Wheeling Through The Years
Cycling - it’s a great way to promote lifelong fitness for the whole family
Cycling with your family is an adventure you’ll remember forever… just like you never forget how to ride a bike. Whether it’s across your driveway or along a bike path, spring brings cycling freedom. As your children learn to ride, you become the “seasoned” coach, making sure their equipment fits properly, works well and that your young cyclist develops the skills needed to enjoy his or her new freedom.
That learning process starts with their first tricycle. These three-wheeled, kid-mobiles are a great way to develop pedal power, turning skills and co-ordination. This is also the time for you to start explaining safety signs and rudimentary signalling to your young riders and for them to practice basic rules of the road. Driveways and playgrounds are ideal places for practicing at this stage.
A properly fitted, (Canadian Standards Association) CSA-approved bike helmet is essential when starting out. That applies to tricycle riders as well. By starting early, putting emphasis on safety and responsibility, your child will grow up with good riding habits. And, it really helps when parents practice what they preach by wearing their helmets and obeying traffic rules.
The jump to two-wheeled freedom can be tricky and it’s best started with training wheels as helpers. Training wheels (adjustable, mini-stabilizing wheels that attach to the forks of the rear wheel) will help initially, but you and your child should be prepared for the inevitable occasional bump and tumble. This transition bike should have coaster brakes (applied by pedaling backwards) rather than hand brakes. On some models of bikes both braking systems work together, offering your child the stability of coaster brakes while introducing hand levers. Also, single-gear bikes are better for learning on as they’re much less complicated and easier to ride.
A few other points to keep in mind:
• Hills and potholes just tempt fate so try to keep the runway level.
• Short, positive riding sessions will keep morale up.
• Encourage your junior riders to keep their eyes up to avoid oversteering and losing their balance.
• Gloves, knee and elbow pads at this stage will help avoid road rashes and scrapes which can be discouraging.
• Check that shoelaces and loose clothing are securely fastened and not dangling… and never ride in bare feet.
• Most importantly, kids under nine should be supervised at all times while riding their bikes.
The Canadian Cycling Association is an excellent resource for those beginner bikers and parents who act as cycling coaches. The C.C.A. also runs community courses called “CAN-BIKE” that teach basic cycling safety. You can reach them at: www.canadian-cycling.com
One of the most important considerations when buying a bike is fit. The size of the bike affects a young rider’s ability to steer, pedal and brake. An oversized bike can be dangerous, so don’t buy one that your child can “grow into”. A bicycle fits your child if he or she can stand flat-footed over the bar in front of the seat. To check for proper seat level, steady the bike and ask them to rest their heels on the pedals. Their leg should be almost straight at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Handlebars should be within easy reach from a comfortable cycling position.
While “cool” bike considerations are colour and style, there are other requirements:
• A bike must have a horn or bell.
• All bikes must have a red reflector on the rear of the bike and a white reflector on the front.
• If you’re going to be riding at dusk or at night, a headlight is required. Most bike shops can accessorize your bike with flashing lights, bells and whistles, depending on your budget.
• And, a good lock is also a necessity.
As Curt Harnett, three-time Olympic cycling medalist says, “Biking is about being safe and having fun.”
2600 John Street, Unit 207, Markham, ON L3R 3W3 T: 905.475.5222 F: 905.475.6369
