You love hitting the road on your motorcycle or catching air on your dirt bike. After years of watching you ride, your child is ready to learn, and you get to share that passion with them. Having your kids express an interest in bikes is an opportunity to bond over something you love and pass down some of your knowledge to the next generation. When your youngster is ready to burn some rubber, check out Cycle Trader’s 10 safety tips for teaching your kids to ride.
1. Assess Your Teaching Skills
You may be eager to get your child riding, but do you have the skills to properly teach them? Start by assessing your own skill level as a rider and an instructor. Are you able to introduce a young rider to the basic functions of the bike and riding fundamentals? Can you see if your child has improper form? You’ll also want to make sure you have the time and patience to teach a beginning rider.
Or, you could be more comfortable with finding a professional school to teach your child. These classes can instruct them about the parts and controls of a bike and how to safely ride. This frees you up to provide positive encouragement as your child mounts a bike for the first time. You can also help reinforce what they learn in class on your own time.
2. Choose the Right Bike
When shopping for a bike for your child to ride, make sure you pick one that will be a good fit for them. Their height is a big factor when deciding which bike to get. You’ll want your child to be able to touch the ground with both feet when sitting on the bike so they can balance themselves. Other factors to consider when buying your child a bike include:
- Wheel size
- Engine size
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Starter system
For young kids, we recommend bikes with a 50cc engine. Teenagers should be able to handle something a little larger, such as a 110-150cc engine. Most bikes designed for kids feature an automatic clutch, so they won’t have to worry about manually changing gears. As your child’s skills improve and they get more confident on the bike, you’ll want to upgrade them to a larger or more powerful bike.
For more tips on researching and buying a motorcycle, read our previous article.
3. Get the Safest Gear
Once your child has their bike, make sure they look the part before riding. The right gear can not only protect them from serious injury, but also get them excited to ride. They’ll feel pretty cool when they strap on their helmet and saddle up on their bike. We recommend purchasing this gear for your child as they learn to ride:
- Helmet
- Riding goggles
- Chest protector
- Gloves
- Knee and elbow pads
- Riding boots
Make sure their riding gear fits them well and won’t come off during a fall.
4. Familiarize them with the Bike
Before they start to rev the engine, let your young rider get familiar with all the parts of their bike. Help them locate the starter and throttle, while learning the mechanics of the clutch and brakes. Let them get comfortable with the weight of their bike before it’s running. Have your child adjust the mirrors so they can see what’s behind them, and make sure their seat is at the right height.
5. Start on a Flat, Straight Road
When your child is geared up and ready to ride, start them off easy. A flat, straight road can help them develop the balance they need to navigate their bike. Choose a road or area with no traffic to make their “classroom.” Long driveways and empty parking lots are great places to start.
As your child begins to safely maneuver, it may help to take pictures and video. This is not only a great memory of their first ride, but you can review it later and see what might need to be adjusted, such as their stance and form.
6. Learn Turns in an Open Area
Once your child has a handle on throttling and braking while going straight, practice turning. Again, you’ll want an open area that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. Start with large, gentle turns before teaching your child how to navigate tighter turns that require a lean.
7. Set a Speed Limit
Everyone wants to feel the adrenaline rush of riding at high speeds. However, while your child is still a novice, give them a speed limit to stay under. Going full throttle can be incredibly dangerous and increase their chances of falling or having an accident, especially when they’re inexperienced. Start your child off at a moderate speed for the first few months, then gradually increase that as they become more skilled and comfortable on the bike.
8. Teach One Skill at a Time
You might be excited to teach your young rider every trick and tip you know, but it’s important to start slowly. Learning too many techniques at once can make it difficult for your child to fully grasp and complete each one successfully. It’s better to let them get a good handle on one technique at a time before moving on to the next. Keep track of your child’s progress so you know when it’s time to learn something new.
9. Learn How to Properly Fall
It is inevitable that your child will fall as they learn how to ride. If you can’t prevent a fall or crash, make sure you know the best way to avoid serious injury. If they can, teach them to pick a safe landing spot. As they fall, it’s important for your child to not tense their body and to remain as calm as possible. Remember, proper protective gear should help minimize any damage.
10. Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks
Once your child experiences the thrill of riding, they might not want to stop. As they’re learning how to ride, make sure they take breaks and drink plenty of water. Dehydration is common for riders, both young and old, who ride for long periods of time. Make sure your child is drinking lots of water before, after, and during their ride. Also keep an eye on them for any signs of dehydration.
Teaching your child to ride can be a fun experience, but safety should be the first priority. By making sure they have the right bike and gear, teaching them in a secure area, being patient, and staying hydrated, it’ll only be a matter of time before they’re riding beside you on the open road.
If you’re looking for a 50-150cc bike for your youth or teen rider, browse the nationwide selection of new or used bikes at CycleTrader.com. For more tips, along with stories, videos, and more, check out Cycle Trader’s Generational Legacies Page.
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