Biking to School: Tips from the Coach
By Coach Morgan Hoffman
We love to see kids riding their bikes to school - it is a great way to include exercise in the daily routine, encourage sustainable transportation, and hey, it's fun! Safety is #1 when biking, and riding to school is no exception. We've been coaching young cyclists here at Playtri for over a decade - following are some tips we've learned along the way to help your kiddos have a safer ride.
Make sure their bike is in good condition
Have the bike tuned up once a year and take any recommendations from your local mechanic (click here to see if you have a Playtri store nearby - all locations have great bike mechanics on staff!)
Make sure tires are aired up to the recommended pressure found on the side of the tire at least a couple of times a week (they will lose air over the course of a few days)
Let your child know that they need to tell you if they feel or hear anything different than usual while riding their bike so you can get it checked out quickly if necessary
Helmets are a must
Helmets should be damage free - they are only inspected to be good for one crash/impact
Make sure the helmet fits properly (snug on the head, with room to fit exactly 2 fingers between the chin and strap when buckled)
Bonus points if there is reflective material on your helmet!
Choose brightly colored clothes for visibility
Plan your child's route ahead of time
Do multiple practice rides to ensure they have it down
If possible, ride or walk with your child the first day they are biking to school to make sure they are confident with the route, and also navigating school traffic
Ride with a friend - there's safety in numbers!
Stick to paths and sidewalks whenever possible
If your child has to cross the road, make sure they know to cross at a cross walk and look both ways prior to crossing (we recommend walking the bike to cross in case a quick change in direction or speed is needed)
Teach courtesy when sharing a path - ride in a straight line and always pass on the left when coming from behind, while giving an audible warning (bells are great for this purpose)
Have a plan for when things don't go to plan
What will your child do if they get a flat tire, have an accident, or stray off their planned route? Have an action plan in place!
If your child has a communication device like a cell phone, they should always have their device with them while riding
Happy riding!
Coach Morgan Hoffman is the Head Coach of Playtri, founder of Playtri Youth & Juniors, and a USA Triathlon Level II Short Course Elite certified coach. She has been coaching youth triathletes and cyclists for over 15 years (she also enjoys commuting to work at Playtri on her bicycle!) Learn more about Coach Morgan at www.playtri.com/morgan.