May is National Bike Month, and bikes are a fantastic way to get around NYC. You don’t have to sit in a car in traffic all day or navigate New York sidewalks on foot. For families, biking together can be a fun way for everyone to explore the city and get some exercise. There are some important things to know before you get behind the handlebars with your child.
Know the Laws
First and foremost, it’s important to know the laws for biking in the city, especially if you have a young one strapped in with you. First of all, children under one year of age cannot ride on a bicycle under any circumstance, including being strapped into a bike seat with a parent. All children under 13 must wear a helmet, whether they are riding with mom and dad, or solo (in fact, the Department of Transportation recommends all riders wear a helmet, regardless of age). Bikes are not allowed to be ridden on sidewalks unless the rider is 12 or younger. Legally, a bike is usually treated like a car, so always ride with traffic, obey driving laws such as stopping at red lights and obeying traffic signs, and know your surroundings like you were behind the wheel. Many streets have designated bike lanes – use them whenever possible. NYC law requires all bikes to have a white headlight and red tail light, along with a bell.
Getting the Right Gear
Biking by yourself can be nerve-wracking enough, let alone with your most precious commodity in tow. Child seats can be attached in front of the main seat, so your child is nestled against your torso, or behind the main seat, which lets the child see more as they ride. The front seat should only be used for younger and smaller children – if they’re too big, they might block your vision or interfere with pedaling the bike. It is vital to make sure the seat is attached securely to your bike–the wrong seat won’t fit correctly and will not be safe. Finding the right child seat is imperative–you want it to be safe but not so restrictive or heavy that it ruins the ride. Here are a few options that we recommend.
The Peg Perego Orion child seat fits nicely in front of you and behind the handlebars, keeping your child close and protected. The red and grey colors are very visible to drivers and pedestrians alike, the straps hold tightly to the frame of the bike and the cushion is comfy and weatherproof for a fantastic ride.
The Yepp Maxi child seat is a bit pricier. However, it earns the higher price tag with sleek designs and a five-point safety harness that keeps your child safe while not restricting his or her view of the city whizzing by. You can get the Yepp Maxi in your choice of colors, including orange and light blue.
For older kids who can’t quite ride on their own but don’t want to be strapped in, the Tyke Toter Front Mount can carry up to 45 pounds, and has a universal attachment to fit to all bikes. The seat has handlebars and foot rests so your toddler can get practice balancing. This is not perfect for everyone, as it’s only suitable for kids who can balance on their own and don’t need to be strapped in quite so heavily, but it’s a great way to help kids practice sitting as they would on a their own bike.
Where Should We Bike?
For beginner riders, it is definitely recommended that you stick to parks or biking-specific areas. Central Park, Prospect Park and Pier 54, along with dozens of other parks, have fantastic paths for biking families of different skill levels, and usually have playgrounds or rest areas as well. You can check out some of our favorites spots to bike here.
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NYCbikemaps.com also provides a very handy guide to bike paths, greenways, and bike lanes in the five boroughs.
Tips and Tricks
Once you get used to riding with your kids, you’ll find new ideas that make the ride safer and more fun. Joanna Goddard, who runs the blog Cup of Jo, reports that her kids sing songs from “The Sound of Music!” She points out some other important things to keep in mind when you start biking with your kids. For instance, she recommends having a double kickstand on your bike, to keep it steady while you load and unload your children. She also recommends purchasing all gear, including bike seats and helmets, in person at a shop as opposed to online. That way, professionals can make sure all equipment is properly fitted, and the child seats are attached correctly.
Done safely and correctly, biking with your children will become a treasured family pastime. Get some snacks, head to the park or just go around the block a few times – you and your children will fall love with biking in the Big Apple!
