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Most parents will readily admit that finding activities that keep kids healthy, entertained, and away from screens is no easy feat. In fact, a recent survey shows that 71% of parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their kids get and how it might affect their development. Solutions designed to limit screen time range from installing parental control apps to asking children to justify their technology use to establishing elaborate household schedules for device use. 

While it&#;s likely that at least some of these strategies are effective, they&#;re also exhausting for parents to maintain and enforce. Fortunately, there&#;s a simpler solution&#;and one that kids might actually enjoy, too: bicycling. 

When we think of the benefits of bicycle riding, we typically think of its popularity as a form of exercise, or a method of commuting that can help reduce our carbon footprint. These things are all true; however, they&#;re not the whole story. As it turns out, especially for children, bicycling comes with a slew of other benefits. Here&#;s a few reasons why every kid should learn to ride a bike:

Riding a Bike Improves Coordination and Balance

Bicycling is unique in that it not only engages the whole body, but also multiple different parts of the brain. Biking helps to improve motor integration, which involves coordinating complex movements between the brain and muscles. Further, riding a bike requires that children practice proprioception, or conceptualizing where their bodies are in space. Both of these are extremely important for brain development. 

We often hear the phrase &#;like riding a bike,&#; which implies that once a skill has been learned, it&#;s difficult to forget. And while biking does involve a certain amount of muscle memory, suggesting that our sense of balance (which is linked to proprioception) remains constant throughout our lives may not be accurate. On the contrary, balance and proprioception need to be practiced in order to be maintained. 

Biking Gets Kids Outside

In addition to the intrinsic benefits of riding a bike, spending time on bicycles is doubly beneficial as a means of helping children spend more time outside. Playing outdoors has been proven to have a variety of benefits for both kids and adults, including improved mood and reduced stress, higher Vitamin D levels, and increased attention spans. 

Riding Bikes Promotes Kids&#; Self-Confidence and Independence

Learning to ride a bike is difficult. As a result, mastering that skill can boost kids&#; self-confidence and self-esteem. Further, for families who live in neighborhoods where it&#;s safe to do so, riding a bicycle can provide kids with a source of independent transportation, which can increase their sense of agency and independence. Biking also requires that kids learn to be aware of their surroundings and be conscious of safety and road rules. 

Bicycling Keeps Kids Physically Healthy

Childhood obesity continues to be a major problem, and riding a bike is a great way to ensure that kids stay active and healthy. Bicycling is an aerobic exercise that engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs (pedaling), core (stabilization and balance), and arms (steering). Riding a bike regularly builds strength, improves endurance, and increases lung capacity. It&#;s also a low-impact exercise, which makes it a great choice for people (and kids) who need less pressure on their joints. 

Aside from its direct physical benefits, biking is a great way for kids to manage their energy levels. Kids who exercise regularly generally have an easier time focusing and more regular sleep schedules. 

Bikes Provide Opportunities to Socialize

One of the biggest perks of bicycling is that it can be done solo or in groups. Taking a bike ride together is an excellent family bonding activity, and it&#;s also something that kids can do with their friends or siblings. Even better, biking easily allows kids to maintain social distance if necessary. 

All Kids Bike is a national movement dedicated to bringing the mental and physical benefits of bike riding to every kid in America. Led by the Strider Education Foundation, our mission is to make bicycling skills an integral part of kids&#; elementary school education. Our Kindergarten PE Program provides the curriculum, bikes, and safety equipment needed to teach every kindergartner how to ride at no cost to the school itself. Contact us to learn more about how you can support our vision to make this milestone skill accessible to children, or consider donating to a school in your community. 

Buying a Bike for Your Child

Is your child ready for his or her first bicycle? Most youngsters learn the basics of pedaling, steering, and braking on a tricycle or "big wheel" cycle, and around age 4 are ready to try a two-wheeler with training wheels.

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A bicycle with training wheels gives children more practice riding without worrying about balance. Between ages 4 and 8, your child will probably develop enough coordination, agility, and a sense of balance to graduate to a bike without training wheels. You are the best judge of your child, however. Some children are mentally ready at 8 or even earlier and some not until age 10 or older. Let your child's interest in biking indicate whether he or she is ready. Keep in mind that most children younger than 5 don't have the strength or coordination to use hand brakes, advises the nonprofit International Bicycle Fund (IBF).

Finding the right bike

Keep in mind that many bicycles made for kids don't have the high quality of adult bikes, the IBF says. That's because a high-quality bike&#;no matter what the size&#;costs hundreds of dollars, and many parents don't want to spend that much on a bicycle their child is going to outgrow in a year or two. Buying a bike that is age-appropriate and safe for your child is worth the investment though. 

A bike should be the right size for your child. That means your child should be able to comfortably straddle the bike with feet flat on the ground. Your child should be able to get onto the bike seat by slightly tipping the bike to one side. When your child is riding, his or her knees shouldn't hit the handlebars, nor should they be so stretched out that your child can't maneuver the bike easily.

How big?

Kids' bikes are sized by wheel diameter instead of height of seat or size of frame, the IBF says. Here's a guide:

• Ages 4 to 5 years. Wheel diameter, 12-14 inches; child's inseam, 14 to 20 inches. Most of these smaller bikes come with training wheels.

• Age 6 years. Wheel diameter, 16 inches; child's inseam, 18 to 21 inches. Most of these bikes have coaster brakes; some have hand brakes.

• Ages 7 to 8 years. Wheel diameter, 20 inches; child's inseam, 22 to 25 inches. These can have more than one speed and have hand brakes.

• Ages 9 and up. Wheel diameter, 24 inches; child's inseam, 26 inches or more. These usually have the features of an adult bike.

Other important features

Aside from fit, the most important parts of a bike are the brakes, the IBF says. Bikes for younger children usually have coaster brakes, which work when the cyclist pedals backward. A young child doesn't have the hand size or strength for hand brakes. As your child grows, consider a bike with both a coaster brake and a hand brake, so he or she has a chance to practice with both. Bikes with a derailleur only come with hand brakes.

When choosing a bike for your child, check the front wheel to make sure it spins freely, but doesn't move when you try moving it from side to side. Look for a wheel with metal hub, spokes, and rim.

Examine the frame and make sure it is strong (you shouldn't be able to bend it by hand), the IBF says. Look at the bike front-on to see that the wheels are in line. Check all bolts to see that they are tight. Single-speed bikes should have a well-mounted chain guard. The guard shouldn't rub against the chain.

Head protection

Don't forget the helmet when buying a bike for your child or yourself. The helmet should fit properly, and you should insist that your child wear it whenever he or she rides. The IBF says that the highest rate of bike-related head injuries occur among boys 10 to 14 years old.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of children's bicycles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.