Importance of Cycling For Kids And Family

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Technology, while vital in simplifying many aspects of our lives, has also become so prolific in our day-to-day that people are consuming the world around them through a digital screen, and there’s no place where that’s more evident than with children. While older generations may be more hesitant to fully adopt a mostly digital lifestyle, our children have grown up in the digital era. Gadgets, video games, Netflix, and social media (to name a few) can often make it hard for parents to bring their children back to the “real world,” a task that’s especially hard if the example isn’t set early on.

So, as a parent, how do you get your family to put down the devices and spend time enjoying life offline?

The suggestion is a bit biased (we are a cycling shop, after all!) but we are big fans of introducing your children to — you guessed it — cycling!

Think about the time that you learned to ride a bike. For many of us, this process was one that we shared with a parent or guardian dear to us. For some, a rite of passage that we’ll never forget.

Introducing a bicycle to your child is not only a wonderful way to teach your kids about the joys of independent mobility, but also a way of having the whole family share a hobby and passion that not only provides endless fun but also a multitude of physical and mental health benefits.

Between work, school, extracurriculars and our daily to-dos, time to spend together as a family has become a precious resource. When you come together to experience a shared interest, like cycling together, you’re actively making time for each other and strengthening your emotional bonds as a family. This kind of family bonding is vital to a child’s development through their teenage years!

And while you’re strengthening the fibers of what keeps your family healthy, by encouraging physical activity as a family you’re teaching children the importance of staying active and maintaining healthy habits rather than sitting in front of a screen. It comes as no surprise that regular exercise is directly correlated to improvements in learning development and mental health  Studies have shown that people who live an active lifestyle have a wellbeing score that is 32% higher than those who are inactive! After a hectic day at school, a bike ride can help quell the day’s worries and come into a new day with a clean slate and calm mind.

Of course, cycling is also a wonderful, low-impact way to stay on top of cardiovascular health. Our hearts work hard to keep us ticking, and cycling will only make it stronger. The benefits of cardio are vast, from lower blood pressure to increased energy and alertness and weight management which may not be the most fun to your children, but they’ll thank you later when they’re adults and have a healthy relationship with exercise!

So, are you ready to start making family bike rides a regular part of your routine? Keep these tips in mind to ensure everyone has a fun—and most importantly, safe—time!

  • Make sure the bike you choose for your child is the correct size! While age is an important factor while picking a bike, you should use your child’s height and inseam length to determine the right size bike to buy. The Cycle SuperStore Xmas Kids Bikes Warehouse is packed full of quality brands for you to choose from!
  • See and be seen. Just like when you’re riding alone, equip your family with neon, reflective and/or fluorescent gear to be as visible as possible to drivers and other cyclists. A full list of hi-viz accessorises, can be found HERE  and a full list of our lights can be found HERE
  • Always wear a quality, properly-fitted helmet. To find the right size, wrap a tape measure around the largest part of the head (about 1” above the eyebrows.) More on how to properly adjust a child’s bike helmet HERE.A full list of children’s helmets can be found HERE
  • Perform an equipment check before riding. Check to see if all tires are properly inflated, that the brakes are working properly, and that all lights are in working order if applicable.

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Roadie, Family man and Dubliner

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