Options For Kids Who Don't Yet Ride Independently

I've received several inquiries about cycling with kids before they are ready for long rides, but are either too big or too energetic for trailers or box bikes.  We settled on the Follow Me tandem trailer. It allows kids to ride independently for part of the ride, then hook up to an adult's bike when they get tired or need help. We have also found that it can help kids get the feel of riding without training wheels, even if they aren't riding independently yet. It costs a lot to ship it from the UK, but we thought the benefits were worth the extra cost.

Other options we considered were the Trail-Gator and the Weehoo trailer. The Weehoo was eliminated because it MUST be used as a trailer. We are trying to minimize the amount of gear we buy, and we had already invested in an Islabike (more on this decision in another post) for our 5YO. The versatility of using the child's bike with or without the trailer attachment was very attractive, in addition to being convenient and space-saving. In fact, I frequently leave the Follow Me on my bike even when I don't have any kids with me.

The Trail-Gator is more affordable and available at Target, but we were concerned about reviews that said the child's bike tended to lean to one side or the other. It also is incompatible with one of our racks. As you can see, we need our racks:

We have friends who have a Weehoo and love it. One advantage is that your kid's rear will not get sore from a bike seat, so it might be better if you like to take REALLY long rides.

Using a tandem trailer takes a bit of practice. We taught our 5YO not to brake at all, ever, when attached to the adult bike. Then, we implemented a "red light, green light" method to let him know when to pedal harder and when he could put his feet down at a stop. It also helps to say, "Ready, set, green light!" when waiting at a stoplight so he has time to get his feet back on the pedals before we have to go.

One potential drawback is that neither the Trail-Gator nor the Follow Me are compatible with training wheels. So, if your kid is using training wheels, you'll have to remove them or re-orient them each time you use the attachment, then reset when done. That said, as I mentioned above, we found that the Follow Me was helpful in getting our child used to the feeling of riding without training wheels, even though he hasn't yet learned to cycle independently without them. The Trail-Gator website now offers flip-up training wheels for about $24. Please comment if you have used this product and would like to offer a review!

The Follow Me is Swiss design, and it shows. It is intimidatingly technical at first, but once you figure out where all the pins go and what the knobs do, it is easier than it looks. It caused some wear and tear on the rack we use with it (it started to pull off the rear light), but a bit of bike chain around the rack itself offered the needed support and prevented further damage.

Inaugural Group Ride a Success!

We had a BLAST on our first group ride! Playtime at the Cheesman Park playground followed by food at the Farmers' Market at East High School. Good times, great people, no flats! Join us on Facebook - just send a request!

Two Problems and a Solution

Recently I read this article by Julia Belluz on Vox which answers the age-old question: If there were more time in the day, what would you do with it? According to the 2015 Food and Health Survey, 36% would use an extra 4 hours per week to exercise more. Belluz gives suggestions for incorporating exercise into one's day, but missed an important opportunity: cycling as an alternative to driving. Moreover, the survey also found that 31% of respondents would spend more time with friends and/or family. As a parent, a lot of my "commuting" (getting kids to and from school and activities, as well as running errands) is done with my kids, and sometimes with friends and/or my spouse.

The very same day, the New York Times published an article by Jane E. Brody on the "Well" Personal Health blog, outlining the price children pay for screen addiction. Among studies showing myriad health effects, from stunted social development to increased violent behavior, one personal anecdote jumped out at me:

"Two of my grandsons... stay plugged into their hand-held devices on the ride to and from school. 'There’s no conversation anymore,' said their grandfather, who often picks them up."

What struck me was the the image that came to mind as the obvious alternative, and my own reality:

I use this bike (unfortunately no longer available from Joe Bike) to run errands and take my kids to school and day care. Instead of weaving through the city by car with kids fighting in the back seat or plugged into electronic devices, I get my workout and my kids engage with the world... especially if we pass a construction site!

This week, I rode to the Botanic Gardens to see "Stinky" the Corpse Flower and avoided parking hassles as thousands flocked to see the rare bloom. My husband and I frequently cycle for "date nights," stopping at a nearby restaurant and taking a long route home if the weather is nice. There are so many ways to incorporate cycling into daily life that eliminate hassles (parking especially) and really don't take much more time than driving or taking mass transit. So cancel that gym membership, put away the iPads, and put the time you would've spent in your car to good use!

Welcome to Family Biking Denver!

Welcome, and thanks for visiting a site dedicated to cycling families in the Denver area! My husband and I love to cycle with our kids. We started with a Chariot trailer attachment for our regular bikes, upgraded to a Joe Bike cargo bike, have purchased a Strider bike and various other tools to help the kids learn to bike independently, and welcome experience and expertise from our fellow cyclists!

Want to submit your thoughts on bicycle gear for kids and families? Have a favorite route to share? Looking for the best bike shops in town for your setup? Follow our blog and feel free to send submissions to: FamBikeDen@gmail.com