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Summer bike riding is the ultimate in family fun. And the good news is that Canada has many bike paths and offers a variety of activities for cyclists of all ages! Here are a few suggestions for your first family bike rides.
Plan your trip wisely
When taking your kids out for a bike ride, be sure not to overestimate their stamina. You should also be mindful of your own strength if you're pulling a trailer. Twenty-kilometre rides are possible with young children as long as you take regular breaks throughout.
For maximum safety, choose bike paths that are isolated from traffic rather than bike lanes that share the road with drivers. Most major cities and parks have a network of trails reserved for cyclists. You can use your favourite search engine to find out where they're located. Simply type in "bike paths" and a city or park name and hit the "Enter" key! If you'd like to take a ride through some of the country's most beautiful scenery, look into the Trans Canada Trail and the Route verte in Quebec. They both offer great trails!
Another great option to consider if you're looking for a safe enjoyable ride is converted railway lines. As multi-purpose parks, they're usually well maintained and wide enough to accommodate a bicycle trailer. They're also pretty flat, so little legs don't have to worry about struggling up big hills! Click on the province of your choice for a description of the best trails in Quebec (French only), Ontario and British Columbia. If you're planning on riding in the United States, visit TrailLink.com for a list of their converted railway lines.
Join the pack!
Don't like riding solo? Then why not sign up for one of the many cycling activities offered throughout the summer! Some events – like the Montréal Bike Fest – are for avid cyclists while others raise funds for various charities. No matter what your preference, you can easily find a ride that's just the right length for you. One of the longest rides – the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride – runs right across Canada! Thankfully, you can ride as much or as little as you want. For a look at the major events happening in each province, click on Canada Trails.
Ride safely
Before each ride, be sure to remind your kids about the safety rules they need to follow (see Igor's Tips in the opposite box). Enrolling them in the Canadian Cycling Association's CAN-BIKE course is a great idea! The course, offered in certain major cities, teaches the basics of bicycle safety to children 8 to 13.
You may also want to look into day camps that focus on bike riding such as Pedalheads Bike Camps, which are offered in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. To find out what's available in your area, do an Internet search using "bike camps" as keywords.
Igor's Tips
The 5 rules of bicycle safety
- Make sure your bike is in good condition. Check the brakes, the height of your seat, the bell and the reflectors.
- Make sure your helmet is on properly. It should be horizontal with the "V" straps meeting below your earlobes. The chin strap should be nice and tight.
- Follow the rules of road safety. That means you need to pay attention to traffic lights, stop signs, one-way streets and so on.
- Make your intentions known. If you're turning left, extend your left arm horizontally. If you're turning right, bend your left arm at a 90o angle with your fingers pointing upwards. If you're slowing down or stopping, bend your left arm at a 90o angle with your fingers pointing down and your palm facing back.
- Make sure to stay in single file if you're riding as part of a group.