Prep work needed before kids start pedalling solo
Use child trailers or seats to get them comfortable first riding on two wheels
Getting on a bike is a great way to introduce kids to cycling, allow toddlers to discover new things, get some fresh air and learn about exercise.
Although most kids don’t start pedalling until they’re 4 or 5 years old, there are plenty of options for parents to share their love of cycling, even when their kids aren’t old enough to ride their own bike.
The earliest you can start to think about introducing your child to cycling is at one year of age, says Jill Allen of Sweet Pete’s, a bike shop with three locations around the city. This is because children need to have the strength to sit and hold their head up.
Trail along Although an expensive option, child trailers are a great way for parents to cycle with little ones in tow.
Trailers have many advantages over other child transportation systems including a greater carrying capacity — some trailers are made to fit two children and have plenty of room for toys, groceries or other cargo, such as diapers.
Trailers also offer protection from the elements and insects. Some trailers, such as Chariot trailers, which are sold by Sweet Pete’s, are versatile and have accessories that convert into a stroller, making it easy for parents to cycle to an area where they will then run their errands.
“You get a lot of use out of them for multiple purposes,” says Allen. Chariot trailers cost around $700 for a single-child trailer ($800 for two), plus a $90 cycling kit. Allen says the on-board storage is what makes trailers a great option for busy parents.
“With a kid seat, you can’t use panniers on the rear rack and you can’t wear a backpack because it’s in the kids’ face. With a bike trailer, you can load up with whatever you need,” she says.
Sit and ride Child seats are cheaper than trailers and are a great option when the weather is nice.
Front child seats sit between the handlebars and the rider and hold a child up to 30 pounds. While these allow parents to see their child’s face while cycling, Allen says they can be a bit distracting and can change the way that you handle the bike.
Rear child seats tend to be more popular simply because the weight carries best on the rear of the bike. Most rear child seats can hold a child of up to 50 pounds. Child seats can cost as little as $140 and go up to about $300. Sweet Pete’s carries a brand of child seats called Yepp. The rear seat costs around $250 and attaches to the seat tube instead of the bike rack.
“With the rack-mounted kind, every bump that your wheel is hitting is going straight up into the kid’s seat. It’s a bit rough,” says Allen. By attaching to your seat tube, the seat doesn’t get the direct impact from the road and is a bit more comfortable. The transition bike Toddlers 3 years of age and up can have an even more participatory cycling experience with several trailing bike options.
AWee Hoo has a five-point harness in a chair that attaches to the parent’s bike. Kids have to be tall enough to reach the pedals, although they don’t have to do any work to move the bike, and parents can rest assured that they’re safe since they’re strapped in.
Another option is the trail-a-bike. This is like a tandem bike for an adult and child. A bar attaches half a bike to the parent’s bike and is a great way to take kids on a longer-distance ride than they would be able to manage on their own.
For kids who are ready to pedal their own bike but aren’t quite ready to ride independently, a trail gator is a great option. A connecting bar goes from the seat post of the parent’s bike to the handlebars of the child’s bike. The bar can be removed once you’re at the park so the child can ride their own bike solo.
Whichever option you choose, remember the earlier you introduce kids to cycling, the more comfortable they’ll be on a bike and the more likely they’ll be to pick up cycling later on.
“With the rack-mounted kind, every bump that your wheel is hitting is going straight up into the kid’s seat. It’s a bit rough.” JILL ALLEN, OF SWEET PETE’S BIKE SHOP, ON CHILD SEATS