Bicycling With Children: A Complete How-To Guide (Paperback)

by Trudy E. Bell (Author), Roxana K. Bell (Author) "Real questions from real parents..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Uniform Vehicle Code, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Invaluable information for all young riders. -- We Magazine, New York, NY

This may be the most practical book ever on cycling ... If you enjoy cycling, and want some help passing it along to your kids, this is a good place to start. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

[Trudy Bell's] book should spare others from reinventing the wheel as it answers real questions from real parents.(Everett Herald (WA)) -- Everett Herald (WA)

Product Description
Answers to real questions from real parents:

"I want to take my 18-month-old son on my bike, but how can I possibly lug him, his diaper bag, and a picnic lunch?"

"Our 5-year-old is visually handicapped. Is it true even blind kids can ride bikes?"

"How can I get my 15-year-old to ride safely?"

There are dozens of questions parents ask when thinking about introducing cycling to their children: "How do I ride with a baby?"; "What do I need to look for in a child's first bike?"; "How do I get my kids to wear a helmet, even when I'm not around?"; "How can I convince my children that it's not uncool to ride safely?" Drawing on her years of experience as well as from interviews with bicycle shop owners and mechanics, family cycling organizations, instructors, manufacturers, parents and kids, Bell answers all these questions, and many, many more.

Beginning with the basics of good features for a parent's bicycle, Bell moves on to cover such topics as: toddlers as bicycle passengers; parent-child tandem cycling; buying and caring for children's bikes; teaching kids to ride; teaching traffic safety; ideas for successful and creative family rides; and preventive riding techniques and handling injuries. A chapter on bicycling for children with challenges offers information on adaptive equipment and creative suggestions such as using a tandem cycle so a visually impaired child can ride with the family. For older children, Bell offers ideas and resources for racing, touring, cycling clubs, and even how to incorporate biking into a summer or weekend job. A bibliography provides parents with additional resources for each of the main topics.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898865891
• ISBN-13: 978-0898865899
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,181,570 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of great advice, July 21, 2003

By	Aimee Yermish (Stow, MA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If for nothing else, buy this book for the detailed explanation of how to teach your kid to ride a bike *without* the bad habits caused by training wheels and coaster brakes and the falls and road rash and fear caused by the Dad-holding-the-saddle-and-yelling-at-you-to-just-pedal method. May seem unorthodox, but their recommendations are excellent. The rest of the book does a good job of covering the other aspects of around-the-block riding and cycle touring as a family, with a real understanding of both cycling and family dynamics. A must-read for any cyclist wanting to turn their kids on to this wonderful sport.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs to include the Lovebike, A very special bicycle for adults and children, January 17, 2006

A Kid's Review

Great book but must be up dated to include a very special tandem bike that allows children to ride in front of an adult. I am refering to the Lovebike as it is wonderfull for many of the disabiled, children to adults. Go to www.lovebike.com as it was formaly known, now it is known as the Buddybike, Go to www.buddybike.com and check it out. I have shared over a hundred rides with disabiled of many sorts as a volinteer using the Lovebike. There are several schools for the blind that have this bike and for the autistic children. For more infomation you can call me any time at 707 456 0468 Sincerely, Bob Gardner