Biking with kids
 

Today I was riding bikes with my 5 year old, and he keeps drifting to the wrong side of the road. Any suggestions on how to keep him on the right side of the road?

Dave

I'm afraid not. The best that you can do is move to Great Britain.

Maybe roads aren't the best place for your 5 year old. At that age, my kids were riding on bike paths and we drove to them. At 5, any kid is unpredictable and in this case, you've noticed at least one bad habit. Let him ride where this isn't so much of an issue and let maturity take its course, it won't take too long.

In my view, 5 is pretty young for being on roads. I'd suggest starting with the sidewalk, or bike paths.

Ride two abreast, maybe, with him on the inside. Stay off the big streets.

Get him a shocking dog coller.
Cheers,
David
Way up North

You might find similar threads in the Recreation and Family section. Even having your child ride exclusively on bike paths might not be the best solution as there are other users (riding or walking) who could be endangered by his wandering across lanes. I'd suggest taking him to a deserted parking lot and teaching him to ride in a straight line. It may take more than a decade though. I ride with older boys who are earning the Cycling Merit Badge and even though they are at least 11 years old, some of them never seem to get the message "Ride in a straight line!" It's really annoying and potentially dangerous as other cyclists sometimes come wooshing past from behind without warning.

right, be the bumper

To clarify, I don't take him on regular roads. What I meant was the "roads" in our apartment complex, which is pretty large. There are hardly ever any cars, and most slow down when they see him. Going to put a light on his bike too for extra visibility. Usually i'm the "bumper" but it takes a lot of re-routing. We do have some bike paths too, which he likes riding. It is fun because he usually has a fan club cheering him on. Awesome people!

Dave

I don't even cycle on roads, i certainly ain't letting my 6yo cycle on one.

If he's in no danger, this may be one of those things that resolves itself suddenly. My kids went through some "quantum leap" moments in their cycling skills, as in other aspects of their lives. It's fascinating to watch them develop.

Actually, that sounds like a pretty good place to teach him some road sense. Unfortunately, kids can only learn this stuff by experience... assuming they survive the experience.

When he drifts to the left, the ride is over. Go home and make him eat his vegetables.

Eventually he'll get the hint.

This is what I did too. The first season was rough of him being all over the place not paying attention to what was going on around him, driving on the bike path from side to side. With some reminders and coaching but the end of the first year he was really good about it. But as kids they need to be reminded from time to time. Then every spring there is a couple week learning curve again just because they are so excited to get out again but doesn't take long.

Patient teaching and never to anger goes along way kids. They aren't wired for safety yet....wired for fun. It will come

I think I had to keep telling my son to ride on the right, and normally we rode two abreast with me on the inside and him on the side of the road. Now that he's 8 I'm pretty sure he remembers but we'll see come spring. My 6-year-old daughter is another story and I hope to get her off training wheels this year.

There are certain roads that are fine for 5 year olds to be on in the presence of an adult. I have a hunch if the kid drifted across the center and the OP made him walk his bike home the problem would go away PDQ. Another way to deal with it would be for you to beside him with him on the curb side. Until he gets better at holding a line, just pull over when cars come from any direction.