7 Tips for Encouraging Cycling As A Family

One of the most commonly gifted items for Christmas is a bicycle, especially for children. Whether they want to learn to ride a bike for the first time, they need one for getting around to school or to see friends, or they simply want to enjoy riding it, a bike cna offer a level of freedom for both youngsters and adults who feel alone cannot.

Not only this but gifting someone a bike for Christmas can be a great way to support healthy routines and activities, as cycling is a great sport to help keep you fit. For kids, it can even be a hobby they can turn into a future career: mountain biking, cross-country events, cyclocross, and BMX. They can even train to compete in the Tour de France one day!

If a bike is on your wishlist, on the list of other family members, or you want to take up the sport together as a family in the new year. Read on, because this post is going to look at some ways you can encourage both yourself and your family to get out of their new two-wheels and get out and explore.

Get The Right Bike

And if you already have one, check that it fits ok and that your family has everything they need. Check whether the bike is the right size for them and whether it is comfortable to ride. 

Can they reach the brakes easily and touch the floor if they need to be physically able to turn the pedals and sit correctly on the bike? All of these factors make it more likely that a bike is a good fit for them, and if anything is off, it will put them off riding as it won’t feel good for them and can possibly hurt, not just be uncomfortable.

Buy The Right Accessories

Bikes are great accessories on their own, but the right accessories for cycling can make it easier than ever to get out.

Starting with the basics, you need a helmet to protect you in the event of an accident, collision, or fall. Multi-tools, mini pumps, cycling clothing and seat cushions, waterproofs for Irish in poor weather, lights, reflective equipment, bags, drink holders, and more are all great accessories you can purchase to make cycling easier and more accessible and encourage your family to get out and about.

Start Small

When it comes to family cycling, it’s important to start small. Instead of planning massive bike rides or pushing the kids to be on the bikes 24/7, begin with short, enjoyable rides. This approach allows you to build up to longer cycles and allows your family to enjoy being on their bikes and learn some road skills. It’s about making cycling a fun and manageable part of your family life, not a daunting or overwhelming one. So, be patient, start small, and allow your family to grow into their new cycling routine at their own pace.

Make It An Event

Make family cycling an event they can look forward to. Sure, for children, riding around your local neighbourhoods and unsafe areas is a great way to have fun, or riding to school can give them maximum use of the bike; however, as a family, you need to make cycling an exciting event. Maybe you can load up the car using a VelociRAX to take your bikes across the country for new and fun cycling trails or events. Alternatively, you can participate in local events, take adventure holidays where you need your bike and make them a more significant part of your lifestyle.

Join Clubs

For some people, both kids and adults alike, cycling alone isn’t as fun as it could be, and the same can be said for cycling. Especially those who are a bit nervous about riding in different environments. Joining a cycling club can provide a sense of community and support, making the experience more enjoyable and less intimidating. Many areas of the country have great cycling clubs you can join, and cycle lanes are popping up at great speed in both built-up and rural areas to encourage riders. Riding as a group instead of alone can be a great way to help you get the entire family out and on their bikes instead of them languishing in the shed once their initial fun has worn off.

Get Lessons

Bikability is probably a standard cycling training organisation you have heard of; however, multiple schools around the country offer lessons for kids and adults so you can all learn together and cycle proficiently and safely. If you’re planning on venturing out road cycling at some point or want to equip your kids with the right skills for cycling to school alone, then lessons are a must.

These lessons can teach you a wide range of skills, including how to ride on the road with children, how to approach junctions, what the Highway Code requires of cyclists and motorists sharing the same road, and, most importantly, how to ride correctly.

Get Competitive

If, as a family, you are competitive, then turning cycling into a competition can help you all use them more. There are many cycling challenges you can embark on, and you can make yourself win. You can use smartwatches to track your efforts and even time them to see who is fastest. This can change and evolve as you become more adept at cycling and as your kids get older, but adding some healthy family competition to the mix can encourage everyone to take part, get out and be active on their bikes.

Cycling together as a family can be a great way to get some exercise and fun into everyone’s day and get out of the house to explore. If bikes are at the top of your family list this year or you simply need some inspiration to get everyone out and about together, these tips can be used for maximum encouragement.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.