Family touring with a child on their own bike

The most precocious children start riding on their own bikes at around age 3 or 4. But knowing how to ride in a park or around the house isn't enough. Touring requires other abilities that most very young cyclists haven't yet developed: concentration, following a path, managing effort over the long haul...

Although everyone learns at their own pace and there is no shortage of counter-examples, children can generally take part in family rides on their own at around age 6 or 7. The highly symbolic "age of reason" is synonymous of the maturity they need to understand and apply essential safety instructions.

They are also, for the most part, able to read signs and have the physical ability to ride for several kilometres without loads of untimely stops. 

Here again, endurance can vary considerably from one child to another. On average, a 7-year-old is capable of covering 20 to 30 km per day on gentle terrain. Of course, they'll be the one setting the family's pace, around 10 km/h in general. But don't hesitate to slow them down if they are too quick out the gate to keep them from tiring too early. Don't forget that managing effort is a skill that is learned over time. In any case, keep an eye on their fatigue and take more breaks if necessary.

One mistake to avoid: wanting to do too much! By pushing them too far, you risk creating bad associations with your family bike rides. On the other hand, to motivate your child, feel free to give some purpose to your ride. At that age, the simple pleasure of "riding for its own sake" is probably not enough. So turn each of your stages into an adventure or a treasure hunt: an ice cream or another treat at the end, a swim in a river or lake, building a cabin, a visit, or another fun activity…

As much as possible, plan for a marked route with a maximum of sections away from traffic. To start out, go for cycle paths, greenways, or veloroutes where you can gently teach your kid about bike touring far from traffic, which would be stressful for the whole family. How can you identify these secure routes? The organisation AF3V has an interactive map with all of the bike routes in France. All you need to imagine some initial rides of a few hours, all the way up to longer bike trips lasting a week to a month.

One of the most popular and best managed veloroutes in France crosses the country over 1200 km along the Atlantic coast. 70% of the route is on sections with separate, car-free lanes. Its name: the EuroVelo1 or Vélodyssée. Another perk of these routes: they are generally relatively flat and provide a variety of lodging options at regular intervals: campgrounds, inns, hotels, etc. Perfect for setting out as a family.

However, it's difficult to entirely escape open roads. When it's time to move through traffic, be sure you're visible by other users by having the entire family wear an approved high-visibility gilet. As much as possible, an adult should lead the way while another takes the rear, keeping the child(ren) in the middle. If needed, raise your voice to communicate short instructions, but try to use easily understandable gestures to indicate changes in direction or point out dangers. In any case, at the risk of being counterproductive, avoid drowning your offspring in a sea of instructions or constant warnings. 

No rules are set in stone. For short trips, the bike they're used to riding will surely do the trick, even if it isn't brand new! For a longer voyage, it may be better to get a more specialised bike. Durable and multi-purpose, mountain bikes adapt unflinchingly to the demands of a long trip. But there are also children's hybrid bikes that are remarkably versatile and meet the challenge of a bike tour with vigour.

For a young cyclist to be able to independently handle a long-distance tour, it's preferable that they have at least a 20" bike (for children at least 120 cm tall) with a derailleur. This will allow them to vary their pedalling intensity based on hills or the type of terrain. With no ability to change gears, they will be stuck walking their bike as soon as they encounter a hill. A sure cause of frustration and discouragement. And if they haven't yet perfectly mastered the science of gear ratios, your trip will be an ideal opportunity to practise. Pay particular attention to the weight of your child's bike. The lightest models are easier to handle when stopping and easier to get to the top of hills.

In any case, carefully adjust the saddle and handlebar height. They will gain both comfort and efficiency. And remind them that they are required to wear a helmet until the age of 12. A pair of gloves is also highly recommended. 

Why not luggage? Of course, you'll need to assess your child's comfort in advance. For their first time touring, or if they still lack confidence behind the handlebars, there's no point in loading them down with luggage. On the other hand, if they can handle all the constraints of touring, you can float the idea of carrying two small bags during your bike holiday. Even if they only carry a few lightweight items, they will certainly have a great symbolic importance. Carrying their own equipment is generally seen as a sign of respect rather than a constraint. With luggage on their bike, the child will feel like they are just like their parents.

How do you equip their bike with luggage? There are small pannier racks that are compatible with 20" or 24" bikes. The frame should have inserts for installation. It is easier to find these attachment eyelets on hybrid bikes. They generally don't exist on mountain bikes.

Although there are specific bags for kids' bikes, you can also simply choose small-sized touring bags. They generally turn out to be better made. Look specifically for models designed to be attached to the front of an adult bike. On average, they have a volume of around 12 to 14 litres. That's enough for a compact inflatable mattress and a few items of clothing, for example.

If you don't have a pannier rack, think about a bikepacking method. Again, smaller "adult" bags that can be attached to the saddle or handlebar with straps or rip-tabs will allow them to carry a few items of equipment or a picnic lunch. Enough so they have the soul of a great bike traveller!
In any case, make sure that the bags don't interfere with your child's pedalling. Also take care that they don't throw them off balance, particularly when stopping. Overly heavy bags will tend to tip them over.

What about a backpack? Although it's possible to slide a few items into a flexible, lightweight backpack for a short ride, it is highly recommended to use frame bags for longer rides or touring. For comfort, but also to prevent the development of back or neck pain. 

Child's name and age: Axel, age 6
Route taken: Dolce Via in Ardèche
Distance: 60 km in two days.

Our son, Axel, has been used to bike travel since a very young age. He has done several long-distance routes with us in different trailers. But lately, he has regularly expressed the desire to "fly with his own wings." We gave him the chance during a touring weekend on the Dolce Via, in Ardèche. 

One factor was crucial: moving up to a 20" bike with a derailleur. With this new ride, which he first tried out a few weeks before our tour, he considerably extended his range and gained confidence. He became aware that with gears, hills weren't an insurmountable obstacle. During short rides or daily commutes, we taught him to change gears, follow a path, and brake well on descents. In very little time, he took a fundamental step in mastering his machine. On departure day, he set out on the trail without fear. He was proud to ride on his own and be able to manage his own progress. 

First of all, we looked to ride away from traffic as much as possible. The Dolce Via, in Ardèche, has been converted from a former railway. There are very few sections that are shared with cars. Very reassuring with a kid who's just starting out. We started from the high point of the route. So the ride tended to be descending. At least on the first morning... to gently get our legs warmed up. 

Over forty kilometres on the first day. In hindsight, that was definitely a bit much. Especially because the second part of the day included a fairly long and laborious climb. Axel made it the whole way without complaining. But in hindsight, 30 km per day would have been a limit not to exceed given his age and abilities.  

First of all, we went with friends. A family like us, whose oldest daughter, also 6 years old, is a great friend of Axel's. They were thrilled to be able to share this experience and spend time together outside of school.

We also described the route to them in advance and presented the points of interest as goals to attain: tunnels, lunch break, bivouac at a campground on a goat farm, etc. We also took a lot of breaks to look at a salamander, a hawk, or just to play in the grass. Each time was good for instilling some magic and transforming our tour into a great adventure!

We used two traction bands that proved to be of great help on slopes. Reliable and easy to use, the system gave the kids some extra motivation when it seemed like fatigue was about to get the upper hand. They didn't entirely stop pedalling, but the device let them considerably slow their pace while they got some strength back. However, for the parent in charge of pulling, they need to agree to a much greater effort. But unless you're on a truly steep slope or worried about time, it's not insurmountable. Compared to a trailer, for example, a tow strap affects steering less. However, it's essential to moderate your pace and to communicate well about your plans for steering, braking, and changing direction to prevent any risk of falls or pile-ups.