According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022), cycling has several health and social benefits for children. Get a kid on two wheels at a young age and they'll see better cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as improved balance, strength, and eye-hand coordination, that will last a lifetime. Cycling also teaches kids to interact with other people and make new friendships, and allows for greater mobility, enabling them to become more independent and active. It's a great way to get a child away from the tyranny of the screen and into the wild outdoors, where all the experiences are real.
To set your child up for success, you must first choose the right bike. A bike that's uncomfortable, too heavy, or not the right size has a better chance of collecting dust in the garage than kicking it up on the trail. Thankfully, the days of one-size-fits-all BMX-style bikes are all but over. Companies like woom, Trailcraft, Cleary, and others are committed to building bicycles that are optimized for children.
"In order to create the best riding experience for kids, it is crucial to offer a bike that is specifically built for them and their needs, and not just a shrunken version of an adult bike," says Mathias Ihlehfeld, CEO of woom. The mainline manufacturers, too, are taking their cues from their specialist competition, making their products better than ever for the kids who ride them.
What's great about the new generation of children's bicycles? To begin with, overall weights are way down and that really matters. While most of us adults have reluctantly accepted that shaving a pound or two off our bikes won't guarantee us a spot on the podium, children can and do benefit tremendously from a similar savings. So don't be afraid to spend extra for a lighter bike.
This story is from the Issue 05, 2022 edition of Bicycling US.
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This story is from the Issue 05, 2022 edition of Bicycling US.
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A Celebration of Junk Miles
No longer dreading my next bunch sprint, I felt like I belonged on my bike again.
THE 92-MILE FAREWELL
THE SEA BREEZE OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND FELT DELIGHTFUL, AND I WISHED I COULD RIDE WITH MY EYES CLOSED AND TRUST THE REST OF MY SENSES TO STEER ME BACK HOME.
CHECKING IN ON MY CYCLING SELF
BUT, TODAY, PEOPLE OF ALL SORTS OF WONDERFUL, COLORFUL CULTURES WHO LOVE THE WIND IN THEIR HAIR HEAR THE SOUND OF A MILLION ANGRY HORNETS ON THEIR TAIL.
EVERYONE KNOWS 52x11 IS BIGGER THAN 48x10. EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T.
THE HUMAN THRESHOLD FOR 'LEAST NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE' IS GENERALLY ON THE ORDER OF 10 PERCENT CHANGE OF A VALUE.
I RODE THROUGH PAIN. YOU SHOULDN'T. HERE'S WHY.
AND WHILE \"PAIN\" AND \"SUFFERING\" ARE OFTEN THROWN AROUND IN THE SAME BREATH, WHEN IT COMES TO THE BODY THEY'RE NOT, IN FACT, THE SAME.
THE RACES ARE FASTER. ARE THEY CLEANER? AND DOES IT MATTER?
THE LAST TWO EDITIONS OF THE MEN'S Tour de France were among the three fastest.
BRAYDON BRINGHURST VERSUS THE BEAST
THIS FORMER POLE VAULTER IS THE RARE ATHLETE WHO CAN BLEND EXPLOSIVE POWER WITH PRECISION AND CONTROL. BUT HE'D NEED A LOT MORE THAN THAT TO RIDE HIS BIKE UP THIS INSANELY TECHNICAL DOWNHILL TRAIL.
THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FRICTION-FREE
CONSIDER THE HUMBLE LIKE CHAIN. IT'S AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED BICYCLE PART COMPARED TO FLASHIER COMPONENTS WHEELS, CRANKS, AND DERAILLEURS. BUT THE CHAIN IS THE CRITICAL LINK IN THE DRIVETRAIN BETWEEN THE RIDER'S POWER AND THE BIKE'S REAR WHEEL.
MOLLY'S LAST RIDE
Twelve-year-old Molly Steinsapir crashed onto the pavement from a Rad Power e-bike and never woke up. With a poorly regulated electric-bike industry, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE WHEN A CHILD DIES?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COMBINE AETHOS WEIGHT, VENGE AERODYNAMICS, AND BUTTERY SMOOTHNESS?
Building a great bike is hard. Making a great bike better is even more challenging. Yet every three to four years, brands that make race bikes for their professional road racers take on this challenge.
