Those who love to ride their bike up and down mountain trails might be wondering when they can teach their kids to join them. Is a mountain bike appropriate for a child and, if so, what age should they be introduced to this type of biking?
Why Mountain Biking is Great for Kids
It is no secret that most children love to ride bikes. But while many parents are content with teaching their kids to simply ride a bike around their local neighborhood, there are those who want their childrento be passionate about riding.They think that teaching them to mountain bike is a fantastic way to do this. Mountain biking is the ideal bonding experience for parent and child and will encourage kids to spend less time in front of a computer screen and more in the great outdoors. Individuals who mountain bike learn to appreciate nature; and it definitely boosts the mood.
So, there are definitely some compelling reasons to teach your child how to mountain, bike but is it an easy skill to learn?
At What Age Can Children Learn to Mountain Bike?
There is no point in taking a young toddler up your favorite bike trail and trying to teach them to ride up there. It is important that your child learns the basics and is confident on a bike before trying mountain biking. Furthermore, you probably won’t find a suitable mountain bike for kids under the age of five. These bikes typically suit those who are a minimum of four feet tall, which for most children starts when they are aged between five and eight.
How to Encourage a Love of Mountain Biking?
Just because you love mountain bikingdoes not mean that your child will too, but you can try to develop a love of the sport from an early age. Something you should also remember is that mountain biking can be quite difficult. The folk at Woom say that for that reasonyou may want to consider getting your child an e-mountain bike, which will make it easier when learning this tough skill.
An e-mountain bike does not pedal for you, despite what many believe. What it does is provide a bit of extra power when required. They have a battery that assists the rider, but once theystop pedalingthe motor stops too. When your child has developed a love of mountain biking, they can move to a non-motorized bike. Nevertheless, many adults will choose an e-mountain bike because of the added power they give.
As your child gets more confident riding on mountain trails, you can introduce an element of healthy competition. You might even find that there are local races that they can sign up for. These events are great fun for the whole family, with food and drink stalls and other events ongoing throughout.
What to Look for in a Good Mountain Bike
When buying a mountain bike for your child, be sure to choose the right size. Your local bike retailer will have plenty of choice and you should be able to get advice about what bike is the best fit for your child. Look for a lightweight bike that will be easier for your child to manage and that will be enjoyable to ride. You might pay more for a lightweight bike, but your kid will thank you for it.
Conclusion
Mountain biking is a great sport that you can enjoy with your child. To make it easier for them to enjoy the sport, consider a lightweight bike or an e-mountain bike.
