Cycling Advice Kid-to-Kid
Wheel Life column - 18 September, 1999
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Our mom and dad wrote about cycling to school with children in this column a few weeks ago. They think they know it all, but we're the real experts! So here's some kid-to-kid cycling ideas for young riders and maybe older ones, too.

First, learn traffic rules to keep yourself safe and your parents happy. You can get the "Safe Driving Guide" and "Ride Right" brochures at Motor Vehicle Branch offices. Ask to have these read as bedtime stories. You'll soon be an expert, too, and can lecture your parents on safe driving habits.

Here's a great game to play on car trips: see who notices the most traffic violations. Some are common, like going too fast, not stopping behind the stop-line at intersections, or not using turn signals before making a turn. Start with other drivers' violations, but before long you can include your mom and dad's mistakes. These count for triple points in the game, which will make your parents try harder next time.

Practice your bicycling skills. Start on a lawn or empty parking lot where you feel safe, and learn basic bike handling skills like starting, stopping and turning. Mark an obstacle course with chalk or tape, and try riding straight between narrowing lines, or stopping quickly when somebody blows a whistle. Have a race to see who can go slowest without putting their foot down.

Another important skill is looking back over your shoulder. Have somebody stand or ride behind you and hold up their hand with a certain number of fingers extended, then whistle or call to you. Your challenge is to look back over your shoulder and yell the number of fingers you see as you continue to ride. This is an important skill for cycling on the roadway, where you must often check for cars over your shoulder.

Make sure your bicycle is in good shape. Learn to check things like tire pressure, and how to tighten loose nuts and bolts. Whenever anyone checks or fixes a bike, stick around to watch how it's done.

You need other stuff, like a lock and helmet, and cycling shorts and gloves if you want to look cool. A bell or horn is fun. For riding to school you need a backpack, or even better, a rear rack with bungee cords or panniers (saddle bags). You'll need front and rear lights for riding after dark, but you'll have to get your parent's OK first.

Encourage your parents to cycle with the whole family whenever you can. Ask to go riding on the Galloping Goose and other trails. Be sure to bring along snacks so your parents won't get cranky, and let them take lots of rests along the way. You may need to promise them a treat at a bakery afterward if they get tired.

The next time your parents say, "Hop in the car so we can go to school (or for an errand, or to visit friends)," you can say, "Let's bicycle instead!" They'll be more likely to say yes if you've already shown them how well you cycle, and if they don't want to listen to your descriptions of their driving mistakes.