There are many ways cycling can be a family activity with kids of all ages! Grab your helmets and cycle on one of the many Blue Route Trails! Avoid cycling on roads with children or inexperienced cyclers. It’s safer to cycle away from vehicles, especially when building up skills. Choose a route that isn’t too long or advanced for your most inexperienced cycler. Want to refresh your cycling safety knowledge? Check out this post about cycling safety, hand signals, and helmets.
To cycle with young children, trailers and child seats can be installed onto regular bikes or special front-bucket cargo bikes can be purchased. Tag-a-long bikes can be installed onto the back of regular bikes to build confidence for young cyclers.
Types of bikes for families with young children include: 
- Long-tail cargo bike with child seats
- Bicycle with front or rear child seat/trailer/stroller/tag-along attachment
- Front-bucket cargo bike
Don’t forget to make your bike visible! Attach reflective tape and lights to the back of your bike. Hitched gear like bike strollers are lower down than a regular bike. Attaching a bike trailer flag helps with visibility.
Be extra careful and use caution when riding because bikes with buckets or trailers are longer than a typical bike. Weight can be displaced in different areas than you may be used to and you will need to take wide turns. Try practicing on trails away from vehicles to get used to the size and weight.
Ensure all children are wearing helmets and are properly fastened into their seats. Children can be distracting to the adult cycler. If your child needs something or wants a snack, find somewhere to safely pull over, such as at a bench. Eating or trying to readjust something even if you are stopped can still be hazardous if you’re not in a safe location. Move away from traffic and out of the way.
Families with independent cyclers who are young or at a beginner level should always talk about safety before starting to ride. All cycles should be equipped with a bell, at least one light, and reflective tape. Bells should be rung every time you pass another person. Make sure children understand that bells are a safety feature. Try practicing using your bell before you start your ride.
Make sure you’re able to communicate directions or hazards. Learn and use hand signals for turning left, turning right, and stopping. If your child cannot distinguish left and right, try using coloured tape on handlebars to differentiate directions. Directing your child to “Turn purple!” might be easier than “Turn right!” Make sure everyone remains in earshot of one another when cycling.
It is important to properly position yourself in relation to the path and your family members. Adults can cycle slightly to the left, closer to the middle line while children can cycle slightly in front, closer to the outside. If there are multiple adults or experienced cyclers, one can take the lead while one follows behind everyone else. Try different positions to figure out what works best for your family. Everyone has different levels of ability and confidence. Go at your own pace.
Lastly, have fun! A family cycle ride is a great way to get outdoors and spend time with your loved ones. Be safe, wear a helmet, and make good memories.