Tips For Buying The Right Bicycle For Your Kid

As parents, we all get caught up with the idea of teaching our kids things we used to do when we were their age. We want them to experience the sheer fun of doing things the conventional way like climbing trees, trekking, hiking, planting in our backyard, flying a kite, camping, fishing, roller skating, ice skating on the frozen pond nearby, and riding the bike.

We had so much fun doing things differently in our time. There was no complex technology to rub us off our playtime. We actually had to do things manually using our physical prowess as kids that we thought we never had. It was just simple fun that we all enjoyed.

Amongst the many activities we had during our childhood years, riding the bike is one of the most popular one. It was endless hours of riding in the village with friends, visiting cool places in the neighbourhood, or simply using the bike as a means of transportation (and a cheap one at that!) to get to school. Now, as a parent, I have also thought about teaching my kid how to ride a bike. It’s just not fun to know how to use the bike when you can ride it with such gusto! However, before jumping to a real bike and letting our kids ride it without proper knowledge and skills, lest, we are introducing our kids to biking failures and even accidents.

There are things to consider and remember before we get too excited with our plans to have tandem biking with our little ones for fun, adventure and good health. There are factors to note of and check to see if our kids are really ready for the big world of biking or we have to wait a while and see how it goes.

Here are simple tips to follow to ensure you are buying the right bicycle for your kids.

Quality of the bicycle

We tend to shortchange our family when it comes to buying them things. We always look for the easy way out by purchasing the cheapest one we can find while compromising the quality and safety aspects of the product. It is important to note that high-quality bikes with materials that are produced with great craftsmanship and care will usually command for a higher price than other bicycles that are sold cheaply. Choose quality over cost while making sure that you have read reviews from other consumers about the same brand of bicycle and how durable the materials are which can last for many years.

Safety features (including gears and brakes)

A safe and sturdy bike must have its tire air gauge, gears, brakes, lights, horns, padded seat, and pedals all in superb working condition. They must be checked, and tested, if possible to ensure that they are roadworthy.

If you plan to buy your young child a bike, you may opt to purchase one that has a balance wheel attached at the back of the wheel for balancing. 

Photo credit: dreamstine.com

Will you let your child ride his or her bike on certain terrains? If so, make sure that the shift gears are not very complex for young children to use and understand. Sometimes, it is best to stick with single speed bikes for safety reasons until your kids are a bit older to handle bikes with various shift gears and speed.

As for the brakes, there are 2 types of brakes, the coaster brake (the one that brakes at the back of the wheel when the bike is pedalled backwards) and the handle brake. Smaller kids do not have firm grip to manage a handle brake so most small bikes have coaster brakes instead. If your kid can manage to firmly grip the handle brake then it is also a wise idea to have a handle brake installed.

Size

Is your child going to be stretched while reaching for the handlebars or his or her legs will have to try reaching for the pedals in order to ride the bike? If that is the case, then it is noteworthy to select the right bicycle size for your kid’s height and reach. Kids around 4-7 years old can benefit from a small bicycle with adjustable seats, handlebars, and cranks.

Photo credit: dreamstine.com

If they are between 2-3 years old, it will be best to let them enjoy a tricycle until they move on to a more challenging bike.

Older children can ride the normal bike as long as they are still comfortable reaching for the ground when they pedal and not exerting much effort to reach for the handlebars.

Accessories

No matter what age your child is, riding a bike is an exciting thing. However, make sure you have the proper accessories your child will need when riding the bike. Consider buying these accessories for a safer ride:

Photo credit: dreamstine.com

• Helmet

• Elbow and kneepads

• LED lights to attach to the bike

• Reflectorized stickers on the bike

• Air pump

• Kids sunglasses

Benefits Of Installing Bike Stands Near Train Stations

Many cosmopolitan cities in the world have train system that takes everyone from one point of the city to the other in a jiffy without the hassle of driving a car, getting stuck at traffic and contributing to the unnecessary pollution of driving.

A daily bike commute to the train station is a common activity of many people, whether students or workers, living in the city and suburb. A bike is usually the cheapest and the best way to reach the train station in time to catch the train for the commuter's next destination.

It is beneficial for cities to install bike stands near the train stations to accommodate commuters who prefer to reach the train station using bikes. Below are good reasons why local authorities and land developers must install bike stands near train stations:

Less traffic congestion
One less car on the street and multiply that to a hundred more will be a significant reduction on traffic congestion. Thoroughfares will be less congested as more people with bike will be encouraged to use the trains if they see bike stands or bike parks installed near the train stations.

Photo credit: lcc.org.uk

Less pollution
With lesser vehicular smoke emissions, there will be less pollution in the environment. Hence, it is essential for any metropolitan and even suburban areas to consider having bike stands near train stations and even establishments and schools to keep the city clean and green.


Not space-consuming
A bike park with bike stands will not take up so much as space as much as a car parking lot or building. A normal 6-bike stand can occupy around 34 inches of plot only.

Photo credit: yahoo image

Improves health and wellness by encouraging exercise using bikes
Using a bike can burn more calories than driving. It helps rev up your metabolism while improving your cardio and overall well being.


Easy to maintain
A bike park with bike stands is easier to maintain than a spacious car park because of the little space it takes to be cleaned, monitored and maintained.


Cheaper installation costs
A simple bike stand that can hold 6 bikes (3 for each side) costs approximately between $70-$100 only than building a car park with roofs. A bike park will also need overhead covers and cemented flooring but materials for these are lesser compared to the number of materials to be used for car parks.


I have been around many cosmopolitan cities in the world and I have noticed how plenty of commuters are using the bike stands and bike parks near the train stations to park their bikes and proceed using the trains. My recent trip to Tokyo, Japan also highlighted how well accepted by the populace the bike stands near the train stations. They even have exclusive bike path around the city for bikers. I saw plenty of men and women in their business suits, traveling by bike, parking their bikes at the bike park just adjacent to the subway station. As a matter of fact, I have watched from Danny Choo's website about underground electronic bike racks around Japan. I wanted to see one. Unfortunately, I did not go to Shinagawa Station to see the nearby Eco Cycle. I saw the usual bike racks near Maihama Station in Urayasu area which is really packed.

It is important for a city to encompass this kind of parking space for bike commuters. Not only does it help in keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum, it also helps in saving gas, improves health and well-being and decongests road traffic.

I Want A Bike

Christmas is coming not too soon but I know what to ask my husband - a bicycle. It is a simple wish and I don't need the fancy one. I just miss the thrill of riding a bike and going to nearby places and getting fit.

I have been insinuating this "future gift" by asking my hubby to check out bike rack for suvs and probably have one installed in our vehicle. He asked why and I simply said, because it looked good. I just realized that was not the smartest response so I just hope he would get the subtle hints.

I am not asking for top-of-the-line bike. I just want a normal bike I can use when I go to the park or to other nearby areas in our place. Besides, Dubai is quite strict with the proper use of bicycles around town, along the streets and even parks. One has to wear proper biking gears and a reflectorized vest. It is mandatory to wear the vest for safety and visibility especially at night time. I am not going to ride at night anyway but having a bike would surely help me get fit.