Family Cycling
Active Travel Hub > Cycling > Cycling Routes
cycling with children
Cycling with kids is a very rewarding experience but it has its challenges! Adaptability is key as kids grow fast and can move from a trailer, to a balance bike and then onto a pedal bike quickly. The Inverness Active Travel Hub will help you to understand the different options for cycling with children and having the confidence to lead them on rides.
Cycle Sprog have some blog posts covering most of the questions you might come across when getting started with carrying children. While the Family Cycling UK Facebook group is a great place to get specific advice from other families experiences.
Velocity offers a range of Cycle Training courses including Family sessions, which aim to give parents the skills and confidence to cycle with their children on the roads.
Cycling UK have a handy infographic alongside an in-depth article on how to transport children by bike.
children on board
With young children, the first step will often be cycling with them on board your own bike. In order to carry additional people, your bike must be properly adapted. There are several options for doing so which fall into two main categories: specially adapted cycles, or add-ons to a normal bikes.
Cargo bikes are an increasingly common choice for family logistics, with varying designs for carrying passengers as well as luggage and cargo. You can learn more about cargo bikes here. For some, attaching a bike seat or using a trailer or tag-along may be a better fit. These allow you to carry your child on your normal bicycle and can easily be removed when not in use. As with many baby and child products, there is a healthy second hand market for these. The local Kidical Mass facebook page is a good place to start finding out about second hand equipment in and around Inverness.
cycling on the road with children
There will come a time when your child will be ready to cycle their own bike on the road. There are many things to factor in when considering whether your child is ready to cycle independently: their awareness, judgement, and reactions to risk; their control of the bike; and the routes and infrastructure available for use.
Ultimately it’s important that both you and your child are comfortable with every aspect of riding in your given environment.
Cycling UK has some good guidance here.
Learning to cycle
At some point, your child will be making the transition from passenger to independent cyclist. Teaching your child to ride is often thought to be a daunting task, but there are simple ways to make this process go smoothly for you and your child. Balance bikes are an excellent tool for teaching children balance and turning in a way that leads naturally into pedal cycles.
This video from Bike Radar is a good starting point for teaching your child to cycle.
