Tag: bike safety

What to look for in a 2nd hand bike

Family Bike Riding

You can get some real bargains on various second hand market sites (Facebook/community pages/Gumtree to name a few) – here are some things to keep in mind: Suitable for your purpose – it might be a bargain, but is is what you are looking for? … are you wanting a get around town bike – or a ‘faster’ bike bike a road bike Do the ABCDE check Does it fit you – do you feel confident getting on/off, stopping/starting, riding it, does it make your sore? After the ABCDE check – are you happy to take it to your local Bike…

The A-B-C-D-E Bike Check

Adult Bike Riding Family Bike Riding

A is for AIR  Are the tyres pumped to correct pressure—stamped onto side wall of tyre Adult Bikes: Hybrid Bikes 40-70PSI, Knobbly Mountain Bike tyres: 50-80 PSI Road Bike tyres: 90-110PSI Kids bikes: Little kids 30-40PSI, Pre teens: 40-60PSI Also check the tyres for signs of wear in the tread or crack on the side walls B is for BRAKES Do both brakes stop the bike when applied, yet leave a gap at handlebar Are the brakes allowing the bike wheel to roll freely (not rubbing) C is for CHAIN Is the chain able to spin backwards freely—if not check…

What do I mean by ‘good quality’ bikes?

Family Bike Riding

  Weight, Gearing, Fit for Family/Purpose.  Weight – Your child isn’t as strong as an adult – or even a teen  – give them a hand and allow them to ride something light.  Recently in a school program we came across a bike that was 22.5kg, now considering the 11yo owner  was approx 40kg, this bike was more than half his body weight – think of yourself having to ride such a bike. It will be hard and the child will struggle and COMPLAIN – go lighter weight for your sanity!! A VERY loose rule of thumb that I’ve worked out…

Y’ve Gotta Have ‘Heart’

Family Bike Riding

When working with children in our learn to ride lessons it is often the case that I’m teaching a child aged 5-8 yo and for the majority they are open to learning new experiences – as this is what most of their life is about. Yet when I am asked to teach children 10+ it’s when I see children at their ‘rawest’ for kids at this age ‘know that they can’t ride’ and in their opinion this is something they will never be able to do. Then they meet Ride-a-Bike Right instructors. Last week, we started our 4wk cycling skills…

Which Helmet Do I Buy?

Family Bike Riding

Many people get confused between the 3 styles of helmets available to buy Bike helmet, Skater Style Helmet (‘bucket’) and, Skate Helmet (‘bucket’) 1 – Bike helmets have in Australia have been tested to the Standard AS/NZS 2063. These are the helmets legally required for riders on bikes.Hard shell, usually lots of ventilation holes, polyurethane foam inner and padding. 2 – Skater Style helmets are those that look like a Skate helmet but are actually bike helmets with the rating AS/NZS 2063. Hard shell, a few ventilation holes, polyurethane foam inner and padding. 3 – A SKATE helmet has a…

Get them the Right Bike for Christmas

Family Bike Riding

Bike for kids – analysis (816kb) The year is hurrying along and I’m sure several of you are already getting a “Santa’s List” and many may include the ever popular new bike. Having taught many children over my time as a cycling instructor, I always feel the pleasure for children as they say when/where they got their wheels, but all too often it is bike that is not suitable for the child’s height or weight. Size: while kids might be able to wear a jumper that they can grow into, a bike is not the same. Children need to be…

Effecting Change to One Person’s Life

Adult Bike Riding Family Bike Riding

Sometimes we are unaware of the impact that we have on others we interact with. I know that through my teaching of cycling skills with Ride-a-Bike Right I really do make a difference in confidence and safety in the general cycling population, whether by teaching the fundamental cycling skills so an 8 year old can be equal with his/her peers and ride a bike, or opening up a new fitness possibilities for adults who’ve not been active in a while – all these changes in my clients lives are lovely to be part of. Last week I heard of a…