!) forever.
Make Sure They’re Comfortable:
Bike shorts are worth the cost, even for the littlest riders. Beyond that, make sure that her helmet is adjusted correctly and that you have extra clothes in case of changing weather conditions. Food and drink are fundamental parts of activity with kids. Healthy food is great, but the power of a few M&Ms, homemade cookies (see some of our blog recipes), or stopping for an ice cream cone is amazing. Always know where a bathroom is and teach them how to pee in the woods!
If you make riding a natural part of family life, are a positive role model, provide a decent, well-fitting bike, encourage skills acquisition, and make rides comfortable and FUN, you will likely find yourself with one or more lifelong riding buddies.
Don’t forget that Escape Adventures has TONS of family friendly bike tours and multi-sport adventures that a whole family can enjoy. Just click on the FAMILY TOURS button on our website for more information.
