Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Living Car Free
Reload this Page >

Bike Culture For Kids

Notices
Living Car Free Do you live car free or car light? Do you prefer to use alternative transportation (bicycles, walking, other human-powered or public transportation) for everyday activities whenever possible? Discuss your lifestyle here.

Bike Culture For Kids

Old 02-15-09, 08:57 AM
  #1  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bike Culture For Kids

We're a car lite family with two girls ages 16 months and 3 1/2 years. I commute year round and have strong reservations about perpetuating the car culture mentality. The kids spend enough time in the car, especially in winter, that I'm looking for bike culture positive influences, but find them far and few between. There's no end to the anthropomorphised cars in movies, books and toys, but there aren't many examples of good movies, toys and books that support a positive bike culture. So, what are the best bike influences for kids?
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 09:08 AM
  #2  
gwd
Biker
 
gwd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917

Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dondonaldo
We're a car lite family with two girls ages 16 months and 3 1/2 years. I commute year round and have strong reservations about perpetuating the car culture mentality. The kids spend enough time in the car, especially in winter, that I'm looking for bike culture positive influences, but find them far and few between. There's no end to the anthropomorphised cars in movies, books and toys, but there aren't many examples of good movies, toys and books that support a positive bike culture. So, what are the best bike influences for kids?
When they get to that young teen age where they and their friends don't drive but they want to go do things they'd rather their parents not know about. As soon as a close friend drives, bikes suck. If dad is into bikes, bikes suck even more.

For me, using a bike to run a paper route and make money was the thing, but that was an entirely different eon.

For my kid biking was fun until she became a teenager and she realized that the wider culture especially her friends considered it dorky. She felt humiliated when we'd arrive at a soccer game by bike when all her teamates arrived by limo or suv. Even her teamates who lived in walking distance to the field got driven.
gwd is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 09:32 AM
  #3  
Peace, Love, Bikes
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 900

Bikes: Schwinn Le Tour III

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
By the time they are at that age gas might be prohibitively expensive to most teenagers.
politicalgeek is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 10:00 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dondonaldo
We're a car lite family with two girls ages 16 months and 3 1/2 years. I commute year round and have strong reservations about perpetuating the car culture mentality. The kids spend enough time in the car, especially in winter, that I'm looking for bike culture positive influences, but find them far and few between. There's no end to the anthropomorphised cars in movies, books and toys, but there aren't many examples of good movies, toys and books that support a positive bike culture. So, what are the best bike influences for kids?
I've seen a fair number of children's books about bikes. My kids' favorite when they were younger was D.W. Rides Again by Marc Brown.
rockmom is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 11:43 AM
  #5  
Pedaled too far.
 
Artkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Well, "Curious George Rides A Bike" is a classic. PC people point out that he doesn't wear a helmet, but he's a monkey for crying out loud. No one wore helmets when it was written. As I recall, in the cartoon series "Jacob Two Two", jacob rides a bike. And of course, Kermit the Frog is a legendary bicyclist.

I think that the best influences are not cultural, but rather physical. My two strongest early influences towards riding bicycles were tricycles and seeing my older brother ride down the block and around the corner on his bike. That sight alone promised untold adventures.

Get your oldest a drasienne, aka a balance bike. Here is one vendor.



And of course, take them on rides with you. You might also check in the family forum.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London

Originally Posted by Bjforrestal
I don't care if you are on a unicycle, as long as you're not using a motor to get places you get props from me. We're here to support each other. Share ideas, and motivate one another to actually keep doing it.

Last edited by Artkansas; 02-15-09 at 11:47 AM.
Artkansas is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 12:20 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 411
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
as a kid a bicycle was the ultimate symbol of freedom during the long summers of no supervision. from ~9-13ish years of age i my friends and i would just take our bikes and ride then attempt to figure out how to get home after a few hours.
crocodilefundy is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 03:30 PM
  #7  
tsl
Plays in traffic
 
tsl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971

Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 9 Posts
Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race by Erin Mirabella, illustrated by Lisa Horstman is a nice kid's book, if you don't mind barnyard animals in lycra.

The the web site and more recent books by Joe Kurmaskie, the Metal Cowboy, are about touring with his kids. Sounds like it could be a plan...
tsl is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 06:39 PM
  #8  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for the responses everyone.

I understand the difficulties with teenagers and peer pressure and all the things I can do to model a sensible approach, what I really don't want to do is entirely cede the cultural argument for personal transportation to the automobile.

When I think of the hours I spent with toy cars, the thousands of commercials, the comics and cartoons about cars and the fact that no adults are ever seen on TV or in the movies on bicycles, it's a wonder I ever figured it out (it was actually a motorcycle accident that brought me to cycling as an adult). Just hoping to carve a little more space in my toddlers' heads on the subject.
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-15-09, 07:04 PM
  #9  
Membership Not Required
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855

Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by dondonaldo
Thanks for the responses everyone.

I understand the difficulties with teenagers and peer pressure and all the things I can do to model a sensible approach, what I really don't want to do is entirely cede the cultural argument for personal transportation to the automobile.

When I think of the hours I spent with toy cars, the thousands of commercials, the comics and cartoons about cars and the fact that no adults are ever seen on TV or in the movies on bicycles, it's a wonder I ever figured it out (it was actually a motorcycle accident that brought me to cycling as an adult). Just hoping to carve a little more space in my toddlers' heads on the subject.
My two grew up with dad hauling them around in the old 'dale Bugger trailer, then they graduated to bikes of their own. We rode regularly with another family, we did short tours, weekend rides to the ice cream store, commuted to school, etc. Both are grown and are on their own, DS live car free in Leeds, UK, DD lives car light in Carnation, WA. Their mother would not ride a bike for any reason. So I guess I didn't do too bad. Good luck, children learn primarily by example.

Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(

ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.

"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"
_Nicodemus

"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"
_krazygluon
wahoonc is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 01:44 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991

Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dondonaldo
...no adults are ever seen on TV or in the movies on bicycles...
Here's an interesting thing I learned reading this forum.

TV commercials show happy adults on bikes all the time! Start watching and you will see for yourself. The bicycle is often used as a symbol of vigorous, joyous, carefree, relaxed living. Advertising is all about subconscious messages. Maybe from time to time you can simply point out an adult riding a bike in an advertisement. And when the kids are ready, also explain why the advertiser has chosen bike riding to symbolize the best things life has to offer.
Platy is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 09:00 AM
  #11  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Platy
Here's an interesting thing I learned reading this forum.

TV commercials show happy adults on bikes all the time! Start watching and you will see for yourself. The bicycle is often used as a symbol of vigorous, joyous, carefree, relaxed living. Advertising is all about subconscious messages. Maybe from time to time you can simply point out an adult riding a bike in an advertisement. And when the kids are ready, also explain why the advertiser has chosen bike riding to symbolize the best things life has to offer.
Platy, that's an interesting point. I haven't given much thought to the, mostly pharmaceutical if I remember correctly, commercials out there. We don't have access to broadcast or cable television at home. The kids still watch TV, but we get stuff from the library so we never see commercials. It's certainly something to mull over that advertisers see a symbolism in cycling that doesn't appear to be widely presented elsewhere.


Originally Posted by wahoonc
My two grew up with dad hauling them around in the old 'dale Bugger trailer, then they graduated to bikes of their own. We rode regularly with another family, we did short tours, weekend rides to the ice cream store, commuted to school, etc. Both are grown and are on their own, DS live car free in Leeds, UK, DD lives car light in Carnation, WA. Their mother would not ride a bike for any reason. So I guess I didn't do too bad. Good luck, children learn primarily by example.

Aaron
Thanks Aaron, glad to hear your kids learned to incorporate cycling into their lifestyles.
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 09:08 AM
  #12  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Artkansas
Get your oldest a drasienne, aka a balance bike.

And of course, take them on rides with you. You might also check in the family forum.
A run bike is already in the plans for spring, and when the weather is nicer my wife and I use the bike with bobike and trailer more than the car. I feel pretty up to speed on actual methods of use, and have already incorporated bikes into our lifestyle which is why I posted in this forum. The Family forum seems mostly gear and method oriented. This one struck me as having a greater cultural awareness.
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 01:52 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991

Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dondonaldo
Platy, that's an interesting point. I haven't given much thought to the, mostly pharmaceutical if I remember correctly, commercials out there. We don't have access to broadcast or cable television at home. The kids still watch TV, but we get stuff from the library so we never see commercials. It's certainly something to mull over that advertisers see a symbolism in cycling that doesn't appear to be widely presented elsewhere.
Okay, I'm on a Youtube scavenger hunt for positive bike symbolism in TV commercials!

Here's a notable non-pharma example from the AmSouth/Regions Bank "Green Bike" marketing campaign :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rez7EsMwu5w

Not American and not adults on bikes, but you see how bicycle symbolism is invoked in this Japanese Prius ad from 1999:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjEZAEqS9es

The Design Challenge Award winner of the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show was the GMC PAD concept car. This page has an image from the marketing materials. Look closely, the hipster guy standing in front of it is holding a folding bicycle!

https://www.cars.com/go/features/auto...oncept_gmc_pad

A Guinness beer commercial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU9S3PuFVVE

Nike "Just Do It" ad circa 2006:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PFacJbg9bk
Platy is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 04:18 PM
  #14  
Peace, Love, Bikes
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 900

Bikes: Schwinn Le Tour III

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
And if you look at numbers for transit and bikes from the past year, it seems American culture is starting to (slowly) distance itself from the car.
politicalgeek is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 05:16 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I wanted to add, that for at least the early years, your kids will consider whatever your family does as what's normal. My kids (5 and 8) have been raised car free so they think busing and biking are the way to get around.
rockmom is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 05:19 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
zeppinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 2,016

Bikes: Giant FCR3, Surly LHT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by Platy
Okay, I'm on a Youtube scavenger hunt for positive bike symbolism in TV commercials!

Here's a notable non-pharma example from the AmSouth/Regions Bank "Green Bike" marketing campaign :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rez7EsMwu5w

Not American and not adults on bikes, but you see how bicycle symbolism is invoked in this Japanese Prius ad from 1999:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjEZAEqS9es

The Design Challenge Award winner of the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show was the GMC PAD concept car. This page has an image from the marketing materials. Look closely, the hipster guy standing in front of it is holding a folding bicycle!

https://www.cars.com/go/features/auto...oncept_gmc_pad

A Guinness beer commercial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU9S3PuFVVE

Nike "Just Do It" ad circa 2006:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PFacJbg9bk
These are good point. However, for everyone of these positive commercials about people using a bike in there free time, as a toy, there are also commercials like these that make fun of people who use bikes as a means of transportation. The implications are obvious and so even though the bike is shown positively in some commercials it is still used to represent upper middle class consumerism. In a way it is worse that they use the bike to symbolize these values rather than not use it at all. It is essentially hijacking a cultural symbol and morphing it into a consumer symbol. At least that what I think, but I am cynical. Maybe its better just to have them on TV at all? What do you all think?

Take a look!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSqVGvl3DUM

Actually, now that I see this version of the commercial its not as bad as the one I saw last night which was shorter and made it seem like he was riding a bike because he could not get a car loan... It was the some product being sold but the lyrics were different... Hmm maybe someone complained and they pulled it? Or maybe I suck at youtube and just cant find it....
zeppinger is offline  
Old 02-16-09, 08:06 PM
  #17  
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Posts: 46

Bikes: '09 Surly Big Dummy, '08 Surly LHT touring bike, '96 Fisher Mt. Tam MTB/icebike, '54 Schwinn Tiger cruiser

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Aside from the point made earlier that what you do with them will seem normal (at least for the early years), it also depends on how your friends, neighbors, and other people in your community regard bikes. (You can take this to the bank--as a cultural anthropologist I can tell you this is how cultures work everywhere )

In other words, if your little ones are regularly around others that regard bikes highly and use them often, what you do will with them will be reinforced. I see it where I live with my 7, 3.5, and three week olds (well maybe not the last one--she's too little for the burley yet!). My 7 year old is already joshing with me about how insane I am about bikes, but the fact is, everyday she is around other people who use bikes for more than just exercise and recreation, but as practical vehicles. So she has a solid sense of the importance of bikes for getting around, and for getting around with a certain sensibility (a smell the roses kind of sensibility). It makes a difference too that ours in a bike-friendly city where a bunch of us neighbors ride with our kids to school, the schools make a big deal about riding (offering prizes throughout the year), there's a strong bike advocacy group that has events throughout the year (even in winter) where kids decorate their bikes and do bike parades, etc. Each of these adds to their sense that what we are doing in our family is normal.

I totally get the teenager car thing, having grown up in California where my bike fanaticism got sidelined by a racy Fiat (not to mention the distances I wanted to travel). Which is why I'm planning on packing up the kids for a multi-year bike tour just when they get to the teenage years (just kidding, but only maybe....)
Luis Vivanco is offline  
Old 02-17-09, 08:39 AM
  #18  
gwd
Biker
 
gwd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917

Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Luis Vivanco
Aside from the point made earlier that what you do with them will seem normal (at least for the early years), it also depends on how your friends, neighbors, and other people in your community regard bikes. (You can take this to the bank--as a cultural anthropologist I can tell you this is how cultures work everywhere )

......
Good point. For many kids the TV is their culture and the TV I've seen over at friend's places represents bikes as a conspicuous leisure item or in rare cases to symbolize a looser like the mean woman in the first part of the Wizard of OZ. Where I live in the city enough families get around by bike that it isn't so weird.
gwd is offline  
Old 02-17-09, 02:08 PM
  #19  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Luis Vivanco
... it also depends on how your friends, neighbors, and other people in your community regard bikes. (You can take this to the bank--as a cultural anthropologist I can tell you this is how cultures work everywhere )
I completely agree, but right now, there are few opportunities for my girls to see anyone other than me cycling as a means of transportation. When the weather's good they can see plenty of people riding recreationally (is that a word?), and I'm glad for that. I can work to change the cycling habits of my neighbors and I do talk regularly to people about it, but in the meantime, I want to be as positive an influence as I can be.

So, here's what I'm doing:
  • I ride to work year round, even in -25 and a headwind, because I want to model that it's an appropriate means of personal transportation.
  • We don't watch commercial television. Not just because of the heavy car centrism, there are legions of horrible messages that I'm incapable of counteracting, so we don't participate. (on a side note, it makes me feel as if we're doing something right when my 3 yr old sees a McDonalds' sign and says, "Daddy I see a big 'M'.")
  • I'm getting involved in the local bike planning.
  • We travel by bike whenever we can, which means when the weather allows. Riding in the middle of winter can be unsafe and the kids aren't old enough to mitigate those risks yet.

Here's what I plan on doing:
  • Get my kids on trikes, run bikes and bikes as soon as they're ready.
  • Travel with them by bike as much as possible.
  • Talk to them about the available transportation options when it comes up, cars included.

Here's what I want to do, but I'm having trouble with the right resources (hence this thread):
  • Provide them with some toy bicycles to fuel their imaginations in this arena,
  • Find some good books that feature bicycling, especially if they represent adults cycling.
  • Get a few TV programs or movies that feature cycling in a positive light.

I have found a few bibliographies and compiled them, maybe fifteen, twenty titles, I'll put them in another post.
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-17-09, 02:26 PM
  #20  
Knotwright
Thread Starter
 
dondonaldo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Crosse, WI
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bibliography of Kids Bike Titles

So here's a book list of kids bike titles:

Bicycle Rider by Mary Scioscia, Harper & Row, Publishers Inc., New York, NY 1983The story of champion bicyclist Marshall Taylor, who was the first African-American to participate in integrated national bicycle racing and become a champion.

A Great Bicycle Book by Jane Sarnoff and Reynold Ruffins, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY 1973A book to help you take care of, repair, enjoy and learn about your bicycle.

The Bicycle & How It Works by David Inglis Urquhart, illustrated by Enrico Arno, Henry Z. Walck, Inc., New York, NY 1972An explanation of what all the pieces of your bicycle do and the history of how they developed.

Franklin Rides a Bike by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark, Scholastic Inc., New York, NY 1997 Franklin, the turtle, wobbbles and falls off but learns to ride his bike.

Bicycle Book by Gail Gibbons, Holiday House, New York, NY,1995 Another book about the history and use of the bicycle in very easy to read form.
My Bike by Donna Jakob, illustrated by Nelle Davis, Hyperion Books for Children, New York, NY 1994 Yesterday the hero of this easy to read book fell off a lot but today was different...

Bear on a Bike by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter, Barefoot Books, Inc., New York, NY 1998 The fun to read, and beautifully illustrated, story of a bear that starts out on a bike but goes to many locations around the world by various methods of transportation.

Summer Wheels by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Thomas B. Allen, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, New York, NY 1992 The Bicycle Man fixes up old bikes and lends them to the neighborhood kids for free as long as they follow two rules, but one boy doesn't follow the rules.

The Bicycle Man by Allen Say, Parnassus Press, Houghton Mifflin Co. Oakland, CA 1982wo American soldiers show up on Sportsday at a small school in post World War II Japan and show off their bicycle riding skills, as told by the author who was there that day when he was a child.

The Bear's Bicycle by Emilie Warren McLeod with illustrations by David McPhail/ published 1975 by Little, Brown and Co. So there's this kid, and he has a stuffed bear, and they take a bike ride... with the little bear transforming into a big, real bear to ride his own way-too-tiny training-wheeled trike. (Am not sure if the boy himself imagines the bear riding the bike or if there is a little magic involved.) Through the journey, the bear and the boy show us all the dos and don'ts of bike safety and etiquette.
Of Course Polly Can Ride a Bike (1971), by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (of Pippi Longstocking fame) and illustrated by Ilon Wikland. Polly’s fifth birthday and though she wants a real, two-wheeled bicycle, she gets instead a perfectly nice assortment of birthday presents. But she’s angry, and she swears that if she doesn’t get a real bike she’s going to steal one.

Sally Jean, The Bicycle Queen by Cari Best Sally Jean loved tricycles and bicycles from the time she was a toddler. Every year she learned more tricks and more about how her old garage-sale bike named Flash worked. She had to work on it often and had to raise the seat and handlebars, too. When she got too big for it, she helped other kids by showing them how to fix their bikes. She started saving pennies for another bicycle. Her kindness to others is repaid when a kindly junk man helps her.

Bailey’s Bike by Lori MortensenIllustrations by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt Bailey loves to ride his bike. When he is riding his bike, he can pretend to be anything he imagines. Sometimes when he is riding his bike he pretends that he is a race car driver or a safari hunter driving a jeep to find lions. Sometimes he is a circus performer on a high wire, a truck driver driving across the country, or a cowboy on a horse. Other times, Bailey pretends that he is a pilot, a taxi driver, or a pirate searching for treasures in the sea. Even when he is just Bailey riding his bike, he is having a great time. All children will be able to relate to this book, and the colorful pictures and action filled pages will keep children entertained. This book is part of the red level of the “Read-it! Readers” series. The red level features familiar topics and repeating sentence patterns. At the end of the book, the author provides a list of other book titles that are included in the red level of the “Read-it! Readers” series. A web site is also listed which the reader can use to find additional information related to topics in the book. The web sites have been researched by a member of the educational staff to ensure the sites are safe and appropriate. Great book for beginner readers! 2008, Picture Window Books/Coughlan Publishing Company, Ages 4 to 8, $19.93. Reviewer: Melissa Hower

Bicycle Safety by Sue Barraclough In twenty-four pages, Barraclough offers young children some basic tips about safely riding a bicycle. The book has a pattern as do the others in the “Stay Safe” series. It sets the stage with “Riding a bicycle is fun,” and follows it with a question, “Do you know how to stay safe?” The spreads that follow provide a negative example/answer on the left hand page and a positive/correct answer on the right hand page. For example, “Never ride a bicycle that is too big,” which shows a boy whose feet cannot touch the ground. The correct example shows a girl seated on a bike wither her feet firmly placed on the ground. The book ends with a recap of all the safety rules that appeared in the book. There is also a picture glossary, an index page, and a note to parents and teachers. The book also introduces a multiethnic group of kids and other individuals in its pictures--a subtle message, which goes along with the stronger lesson relating to bicycle safety. 2008, Heinemann, $20.71. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).

Bicycling by Valerie Bodden Did you know that the first bicycles ever made were wooden and did not have pedals? People pushed them with their feet! Bicycles have been around for a long time, and today people ride all types of bikes. The book describes three types of bicycles: touring, off-road, and BMX. There are many differences between the three types of bikes. The book also shows the races in which each type of bicycle can participate. Helmets are emphasized, and every picture shows someone who is wearing a helmet. The last part of the book talks about the importance of always wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. The book contains 23 pages, and the text is large so early and middle readers can sound out unfamiliar words. One word has its phonetic spelling next to it, to help with pronunciation. The back page contains a short index and a glossary. Each page of the book contains photographs that are large and sharp. This is one in a series of four books on “Active Sports.” This will be a good addition to a library. 2008, Creative Education, $24.25. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
First Among Losers by Robin and Chris Lawrie Illustrated by Robin Lawrie The Ridge Riders are a group of friends (Slam, Dozy, Larry, Fiona and Andy) who love mountain biking. Development has forced them to move their courses to another part of the hill near an old rock quarry. The courses are pretty cool because they had to build a lot of aerial jumps to cross the rocky ground. Aptly named, the most difficult jump is called “The Dragon,” as the end of it has been made to look like a looming, open mouth. A boy named Punk, the friends’ chief rival, always has the newest bike technology, since his dad is in the business. But will that be enough to win the big race? The illustrations are bright and “cartoony.” Speech bubbles keep the story moving while reading like a comic book. An admirable lesson to be learned from the story is that it is no fun to win if your opponent is not on level playing ground. Helping out one’s rivals can lead to a more exciting race in the end. Items included at the back of the book are a glossary, internet sites, discussion questions, and reading prompts. The authors, who live in England, wrote the “Ridge Rider” books together for their son. Many of the books are based on adventures he and his friends had while biking. Recommended. 2007 (orig. 2004), Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan (Children's Literature).

Grandpa's Boneshaker Bicycle by Colin West Grandpa is a collector of a vast number of objects stored in his home. Although the items are considered interesting, they are useless. Through the perspective of the grandson, the story is revealed. The grandson discovers his grandfather’s very old “boneshaker” bicycle. The grandson convinces his grandfather about the advantages of the bicycle. The two of them begin to clean the bike and get it back into working condition. Grandpa is able to ride the bike, with the exception that the uphill pedaling is strenuous. One day the pair travel on their bikes to a rummage sale where a stranger is interested in purchasing Grandpa’s bicycle. Despite the monetary offer that grows from $25 to $250 for the bike, Grandpa refuses to sell. The stranger, an owner of a bicycle museum and shop, hands them his business card. The following day, the grandfather leads and directs the bike ride with his grandson to the Cycle Museum where the story takes an interesting turn. Between sections of the story are illustrations with the characters’ dialogue that work with the sequence or flow of the story. This book is part of the “Read-it! Chapter Books” series. 1999, Picture Window Books, $21.26. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung

Madison and the Two Wheeler Vanita Braver Illustrated by Carl DiRocco You do not need to read the cover blurb to recognize that this book is formulaic--a child solves an everyday problem “with the help of parents and stuffed animal friends.” Five year old Madison’s problem is that her first efforts to ride a two-wheeler end in a fall. At first Madison resists any attempts to try again. But between her mother, her toy bluebird called Hope, and a challenge from her friend Emily, Madison comes to the obvious solution--to simply pick herself up and try again. Just in case anyone might have missed the point, Madison’s father praises her persistence. DiRocco’s watercolor illustrations are the best part of this book. There is a more playful feel to them than to the quite labored language. They help bring to life the analogy made between the baby birds who are beginning to fly and Madison’s eventual success in riding without training wheels. 2008, Star Bright Books, $15.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's

Martin Bridge in High Gear! By Jessica Scott Kerrin Illustrated by Joseph Kelly Martin Bridge is back! This time, he is in two engaging stories. In the first, Mrs. Keenan has assigned Martin’s class a science fair project. It is a group project and, to mix things up, she asks Gibson to work with Martin and his friends. Gibson is one of those kids who is just plain lucky. Here, his luck seems to be getting him out of doing any real work on the project. It is not fair! Is there anything Martin can do about a classmate who is not doing his share? In the second story, Martin finally gets a brand-new bike! Off to the grocery store on an errand for his mom, Martin comes out of the store to find that someone has cut the lock and stolen his bike. It is going to be a long time before there’s enough money to buy another. Then his Mom learns about Recycle Bicycle; it is a program in which a retired police officer makes “new” bikes from the parts of old ones and gives them to kids from families in need. Martin volunteers to work with Mr. Darby if he will help Martin rebuild a bike of his own. But on the day his bike is ready, Martin is faced with a very tough decision. A wonderful addition to school and classroom libraries that is sure to be enjoyed by independent readers, this would be a great read-aloud for any class starting a group project! Illustrated with charcoal drawings. 2008, Kids Can Press, $14.95. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen

Race of a Lifetime by Tony Norman Illustrated by Paul Savage Jaime’s favorite pastime is riding his bike; he also uses it to deliver papers for his part-time job. But Jaime’s bike is falling apart and while he would love to buy a new racing bike, his large family cannot afford it. Unfortunately, neither can he! One day a mysterious e-mail arrives, leading him to an advertisement for a second-hand bike that he can afford and that would be perfect for him. It could not have been more timely, as the big town bike race is soon to be upon them. But when Jaime’s bike is stolen, it appears that he is out of the race. Or is he? Simple pen-and-ink illustrations accompany the no more than six-page-apiece chapters. Along with the often found glossary, Internet sites, and suggestions for further reading are discussion questions and writing prompts that would be useful in an Accelerated Reader-type of program. A believable and resonant portrayal of a brother and sister relationship, conflict resolution and goal setting--all are topics examined in this chapter book that is perfectly appropriate for the intended age level. The author and illustrator both live in England. Recommended. 2007 (orig. 2002), Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan

Radar Riders by Robin and Chris Lawrie Illustrated by Robin Lawrie Slam and his group of bike-riding friends call themselves the “Ridge Riders.” When a company purchases the land where they love to ride, the Ridge Riders must use all their creativity to come up with a way to build a racecourse through an old quarry. Recycling old building materials, they create a fantastic, thrilling course. In fact, it is just a little too thrilling for Larry who begins to think that he is a horrible rider after one too many crashes. Dozy comes up with an ingenious solution by creating a “soundtrack” for the course to help Larry visualize the turns and jumps he needs to make and when to do them--in essence, helping him “see with his ears.” As Larry listens to the music over and over again, he begins to improve; however, Andy, who is deaf, begins to think that his friends have an unfair advantage with their soundtrack. On race day, the group discovers at the last minute that the course has been changed, and Andy, who cannot rely on his sense of sound, comes in victorious. This graphic novel weaves together several different conflicts, emphasizing how this group of friends helps one another. The subject matter will appeal to active youngsters, while the theme allows teachers and parents to talk about overcoming fears, helping friends, and appreciating diverse abilities. 2000, Stone Arch Books, $19.93. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Leah Hanson (Children's Literature).

Yuki's Ride Home by Manya Tessler This is a satisfying story of a young Japanese girl's relationship with her grandma, and of the challenges the child faces on her first solo trip home from grandma's house. Yuki rides her bike across the bridge to grandma's little island home where she spends a special day making origami animals, feeding the koi, playing with grandma's pets, enjoying noodle soup, and, finally, listening to the night music at sunset. When the fog rolls in, threatening to spoil Yuki's plan to ride home alone, she finds the courage to complete her trip, with grandma's pets accompanying her for part of the journey. Warm, caring relationships and universal emotions are portrayed in this appealing book, which also gives readers a view into another culture. Pencil, patterned paper, and digital techniques are melded together beautifully to create the unusual artwork. The colors are vibrant and clear, and the characters are skillfully drawn to show the love and emotions shared. A variety of perspective also adds interest; one delightful page shows Grandma's and Yuki's faces reflected in the water as they feed the fish, and on another page a frog's-eye view shows the foggy scene and a matching reflection as Yuki crosses the bridge. This lovely book is a must-have. Highly Recommended. 2008, Bloomsbury Children's Books, 32pp., $16.95 hc.. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Barbara B. Feehrer (Library Media Connection, March 2008)
dondonaldo is offline  
Old 02-18-09, 12:00 AM
  #21  
Pedaled too far.
 
Artkansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
That's an impressive list. It should be a sticky on the family forum.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London

Originally Posted by Bjforrestal
I don't care if you are on a unicycle, as long as you're not using a motor to get places you get props from me. We're here to support each other. Share ideas, and motivate one another to actually keep doing it.
Artkansas is offline  
Old 02-18-09, 12:16 PM
  #22  
Sophomoric Member
 
Roody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dancing in Lansing
Posts: 24,221
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 711 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
When they get a little older, the Boy Scout Manual for the bicycling merit badge is a great resource (even for girls ).

I would read books about pre-automobile culture, like Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Discuss how people used to do everything we do, only without cars. Also you could discuss how great an invention the bike was, and how it would have changed little Laura's life if her family had had bikes.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 02-18-09, 12:17 PM
  #23  
Sophomoric Member
 
Roody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dancing in Lansing
Posts: 24,221
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 711 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by Artkansas
That's an impressive list. It should be a sticky on the family forum.
+1. I would also like to see it copied into the "Winter Reading" sticky on this subforum.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Old 02-18-09, 02:49 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 273
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I was at the library today. You can the Harry and the Dinosaurs series to the list. Harry's family bikes to places like school and the dentist.
rockmom is offline  
Old 02-24-09, 02:54 AM
  #25  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: California
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rockmom
I wanted to add, that for at least the early years, your kids will consider whatever your family does as what's normal. My kids (5 and 8) have been raised car free so they think busing and biking are the way to get around.
We're car-light and I agree with rockmom. Our closest friends are either car-free or car-light as well so our daughter thinks the people who drive everywhere are the oddities. In our small college town we often see groups of high school & college kids riding downtown in pairs and groups, so to her that looks like a perfectly normal way to get around town together. I hope she continues to think that way as she gets older!
zepherine is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.