Bike train dos and don’ts

Do

Make sure parents and children have emergency contact information.

Spread the word to make sure the train has a critical mass.

Take a course, like those offered by Can-bike, even a one-day session, to refresh your road-riding skills. Share those skills with the kids.

Pre-ride the route with the members of the bike train when there’s less traffic to build confidence.

Reinforce the message of safe riding. Keep the distance manageable.

Keep things fun. (“After they rode more than 400 km,” Hilland said, “I took them out for lunch on a weekend. The hungry teenagers cost me way more than I expected. And they didn’t gain a pound!”)

Don’t

Get dogmatic about it. If it’s raining and miserable, take the bus.

Cork traffic (block cars so that all riders can get through an intersection).

Ride in door zone of parked cars. Ride faster than the slowest rider. Ride on the sidewalk.