Cycling is great exercise and a great way to connect with family. With several cycling-specific trails, beautiful scenery and perfect winter weather, Naples is certainly a good choice for family cycling. What better time to strap on a helmet, grab a water bottle and take to the road than January? You can pedal off the holiday pounds while enjoying family time!
To get started, check your equipment. Until children are 4 or 5, they will most likely be passengers on one of the adult bikes. When you’re deciding between a seat or a trailer, consider that tahe age range for the trailer is from about 8 weeks (with an infant car seat secured inside) to 6 years old. The trailer is more expensive but it will have a much longer life and if you have more than one child, a trailer makes cycling as a family much more doable. The children are safer inside the trailer even if the parent falls because the trailer will most likely remain upright.
For older children, child seats are cheaper than trailers and require less leg power on the part of the adult. Most seats suit children from about one to four years old.
If parents are experienced riders and want to go on long rides with children, a trailer bike may be a good solution. Basically, a trailer bike is half a bike plus a towing arm so the child is under your direct control.
Over the age of 6 or so, children will generally be on their own bike. Be sure the bike is fitted correctly, isn’t too big for their height and is in good condition. Finally, every member of the family should be wearing an approved helmet at all times.
Before setting out on a family ride, read through the Florida state laws to be sure you are meeting the requirements. Go over the laws with your child so they understand their importance. It’s imperative that children understand basics like how to share paths with walkers and what to do at corners and entrances.
FOR MORE INFO:
- City of Naples Bike Lane map: http://g.naplesgov.com/naplesbikelanes/
- Florida Bicycling laws: http://www.naplesgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/26326
For our suggestions on where to ride in Naples, click here.
http://neafamily.com/your-family/community/bicycle-safety-basic-rules-of-the-road/#.Vo1dqDY5kegFor safety rules, click here.