How We Got Our Kid Comfortable On A Bike

Bikes are important to us for a handful of reasons, mostly based in adventure. We chase adrenaline on single track and I have been on multiple bikepacking trips. But also, bikes are a really handy way to get around. Many people commute to work on bikes and bikes are simply fun to frolic around on. All this to say, it was important to us that our now-two-year-old got comfortable with bikes early on. Here is how we casually encouraged it…

These are a few ways we kept bikes in our toddlers life without forcing her onto one…

We started really young...

…hehe, I’m about 8.5 months pregnant here and going a bit stir crazy with the muddy spring trails.

But, seriously, we did start her young...

…we used an old school Chariot trailer to get our daughter out on the trails as soon as she was cleared for the helmet and upright solo sitting.

Don't just bike...

…with the Chariot I did a lot of running and hiking with her. It got us outside and it got her comfortable with the bouncier motion of the trailer.

Always pack snacks...

…for everyone involved, but mostly for the tiny human. Snacks are a great distraction in the trailer and a good excuse to stop.

Don't keep a strict schedule...

…for time or distance. Our bike adventures are almost always lackadaisical and lead by what the tiny human needs vs what we want in the moment.

Ride to a fun destination...

…like the library or the playground. This makes the process of sitting in the trailer more fun. Plus, the ride home from the library involves new books!

Make required gear fun...

…we call her helmet a “safety hat” and since she loves hats it helps keep it on her head. Sunglasses are still a work in progress.

Bring the whole family...

…because having one parent up front keeps the kid distracted and then you can keep each other company [and sane].

If you can, get them up front...

…we recently acquired a used Mac Ride and paired it with a Kids Ride Shotgun set of handlebars so our daughter can ride up front. She loves it.

She isn’t too keen on riding her own bike just yet but, honestly, it’s a lot quicker to have her riding on the toddler seat with us. We are all enjoying being out on the bikes whether it is on single track or the rec path. I have found the Chariot [and now Mac Ride] to be a good balance between a hiking adventure and a car ride. I think we all find a little extra pleasure in having the commute be part of the adventure itself.