“Now that we’re parents, it’ll be tough for us to keep cycling.”
Unfortunately, this is what many new moms and dads tell themselves in the first few weeks after a child is born.
Wrong.
This isn’t the end of bike rides; it’s the start of new cycling adventures!
You just need to be well prepared. Planning is key. I’d even say plan every segment of the ride.
Infants and Toddlers
A baby of a few months can join their parents, preferably on less busy bike paths, to avoid collisions. Their car seat can be installed in a trailer pulled by one of the parents’ bikes. Make sure they are well strapped in.
New trailers can be quite expensive. However, you can find many on used item sales websites. It’s possible to find them in good condition because people often don’t have time to ride many times before their child outgrows it. If you’ve decided to go on several outings this summer and in the years to come, it’s worth the investment.
Child Seats
You often see parents on bike paths opting for child seats that attach directly to the bike. There are rules to follow, such as the child’s age, size, position, and the installation of the seat itself.
For example, the child must wear a helmet. It must be well fitted to their head, like the seatbelts. Their back should be straight and their shoulders supported. Their feet should rest on the footrest, and their head should be at the height of the headrest.
Children often sleep during the ride. It’s not uncommon to see several slumbering with their necks bent. For long rides, it’s better to place them in a trailer for more comfort.
Speaking of naps, since the end of the ride doesn’t always coincide with the child waking up, you need to plan something to keep them occupied. You might think that cereals to eat while riding will do the trick. They might get thirsty too.
When Your Child Grows
When the child grows, you’ll want them to ride their own bike. There are devices that allow you to attach the small bicycle to one of the parents’ bikes. These bars offer a hybrid mode for the budding cyclist, who can pedal in alternation with rest periods while being pulled by one of their parents.
Why Shock Absorbers?
The time will come when the child is more independent and can ride on their own on the bike path. In this case, you’ll need to adjust the rides according to their little legs: review distances, plan breaks, and choose less busy bike paths.
The choice of bike remains crucial. The weight should be minimized. Why have shock absorbers and knobby tires if you’re only riding on paved surfaces?
You have to admit that at a certain age, children grow quickly. Their bike quickly becomes too small. Too often, you see young people riding with poorly adjusted bicycles, too small for them. Their pedaling position isn’t optimal.
The trick is to choose bikes that are a little too big for the child. You’ll then need to modify a few components, like a shorter stem, and by moving the seat forward and lowering it so that the bike fits them. Once they’ve grown to a larger size, you can adjust them to make the bike conform to the child.
In such cases, advice from a specialized dealer is always recommended.
In short, riding with a child isn’t an impossible mission. With a little anticipation and the right equipment, it’s even one of the most enriching family adventures.