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Introduction
Family bike rides are a great way to burn off some energy and have fun with your family.
Bike riding is a good way to get your family out of the house for a while. Whether your
ride is part of a far away vacation, or a daily jaunt around town, riding as a family can
be much more fun than riding alone.
A few ideas and safety tips can help assure that your rides are
enjoyable and that you are prepared for any unpleasant surprises.
Health Benefits
In addition to fun, there are health benefits from bike riding that
make your rides an excellent activity for your family. Biking provides a workout to many
of the muscles and bones in your body (especially your calves and upper leg muscles).
Bike riding also helps your family to get the aerobic exercise that is needed for
maintaining health weight and cardiovascular fitness. When it comes to burning off
energy, vigorous bike rides can burn up to 700 calories in an hour (1). The benefits of
bike riding make it a great activity to add to well-rounded exercise program.
Bike riding has many potential health benefits, but as with all types
of exercise, one should always consult a physician before beginning any type of exercise
program.
Bicycle Safety
It is not always easy to convince people about the importance of
bicycle safety, but it is vital for everyone in your family to understand basic safety
rules and to wear protective equipment before setting forth on any family bike ride. The
concept of safe biking is overlooked or dismissed because of the simple nature of riding
a bike. For the safety of everyone in your family, it is of utmost importance that safety
is understood, and that a commitment to wearing a helmet is absolute.
As fun as family bike rides can be, never neglect the importance of
safety. Never assume that your ride will be free of hazards, or become so comfortable on
a bike that you fail to pay adequate attention to where you are going and what is around
you. Complacency and inattentiveness can easily lead to accidents.
In order to develop a respect for bicycle safety, it is important to
understand that dangers are real. According to the *National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “In 2003, 622 pedalyclists were killed and
an additional 46,000 were injured in traffic crashes (2).” Many of the deaths that
occur with bike related accidents are related to head injuries where a helmet was not
worn. It has also been found that approximately 85 percent of head and brain injuries
suffered in biking accidents could have been prevented if the victim had worn a helmet
(3).
The following are a few safety tips that should be considered for your family
bike rides:
| Always wear a helmet and be
certain that it fits properly. Parents are no exception. |
| Always follow the rules of the
road. Bicycle riders must follow same laws that apply to cars and other vehicles
on the road. As parents you should familiarize yourself with all traffic laws and teach
them to your children. |
| Never ride in the opposite direction of
traffic. |
| When riding at night be certain that
all reflectors are intact (one on each tire and one in the front and back of the
bike), and use an electric headlight and tail-light. Also wear reflective clothing or
bright colored clothes so traffic can easily see you from a distance. |
| When riding alongside parked cars,
beware of drivers and passengers who may open doors in your
path. |
| Beware of road hazards,
potholes, wet roads, oil, gravel, or any other condition that may cause you to lose
control of the bicycle. |
This should not be considered a complete list. Other hazards and
safety concerns may also exist that have not been mentioned here. It is advisable to
refer to additional sources to assure that you are following the best safety precautions
for bicycle riding.
Before riding your bikes, it is a good idea to look them over for
signs of any problems that may impair their function. Check the air in the tires, be
certain that all reflectors are in place, make certain the brakes work, and look for any
loose parts. A quick check can help prevent problems that may occur down the road.
What To Bring On Family Bike Rides
When riding with the family, a little foresight can add to the fun.
Try to anticipate the needs of your family with consideration to weather conditions and
typical behaviors of your children. A few snacks and water can restore energy. A backpack
that is not entirely full can accommodate coats, hats, or other items that the kids might
remove along the way. A camera can capture the moments that are too perfect to forget.
Simple extras like these can help to turn a good bike ride into a great one.
Here is a list of some items you will need for your bike ride and a
few extras:
| Helmet |
| Seat bag for bike (keep tire
patch kit and small tools inside of it) |
| Backpack |
| Water bottles |
| Small first aid kit |
| Snacks |
| Bike lock |
| Small air pump |
| Bike tire sealer can (this
fixes flat tires and fills the tire with air at the same time) |
| Tire patch kit |
| Replacement Inner Tube |
| Electric headlight and taillight |
| Basket |
| Rear rack |
| Camera |
| Plastic bag (to collect
candy wrappers or other trash that you may produce) |
| Sunscreen |
| Elbow and shoulder pads (for
younger children) |
| Map of local area (if in
unfamiliar territory) |
Conclusion
Family bike rides can be great fun for your whole family. They provide
recreation and exercise at the same time. With attention to safety and the addition of a
few nice surprises, your bike rides will be happily anticipated and fondly
remembered.
- Article By Wes Fessler
* The Family Fun Shop is not affiliated with the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
Sources:
1. Platoni, Kara. “Fitness and Nutrition”
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/topic13879 [Accessed 30 May 2007] Updated 20 January
2005
2. nhtsa. “Pedalcyclists”
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSF2003/809768.pdf [Accessed 30 May
2007]
3. King County. “Make Every Bicycle Ride A Safe
Ride”
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/childcare/helmets.htm [Accessed 30 May 2007] Updated 6
April, 2007
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