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LAST UPDATED 5TH FEBRUARY 2019<\/p>\n
A friend of your child\u2019s, that is. It\u2019s more of an adventure if your child has a chum riding along too. Let\u2019s face it, most kids would rather be out with their mates. Your role is to buy the ice cream and to keep a watchful eye.<\/p>\n
If the kids have a good time on a short ride, they\u2019ll look forward to the next one. If you take them on a 10 mile slog in the rain, they could be put off bikes for life.<\/p>\n
Getting your kids lost doesn\u2019t inspire confidence. Factor in bail-out shortcuts and loo breaks. Avoid very hilly routes, busy roads and difficult junctions. Pro tip: Plan your route in advance in case your roaming technology fails you.<\/p>\n
Small people have a short attention span. Plan refreshment breaks around exciting places such as the local troll bridge. If there are no obvious cafe stops en route, bring your own scran. Kids love picnics, camp fires and barbecues.<\/p>\n
Not only the kids bikes<\/a>, but your own too. Make sure your tyres are pumped up and ready (the correct pressure or PSI is written on the side of the tyre), that the brakes function, and that the gears change. If it\u2019s been several months since the bikes have been used, they could almost definitely do with a chain clean and some fresh lube<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is usually the youngest rider. Enjoy it while it lasts; in a few years\u2019 time, you\u2019ll be struggling to keep up.<\/p>\n Simon, our Newcastle shop manager, pictured with happy cyclists<\/p>\n \u201cMy top tip is bribery \u2013 chocolate, drinks, regular stops, singing, and good craic. Don\u2019t forget inner tubes and waterproofs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStart with small distances with a reward at the end, like a ride to an ice cream shop. Take plenty of water, and if it\u2019s cold don\u2019t forget the buffs and\u00a0gloves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure you have a definite destination for them to head for, like the duck pond or the sweetie shop. It helps if you can offer a reward at either end of the trip, like a play park on the way out and an ice cream at the end of the return journey.\u201d<\/p>\n SHOP\u00a0 KIDS CYCLING CLOTHING <\/a><\/p>\nBONUS TIP: LET THE SLOWEST RIDER SET THE PACE<\/h3>\n
WHAT SOME OF THE BICYCLE COOPERATIVE PARENTS SAY\u2026<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSIMON, NEWCASTLE MANAGER<\/h3>\n
ANDREW, EDINBURGH BRUNTSFIELD MANAGER<\/h3>\n
YVONNE,\u00a0GINGER SQUIRRELS\u00a0LEADER<\/h3>\n
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