It's no secret that for adults there's a variety of bicycles available to fit every riding style: mountain bikes, road bikes, cross bikes, comfort bikes and tandems. But what about the youngest family members? One reason biking has become so popular as a family activity is that there's no age requirement. Though riding a two-wheeled bicycle does require some balancing skills, there are now specialized bikes and accessories that allow junior family members to be a part of family bicycling excursions even before they're able to walk. DIY Family Outdoors host John Nickel talks to Ron Kiefel of Wheat Ridge Cyclery about bikes, trailers and carriers that allow youngsters to ride along, about gearing your biking activities to your family's ages and abilities, and about how to select the right size of bike for yourself. Safety alert: No matter what the terrain or the style of riding, and no matter what age, bikers should always wear a bike helmet (figure A) whenever they ride. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 85 percent. Helmets should be lightweight, have good ventilation and fit straight on your head with the rim level from front to back. Ask a specialist at your bike shop to help you select a helmet for proper fit.
Bike Equipment for the "Pre-Cyclist" With some specialized bikes and accessories, family members as young as 1 can be brought along for the ride. - Trailers. With the right equipment, a child can start riding with a parent when he is 1 year old since that's the age at which babies begin to hold their heads up and can wear a helmet. A great option for starting kids out as "passengers" is the bicycle trailer (figure B). These trailers are designed so that they are easy to attach to and pull behind a bicycle, and they have a low center of gravity for stability. They're equipped with safety straps, windscreens and rain shields. Trailer can hold one or two small children and provide them with a comfortable ride. Prices begin around $200 to $250.
- Carriers. A less expensive option is a bike-mounted child carrier (figure C). The child is strapped securely into the carrier and held close behind the rider. Most carriers can safely hold a child up to 40 pounds. Since they are mounted up higher, they create a higher center of gravity than the trailer and require a little extra caution in steering.
- Trailer bikes. For parents who want to let their kids burn some energy while they ride, there's the trailer bike (figure D) -- a "half-bike" attached to an adult bike, which allows the child rider to pedal along. Trailers come in various sizes. A specialist at your bike shop can help you select one with the proper fit for your child. Trailers are generally suitable for kids of 3 to 4 years of age who can sit upright on the seat, reach the pedals and hold onto the handlebars.
- Child's bike. When your child is ready to go it alone, start him out on a small child's bike equipped with training wheels (figure E). This will allow the child to get the feel of steering and pedaling the bike so he'll be better prepared when he reaches the age for riding a standard bicycle.
Proper Bicycle Fit Whether it's for a child or an adult, the most important measurement in determining the right size bike is the stand-over height. The proper frame height is critical to ensure both safety and comfort for the rider. For a road-bike, the stand-over height should allow about two to three inches of clearance over the center bar (figure F). For a mountain bike, clearance may be from two to five inches. The specialist at your bike shop can help you adjust your seat height for optimum comfort. With the seat adjusted properly, your knee should flex at an angle of 35 to 30 degrees at maximum extension of the downstroke while pedaling. If the leg straightens completely on the downstroke, the seat is set too high.
Fitness fact: Whether you opt for the rigorous challenge of trail-biking or just a casual ride around the neighborhood, bicycling is excellent exercise. A leisurely one-hour bike ride burns about 350 calories.
RESOURCES :
BIKE Magazine
Web site: www.bikemag.com
Bicycling magazine
Web site: www.bicyclingmagazine.com
Bell bike helmets
Bell Bicycle Helments
are available from Bell Sports
1924 County Rd., 3000 North
Rantoul, IL 61866-9512
Web site:
www.bellbikehelmets.com
or
www.bellsports.com
Trek bicycles and bike equipment
Trek Bicycle Corp.
801 W. Madison St.
Waterloo, WI 53594
Toll-free: 800-369-8735
Web site: www.trekbikes.com
International Bicycle Fund
The International Bicycle Fund is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and cycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.
Web site: www.ibike.org
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI)
Web site: www.bhsi.org
Wheat Ridge Cyclery
Web site: www.ridewrc.com
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