Going for a bike ride is a staple of many childhoods, and as the summer months begin giving us longer hours in the great outdoors, whilst the restrictions have eased up enough that going for a ride comes with many benefits, there is no better time to get your children back on the bike.

Whether they’re just starting out or more comfortable on two wheels than two feet, being properly attired is crucial for their safety and for your own peace of mind. 

Choosing the right helmet
There are a whole range of options when it comes to helmets, with different styles, patterns and colours making it a tough decision for your child. What you need to look out for however, is the sizing. Helmets that are too big or small will be uncomfortable to wear and, more importantly, don’t offer as much protection. 
It can also be somewhat tempting to purchase a larger helmet so that your child can grow into it, or perhaps it’s the only one in the style they’re after, but it’s really important to have a helmet that is the right size.

To measure your child’s head, just follow these steps:

Take a fabric measuring tape and wrap it around the head about an inch above the  eyebrows.
Measure from here, making sure the tape is level all the way round.

Helmets are most commonly advertised in centimetres to give an indication of size, which directly relates to the circumference of the head. When choosing the helmet, take a look at how it sits on the head. It should be level, with a gap of about an inch, or two fingers, between the eyebrow and the helmet. Make sure that all the straps and adjustments are firm but not too tight.

Being seen – reflective outerwear 
Perhaps not the coolest look, but being seen is a vital part of road safety and something that should be instilled as soon as possible. One of the easiest ways for your child to learn about road safety is to set the example yourself, so always ensure that you’re wearing the correct clothing and equipment when you venture out on the bike. If they’re resistant to donning cycling gear, there are reflective jackets that can be worn over clothing as well as stickers that can be placed directly on the bike. 

Trailers/attachable bikes
Now that your children are properly protected on the road, it’s time to get out and about. It may well be that your children are too young to be going on long distance treks right now, but there’s a simple solution for that. 
A great way for kids to join in with the family bike ride, trailers ensure the safety of your children whilst they’re snug and secure behind you in a comfy buggy. 
There are no balance or control issues that might otherwise come with a child seated behind you, and the children can relax under the canopy, staying dry and keeping out of any mischief that could occur in a child bike seat.
If your child is too heavy for a bike seat or trailer, but cannot manage a longer ride yet, try a tag-a-long (often known as a trailer bike). It’s essentially a child’s bicycle with the front wheel, fork and headset replaced by a long towbar or boom, and it fits to the back of an adult’s bike to form an articulated tandem.
Attachable bikes allow you to secure your child’s bike to your own, letting you cycle together safely and with the knowledge that they’re always right behind you.  

Getting them involved
When they’re old enough to no longer need your assistance, the task becomes getting them away from the screens and out into the world. One way to do this is get on the bike yourself, getting them to join you on rides and driving to new locations to give them an incentive to go riding. Another way of boosting their enthusiasm for the sport is to encourage them to join clubs and groups. Cycling has all sorts of subsections, such as BMXing and mountain biking, with both of those categories now considered to be Olympic sports, so it naturally follows that there will always be several groups around looking for new talent. While you’ll need to consider the necessity of social distancing, this can be a great way of expanding their friendship groups and their passion for cycling.