Teaching kids to bike in cities

3 comments to “Teaching kids to bike in cities”

Richard DeSarra, October 9th, 2008 at 11:19 pm:

• We (h/w) taught our two boys to ride on neighborhood residential urban streets in Rochester, with one adult in front and one of us behind, duck style.

  They followed the lead rider and the trailing adult gave guidance.

  Since we were a car free family as they were growing they had many opportunities to bicycle with us on a daily basis.

  We carried the necessary clothing (cold or rain gear) for them. Sometimes during the winter months, when the roads were free of ice and snow, we take them with us on short trips.

  rdscomm@rochester.rr.com

EML, October 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am:

• Child development experts suggest that kids aren’t ready to ride with car any significant traffic until they’re about 10. Until then their brains aren’t wired up to judge the relative speed of fast-moving vehicles, and their motor reactions aren’t quick enough to get themselves out of harm’s way. They may understand the basic rules of the road, and have reasonable handling skills, but that’s not enough, and it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

chris, October 14th, 2008 at 11:28 am:

• ride behind your son to the left a little. that way you can watch what he’s doing and create a little extra room for him in traffic. the main thing for a cyclist to do in traffic is to follow the rules of the road and keep a steady line. so teach him the rules of the road, and practice riding straight lines.

  if you still dont feel comfortable with him in traffic go on the canal path, some other foot path, or less travelled roads.