Cycling is fun and contributes to physical development. Therefore, the question of the age at which children can begin to ride is very relevant. It is necessary to carefully observe all safety standards and at the same time not to deprive the kids of the joy of free movement.
Start
First of all, it is necessary to answer the question at what point can I put the child behind the wheel, in general. Pediatricians, educators and psychologists believe that there is no need to force this process. The right reference point will be that a small person has mastered full walking and is physically stronger. Then he is already able to sit on a bicycle seat and hold the steering wheel. The first "steering tests" can be made as early as 12-18 months.
Of course, there is no question of free skating either. Just put the baby on a 3-wheeled bicycle and demonstrate:
- how to pedal;
- how to stop;
- how to turn to the side.
Recommendation: it is better to begin the development of wheeled vehicles with runbikes. They will allow:
- train the necessary muscle groups;
- to strengthen the reaction to what is happening and give it the necessary forms;
- master basic bike management skills.
At the age of 2.5-3 years, a child can ride a bicycle almost fully. Of course, it should be a tricycle with the notorious parental handle. To use a bike of too complex design is impractical.
You will have to spend time, support the baby with his hands and even direct his movement. But it will be rewarded a hundredfold. Later everything will go strictly individually.
The time to proceed to the next step is determined by:
- physical and mental development of the child;
- his general training;
- specifically riding skills;
- the frequency of cycling;
- the ability of parents to pay attention.
Usually tricycle riding ends in 5-6 years. With good physical development, you can transfer children to a 2-wheel bike even earlier. It must be borne in mind that the rapid development of the young body will often change bikes at this time. When the height reaches 1 m, the diameter of the wheel should be 12 inches.
Then a simple rule applies: for every 0.15 m of growth, 4 inches are added immediately.
Travel on the road
But to drive a bike, even a 2-wheeled one, of a sports class, in the yard or on the sidewalk is one thing. And it’s a completely different matter when the child leaves for the carriageway. There is no longer the will of the parents (or rather, it is not alone), but the inexorable rules of the road. They require children under 7 years old to travel only:
- on the sidewalks;
- special dedicated tracks;
- pedestrian areas and other places where motor vehicles do not go.
Riding up to 14 years of age is also permitted along bicycle paths. And starting from the age of 14, it is allowed to ride along the roadsides and along the bicycle lanes allocated to them. But, regardless of the specific age, the absolute priority is still assigned to bike paths. All other options are provided by the rules only in case they cannot be used for some reason. If preschoolers ride in a separate seat under the guidance of adults, or someone of an adult accompanies them, then you can go along the sidewalk.
It must be remembered that cyclists are full-fledged road users, regardless of age. Therefore, they may be held civilly liable for all violations committed. The only difference is that for a small rider, parents pay fines and compensation. There are even special “bicycle” insurance policies. Judicial practice also suggests that cyclists may be found guilty and liable to compensate for the damage. Before, in the USSR, it was forbidden to ride a bicycle without rights and without license plates.
Now there is no such restriction. But another rule appeared: ride either along bike paths or along the roadway. In the second case, it is allowed to move only along the stream, and not against it.
Obviously, this requires a certain level of skills and reactions. Not all children by the age of 7-11 are prepared purely enough from a psychophysiological point of view, and it is impossible to guarantee their safe travel on the road.
That is why the rules of the road clearly say: You cannot drive a bike on roads (on their carriageway) until you reach the age of 14. There are no traffic regulations for the quality of the bike used. But all the same, for your own peace of mind and to avoid many problems, up to 14 years old you must be allowed to use only bicycles of a special children's design. Attempts to use "adult" models too early will only lead to great danger, and sometimes directly to big trouble.
And one more subtlety: the rules of the road are constantly changing, and you will have to get acquainted with their latest edition at least once every six months.
Riding an electric bike
Cycling with a motor is a very special “world”, and the requirements of the law are much stricter here than with ordinary cyclists. The electric bike is quite heavy and develops very high, almost automobile speeds. If the motor is relatively weak (up to 0.25 kW), and the speed does not exceed 25 km / h, you can ride on such vehicles from the age of 14. If the bike comes with an engine more powerful than 0.25 kW and / or falls into the category “from 25 to 50 km / h”, the bar has been raised already up to 16 years. Important: vehicles with several driving modes are classified according to the most powerful of them.
It should be borne in mind that road safety inspectors have no time to conduct a thorough examination on the road of where is what power. because from the very beginning it is necessary to focus on the most stringent age restrictions. Moreover, the parents themselves will be calmer. As for powerful (from 250 W) bicycles, you will have to get a driver’s license to drive them. They issue it traditionally, as for motorists or motorcyclists: with training at a driving school, with a medical commission, and passing exams. It implies not only the ability to ride, but also a thorough knowledge of official laws.
To learn how to teach a child to ride a bicycle, see the next video.
