Comments on: Tips for biking with kids http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/ The Online Magazine of Austin Cycling Culture Tue, 15 May 2012 00:59:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Natalie Brewer http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-2774 Natalie Brewer Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:32:22 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-2774 Austin Cycling Association Celebrates the 15th Annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic Proceeds allow ACA to provide free helmets for children, along with helmet fittings and safety training classes Austin Cycling Association (ACA), a nonprofit organization that serves the interests of Central Texas cyclists, invites bike riders to join them in the 15th annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic. The Armadillo Hill Country Classic will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009, and allows cyclists to tour the Highland Lake and Hill Country area northwest of Austin with some of Central Texas most experienced bikers. Proceeds from the event provide free helmets, fittings and safety training classes for children. “The Armadillo Hill Country Classic not only offers cyclists the opportunity to experience the best biking terrain in the Central Texas area, but it also allows ACA to partner with cyclists and volunteers to help children learn about bike safety,” said Stanton Truxillo, president of the ACA. “ACA is energized by community volunteers and people interested in getting the word out about biking. ACA is continuously looking for support for this ride to further safety education for children and cycling in Central Texas area.” The Austin Cycling Association purchases helmets during the year and gives them to Central Texas children through schools, PTA's, Scouts and church groups. The helmets are given to kids and then fit to their exact measurements for a personalized helmet and given bicycle safety training. The Armadillo Hill Country Classic begins at Liberty Hill High School, located at 13125 W Hwy 29, and features route distances ranging from 14 to 105 miles, as well as a 6.5-mile Kids & Family Ride in Bertram, where kids ride free with a parent or guardian. All routes are fully supported with rest stops that offer water, sports drinks and high carbohydrate solid foods. ACA will also offer experienced support and gear (SAG) vehicles will be available to support cyclists with mechanical or other needs. The use of cycling helmets is supported by many organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the American National Safety Council. ACA recommends helmets for all cyclists that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle helmet standard, fits properly, be light in weight and provide adequate ventilation. About Austin Cycling Association Austin Cycling Association (ACA), a 501©3 non-profit, is the only cycling organization that serves the interests of all Central Texas cyclists regardless of age, ability and cycling preference. ACA provides safety, education and advocacy through various initiatives, such as outreach to elected officials in the promotion of cycling, educating the public about the rights and responsibilities of cyclists, and hosting rides – the most prominent being the Armadillo Hill Country Classic, its annual fundraising ride to provide free helmets for children, which the ACA delivers along with helmet fittings and safety training classes. For more information, visit www.austincycling.org. Austin Cycling Association Celebrates the 15th Annual
Armadillo Hill Country Classic

Proceeds allow ACA to provide free helmets for children, along with helmet fittings and safety training classes

Austin Cycling Association (ACA), a nonprofit organization that serves the interests of Central Texas cyclists, invites bike riders to join them in the 15th annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic.

The Armadillo Hill Country Classic will be held Saturday, May 9, 2009, and allows cyclists to tour the Highland Lake and Hill Country area northwest of Austin with some of Central Texas most experienced bikers. Proceeds from the event provide free helmets, fittings and safety training classes for children.

“The Armadillo Hill Country Classic not only offers cyclists the opportunity to experience the best biking terrain in the Central Texas area, but it also allows ACA to partner with cyclists and volunteers to help children learn about bike safety,” said Stanton Truxillo, president of the ACA. “ACA is energized by community volunteers and people interested in getting the word out about biking. ACA is continuously looking for support for this ride to further safety education for children and cycling in Central Texas area.”

The Austin Cycling Association purchases helmets during the year and gives them to Central Texas children through schools, PTA’s, Scouts and church groups. The helmets are given to kids and then fit to their exact measurements for a personalized helmet and given bicycle safety training.

The Armadillo Hill Country Classic begins at Liberty Hill High School, located at 13125 W Hwy 29, and features route distances ranging from 14 to 105 miles, as well as a 6.5-mile Kids & Family Ride in Bertram, where kids ride free with a parent or guardian. All routes are fully supported with rest stops that offer water, sports drinks and high carbohydrate solid foods. ACA will also offer experienced support and gear (SAG) vehicles will be available to support cyclists with mechanical or other needs.

The use of cycling helmets is supported by many organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the American National Safety Council. ACA recommends helmets for all cyclists that meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle helmet standard, fits properly, be light in weight and provide adequate ventilation.

About Austin Cycling Association

Austin Cycling Association (ACA), a 501©3 non-profit, is the only cycling organization that serves the interests of all Central Texas cyclists regardless of age, ability and cycling preference. ACA provides safety, education and advocacy through various initiatives, such as outreach to elected officials in the promotion of cycling, educating the public about the rights and responsibilities of cyclists, and hosting rides – the most prominent being the Armadillo Hill Country Classic, its annual fundraising ride to provide free helmets for children, which the ACA delivers along with helmet fittings and safety training classes.

For more information, visit http://www.austincycling.org.

]]> By: Kids Bike Helmets http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Kids Bike Helmets Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:46:52 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-1555 Very nice post. Thank you! Very nice post. Thank you!

]]> By: Mike S http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-1273 Mike S Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:57:48 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-1273 Co-motion also makes a triple periscope...and our even upgrades to a quad :) see our last multi-day bike tour with the kids: http://veraprise.com/bikeVA2008/ Co-motion also makes a triple periscope…and our even upgrades to a quad :)
see our last multi-day bike tour with the kids: http://veraprise.com/bikeVA2008/

]]> By: elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-226 elliott Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:18:16 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-226 Thanks for the info, BAW. I've added those bike builders to the article. Thanks for the info, BAW. I’ve added those bike builders to the article.

]]> By: BAW http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-222 BAW Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:30:48 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-222 You said that there are no "long Johns" made in the US. What about Human Powered Machines (www.catoregon.org/hpm) and Bilenky (http://www.bilenky.com/Bilenky_Models.html)? You said that there are no “long Johns” made in the US.

What about Human Powered Machines (www.catoregon.org/hpm) and Bilenky (http://www.bilenky.com/Bilenky_Models.html)?

]]> By: elliott http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-176 elliott Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:13:39 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-176 Great site. I've added it to our links section. Great site. I’ve added it to our links section.

]]> By: family on bikes http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-175 family on bikes Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:43:33 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-175 Great article!! I'm always excited reading things that encourage people to get out on their bikes with their kids. We didn't ride with our twins when they were little - we were living in Ethiopia at the time and we didn't feel good about taking them out on those roads. However, when they were seven we started doing short 2 - 5 day tours with the boys on tandems, which was great. The problem with it was that I went so much slower than my husband, so the kid on my bike didn't get a break like the other one did. We finally decided to get a bicycle for three and do a major tour that way. John and the kids rode the triple while I had my single - it was a great equalizer and the kids had a constant companion to talk with!! We toured for an entire year that way. Now our boys are 10 and one of them has graduated to his own bike, while the other one is content to stay on the back of a tandem. We're currently riding from Alaska to Argentina - woo hoo!! We've come over 3000 miles so far and are having a blast! Nancy www.familyonbikes.org Great article!! I’m always excited reading things that encourage people to get out on their bikes with their kids.

We didn’t ride with our twins when they were little – we were living in Ethiopia at the time and we didn’t feel good about taking them out on those roads. However, when they were seven we started doing short 2 – 5 day tours with the boys on tandems, which was great. The problem with it was that I went so much slower than my husband, so the kid on my bike didn’t get a break like the other one did.

We finally decided to get a bicycle for three and do a major tour that way. John and the kids rode the triple while I had my single – it was a great equalizer and the kids had a constant companion to talk with!! We toured for an entire year that way.

Now our boys are 10 and one of them has graduated to his own bike, while the other one is content to stay on the back of a tandem. We’re currently riding from Alaska to Argentina – woo hoo!! We’ve come over 3000 miles so far and are having a blast!

Nancy
http://www.familyonbikes.org

]]> By: marcus http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-119 marcus Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:47:09 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-119 That's an interesting disclaimer... I wonder where the diving line between "regular" urban traffic and "heavy" urban traffic is. I figure you may actually have a lot better cycling experience in heavier traffic, depending on the road. I think some of the scariest places to ride are suburban and semi-suburban areas where there are 3 or more lanes in each direction and the traffic is just way too fast. That’s an interesting disclaimer… I wonder where the diving line between “regular” urban traffic and “heavy” urban traffic is. I figure you may actually have a lot better cycling experience in heavier traffic, depending on the road. I think some of the scariest places to ride are suburban and semi-suburban areas where there are 3 or more lanes in each direction and the traffic is just way too fast.

]]> By: Justyna http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Justyna Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:23:32 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-116 Alinora, If you plan on doing a lot of biking with your child(ren), please find a shop that is supportive of your endeavors. As a bike retailer, I can tell you it with make both your biking and shopping experience much more enjoyable. I don't know where you live: dense urban area or a smaller community. Burley, one of the trailer manufacturers, has a disclaimer in their manual, that the product is not recommended for heavy urban traffic. That doesn't mean you can't use the product in an urban setting anyway, as long as you use some common sense and caution along with it. Wherever you live, choose quieter but well-lit roads, with plenty of shoulder space. On those types of streets, and on recreational bike paths, trailers generally beat the bike seats hands down for safety (the trailer stays upright if you fall) and comfort (plenty of elbow room, space for toys and snacks, room for a nap). Find a shop that will sell you, and help you with advice and services for the product you want. Alinora,
If you plan on doing a lot of biking with your child(ren), please find a shop that is supportive of your endeavors. As a bike retailer, I can tell you it with make both your biking and shopping experience much more enjoyable.
I don’t know where you live: dense urban area or a smaller community. Burley, one of the trailer manufacturers, has a disclaimer in their manual, that the product is not recommended for heavy urban traffic. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the product in an urban setting anyway, as long as you use some common sense and caution along with it. Wherever you live, choose quieter but well-lit roads, with plenty of shoulder space. On those types of streets, and on recreational bike paths, trailers generally beat the bike seats hands down for safety (the trailer stays upright if you fall) and comfort (plenty of elbow room, space for toys and snacks, room for a nap).
Find a shop that will sell you, and help you with advice and services for the product you want.

]]> By: alianora http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/09/03/tips-for-biking-with-kids/comment-page-1/#comment-113 alianora Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:50:06 +0000 http://austinbikeblog.org/?p=528#comment-113 I've been looking into getting a bike, and was talking to one of the bike shop owners here where I live. He was very discouraging about the kid trailer. They also rent bikes, and he said insurance wouldn't let them rent the trailers, only the kid bike seats. I still think I would feel safer with my 16 month old in a trailer. If he was in a bike seat, I would be really stressed about losing my balance and both of us toppling over! I’ve been looking into getting a bike, and was talking to one of the bike shop owners here where I live. He was very discouraging about the kid trailer. They also rent bikes, and he said insurance wouldn’t let them rent the trailers, only the kid bike seats.

I still think I would feel safer with my 16 month old in a trailer. If he was in a bike seat, I would be really stressed about losing my balance and both of us toppling over!

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