DogBoy

I'm trying to promote the idea that bikes work well for running errands and getting to places, so I'm doing a lot of riding with my 4 and 7 year olds. I'm looking for advice...road or sidewalks?

I am a believer in riding on the road as my actions are predictable, and drivers can tell what I'm doing and we can all get along, but I get concerned with my 4yo because he's so small on the road. I have taken to riding side-by-side on the road, teaching him about "taking the lane" staying right, watching cars to see if drivers are there, which way to look to check for oncoming traffic etc. He's doing pretty well. Yesterday we had a new experience....the roundabout.

Since he has been doing so well, reading off the stop signs, telling me what yield means, showing me the bike lane etc., we took a longer ride to pick up his sister's tennis equipment, and that meant roundabouts. He did great, stayed with me and we had no issues with vehicular traffic.

We got home and his mom (my wife) flipped out on me. It got me thinking maybe he isn't ready for it, but I justify it to myself saying this is a better way to ride than on the sidewalk, he's learning what to look for, and he is with me. Am I wrong here?

As an aside, after we did that we rode our bikes to his t-ball game and got soaked on the way home. He told me "that wasn't very fun getting soaked." So I said to him..."don't you like playing and splashing in the rain?" He responded "Oh YEAH! That IS FUN!" Later, at dinner we always aske the best thing that happend to us during the day and he said..."Riding my bike in the rain."

So, do I stay the course, or move to the sidewalks and teach the roadways later? Thanks for your input.