While out riding yesterday, I rode by a family of three that looked to be getting started on a family bike ride.
Just as I was about to say hello, the little girl of about seven, said loudly, “Look there goes a biker!†as if to say, see it’s easy – we can do it!
The apparent parents were straddling their bikes, discussing something outside of earshot, but the little girl seemed more than ready to ride.
It’s actually pretty rare where I live to see a family out riding together. For that matter it’s rare to see a group of people out for a casual ride. Come to think of it, it actually isn’t that common to even see kids on bikes anymore.
Yesterday with its perfect weather was the kind of day to enjoy on a bike. Maybe the little girl was the one to suggest to her parents that they should go ride – little girls can be persuasive about biking – as Memorial Day Memory attests.
Whatever the reason, it was nice to see. And, all too unusual unfortunately.
Which brings me back to where I began: Share the Love.
Sharing our love of bikes and biking is one way we can get our non-riding friends and family on bikes. Chances are most of them have a bike or at least have access to one – heck, most of us have several so we could loan them one of ours – until they get the love of bikes bug and get one of their own – or two – or three.
As we all know: you can never have too many bikes. But that’s another blog for another day. For now, share the love.
I was chatting with my student, Levi, today and I just learned that he rides his bike to school. He said the bus was way too slow. I love that Levi has acquired the love of bikes. Kim
Does your school district offer any bike safety classes? I drive a bus and bike to work, no traffic at that time of day. It would be great if schools would incorporate biking into gym class.
John,
I know we participate in the Safe Routes to School program, which includes instruction for bike safety, but I’m not aware of how many schools participate or how many kids they train, etc. On bike to work day there is a bike to school day, but I believe it’s mainly geared at high school aged youth. I agree that incorporating safe biking into gym class would be great, but I don’t get the sense kids attend P.E. classes the way most of us did when we were in public school. Bike rodeos with the younger kids would be good too.
I get the sense too that kids don’t routinely learn to ride a bike the way most of us did growing up. I’ve talked with parents that complain there are no sidewalks for their kids to ride on (in our community that’s true to a large extent) and they don’t want them riding on the street. I completely understand that position, and although I believe sidewalk riding is more dangerous than street riding in general, for children that aren’t very experienced, I believe sidewalk riding is safer. Of course there are other factors as well, but the bottom line is it would be good to see more kids on bikes, as well as adults. I tell myself that when people see the rest of us on bikes (especially just riding around town in non-lycra clothing ;)) the more likely they are to get on a bike themselves. I would love it if more people discovered the joy of biking.
Thanks for the comment, John.
Susan
We need more Levi’s and more safe routes to school! Thanks for the comment, Kim.
One of the blessings of living in an older neighborhood is that it is easy for my family to get out and ride, whether we stay in our neighborhood or venture out farther. It’s fun for my family of five to make a trip to that favorite park that is a couple of miles away from home. My two older children are now to the point that they want more from their rides, like riding to the doughnut shop or to Sweis Greek bakery. I can’t imagine not being able to share my joy of cycling with my family.
That’s wonderful Brian! Thanks for posting about your experience.
Great story, along with the one for Memorial Day! I rode all through grade and HS and stopped in college. When I was about 25, my Mom read about RAGBRAI in Reader’s Digest, and decided “we” (Mom, Dad, Brother, me)should do it. Mom and Dad started doing local “rides” …I remember well the first one I did. About 20 miles on a Trek that only fit so-so. It’s a wonder I kept at it. We all did RAGBRAI in ’85 and she and Dad did it in ’86 and ’87. I became a lifelong rider — when I retire from the USAF next summer, you can be sure that the first criteria will be easy access to riding! BTW, Mom drifted away from biking several years ago — now I’m returning her favor by encouraging her to come back!
Thanks Kim, for sharing your “love of bikes” story. I love hearing how people got started (or “re-started”) into biking. I want to add a page to FTLOB website where people can tell their stories, everyone has one and they are all interesting.
It’s wonderful what your mom started and then as a family you actually did a ride like RAGBRAI. What an experience that must have been!
So touching that you are encouraging your mom to ride again, returning the favor and continuing the cycle. One of my fondest memories as a kid was the Christmas I got a new bike (my first bike) and we all rode together – including my parents. Like you I rode in grade school, not in HS but in college that Sears Freespirit I mention in “Memorial Day Memory” is the bike I got for college because I had no car and lived off-campus. I rode a lot in college but then gave it up after graduation for a car and “real-life”. Ha!
Wonderful story, Kim. Thanks for posting it and best wishes for your retirement next year from the USAF. Hope you will visit again.
Susan