Cycling with children
6.5.2017
Translation: machine translated
We'll show you how and at what age you can take your children with you on everyday cycling trips or longer outings - in a trailer, a child seat or attached to a follower bike. At the same time, little ones can take their first steps into the world of cycling with a carrier, a draisienne and finally a children's bike.
Please note: the minimum age indicated in the text below are indicative values only. Each child is unique and develops individually. Age, height, motor skills and general level of development also have an influence and must therefore be taken into account.
From 3 months
At around 3 months you can take your child in a bike trailer. But be careful: in the first few months, the neck muscles that support the baby's head are not very strong. So it's important that the head is well supported "from the outside", with a headrest cushion for example. The back and shoulder muscles have yet to develop. It is therefore advisable to use a baby seat with babies.
From 7 months
At 7 months, little ones can already set off to explore the flat or the street with a carrier. The carrier doesn't tip over and helps children to develop the skills they need to ride a bike in a fun way: moving forward, turning, braking and keeping their balance.
From 9 months
At 9 months, when the child can sit up and stand on their own, you can transport them in a child bike seat. This can be attached in front of you, to the handlebars or behind you to the frame. As well as a child's belt, it's important to think about a comfortable, shock-absorbing seat.
From 1.5 years
From the age of 1.5 years, the draisienne offers your children an ideal way to learn the basics of cycling. It encourages a sense of balance, speed and distance assessment, responsiveness and coordination. However, the right time to buy a draisienne depends not only on the child's age, but also on his or her motor skills and size.
LIKEaBIKE's Piccolo is ideal for the smallest or youngest children (from around 1.5 years), as the saddle already starts at a height of 27cm (from the ground).
The saddle on the moustache Wednesday 12 starts at 34cm. This draisienne is therefore made for slightly taller/or older children (from around 2 years old).
From 3 years
If you want to go on a family cycling trip with more demanding sections of the route, you can attach your child's bike (from around 3 years old) to yours using a follower bike. This way, he can already do parts of the route on his own and, as soon as the first signs of fatigue show, you can reattach him to your bike.
From 3.5 years
As soon as children master the draisienne, keep their balance, manage to make turns and brake at all times, they're ready for their first bike. The bike should not be too big and should 'grow' with the child, i.e. have an adjustable saddle and handlebars. When sitting on the saddle, your child should be able to touch the ground with his or her feet. At first with the whole of the sole and, when they are more confident, with the sole of the foot. Please note: owning a bike does not necessarily mean being able to ride in traffic. Children are only allowed to cycle on the road once they have started school and must, over several years, be gradually introduced to traffic.
From age 7
As soon as the child is safe on the children's bike and masters it without accidents, you can already introduce them to off-roading with a first mountain bike. It shouldn't be too heavy, and the frame size should be adapted to that of the child.
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Header image: From 3 months you can already carry your child in a bicycle trailer.
Theresa Schieder
Leader Portfolio Development Do-It, Garden & Household
Theresa.Schieder@digitecgalaxus.ch