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Riding an E-Bike in the Rain

by Annette | Feb 27, 2023 | get Safe

How to protect your battery and motor from water, rain & flood events. Learn some simple things you can do to keep your E-Bike protected.

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SHOP Bike Tops and Jackets

STORIES & SUPPORT for E-Bikes

Can you safely ride an E-Bike in the rain?

Don’t panic. Yes in most circumstances riding in the rain is perfectly OK. Batteries and display units are sealed to be protected from light exposure to rain & water.

Things to be aware of…

Don’t submerge your E-Bike battery/motor in water

Any riding through flooded roads/areas should be avoided
On off road trails be more cautious when crossing streams or rivers
Don’t store your bike in an area prone to flooding or move your bike if you receive any warnings about potential flooding

If you can not avoid submerging your battery, turn it off before making your way through the water. Do not turn it back on until you are satisfied that any water that might have entered into it has had time to evaporate otherwise it may short circuit. If this water fails to evaporate quickly damage from rust may be irreversible.

Keep yourself dry & warm

Your temperature will quickly drop on an E-Bike if you are wet as the airflow will chill you down rapidly. This is particularly important in cold temperatures! Stay dry by managing rain. Use a waterproof or a water resistant jacket. If you are not wearing one make sure your are at least carrying one.

The best way to keep your chest and core warm is to use layers. We recommend 3 layers in cold temperatures. Layers trap air and warm this air up keeping you toasty. Once riding, you can adjust your temperature by adding or removing a layer. E-Bike riders are less likely to need to remove layers so choose your layers wisely. For more on this topic read Bike in Comfort – Use Layers

A base layer that wicks away moisture and keeps you warm. A merino/thermal base layer, usually a singlet/tank or tee. Merino will always be warmer
A long sleeve mid layer with thermal properties to retain heat. This layer could be a thermal jacket. On an E-Bike this layer can be heavier or have greater insulation
An outer layer with wind stopper fabric to block cold air such as a thermal jacket or a waterproof jacket or vest to protect your upper body/chest area. Again E-Bike riders can choose warmer outer layers rather than just a shell. Please read The Best E-Bike Jacket Options

Cover your display & battery when on the car

If you are travelling through bad weather for any amount of time with your E-Bike on a bike rack on the back of your vehicle, make sure it is adequately protected. Cover your battery or take if off the bike if it is removable. Your display unit should also be protected. The rain force hitting your bike when it is travelling on a car is multiplied so any electrical gear is susceptible to having water driven into it.

Riding in the rain can be enjoyable!

Making the effort to ride in all seasons and through most weather is a great commitment to your health and wellbeing. Most times you will arrive at your destination with a smile and happily beating heart because riding just does that, it makes us feel better.

Tips for riding an E-Bike in the rain

make sure your tyres are pumped up correctly for good grip and keep as much tyre as you can in contact with the road surface
some parts of the road can be slippery when wet – white lines, railway tracks, edges of potholes…
braking will take slightly longer so maybe go easy on your speed
choose good quality gear that will keep you warm and dry, and choose stuff that will help you to be seen in the rain

Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

Stories and Support

View the full range of goRides Stories and Support for Bike Jackets.

Bike at a Comfortable Temperature with Layering

Learn about base, mid and outer layers for supporting you to bike at a comfortable body temperature

The Best Jacket for E-Bikes

Learn about the different types of bike jackets and the features that are better suited to E-Bike riding.

Winter Riding Tips

Outwit the weather – rain & cold and short light hours. Let’s be warm, dry and safe when we ride in winter.

Autumn Riding Tips

As the temperatures drop you need to be prepared to be warm when you ride. Simple tips for riding through the Autumn season.

Warm Bike Gloves

What are your options for keeping your hands & fingers warm on a bike? Read about the features of these warm gloves.

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Independent Road Rider 10yrs+, Are They Safe?

by Annette | Nov 4, 2022 | get Safe

If you want to let your young teen ride on their own through traffic you must think through the risks and make sure they can manage. For them to be safe, comfortable & confident you want them to be prepared.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

Independent Riding on the Road 10-11yrs Guide

Tip One – Be Visible

In busy traffic environments your child and their bike will need to be seen. Most of their riding will be during the day so concentrate on ways to catch the attention of drivers. If they use their bike often enough they will at some stage find themselves riding in poor light, poor weather conditions or at dusk/dawn/night. These are all situations where lights & visibility aids are a must.

Youth Be Visible

There are two things to think about to make yourself more visible on the road; Lights/Reflectors & Clothing.

Lights/Reflectors – We recommend an easy to carry, easy to attach front & rear light set that are low to moderate strength. This type of light is used to be seen or attract attention so drivers are aware of your position on the road. Rear lights are important in low light situations. Ideally “stacked” with one high and one low – attached to a backpack and on the seat post. It can be a great idea to have a rear reflector permanently attached to your young riders school bag. This means it will always be with them. Give them any kind of easy to carry & use reflectors that can be attached to the back of their bike or clothing. See our range… Youth Be Visible

Outer Layers/Helmet – Unfortunately most school uniforms are dull colours, this can make the be bright message tricky especially if they are not allowed to wear anything else. If possible add a lightweight bright, reflective jacket or vest over their clothing. If this is not possible make sure they have a bright helmet. Visit our Youth Be Visible Product Page

Tip Two – Tools & Punctures

Usually we recommend carrying tools, however, for young teens, most of their riding is the commute to school so they are already carrying enough things and anything left on their bike is likely to get stolen. We are also aware of the ability for children in this age group to lose things. What are the options then? Well, firstly, we recommend self seal tubes. This type of tube is more expensive than a normal tube but it will save them from dreaded punctures. A self sealing tube can instantly repair small tears and holes, keeping them on time and riding.

It is a good idea to start teaching them about their bike and ways to keep it working. Having tyres that are well pumped up is a good way to minimise the risk of puncturing. So get them into a good routine of checking and pumping their tyres at home with a Floor Pump.

If you want them to succeed you need to have some at home tools that will help them. Ideally all gathered together in the one place; a floor pump, chain lube/cloth, spare tubes/tyre levers/tyre patches, Allen key or multi-tool.

At Home Bike Tools to Have…

Five Simple Bike Tasks You Should Know

At Home Bike Tools to Have...

Self sealing tubes will help with managing flat tyres.

Tip Three – Wear a Good Bike Helmet

Wear a helmet that has been designed for the type of town riding you are about to do. There are a huge range of helmets out there so you will be able to find one that is a good fit. We recommend full head coverage, lightweight and bright colours or graphics. Additional features like rear vent lights are also great. Choose the protection that will give you confidence and the knowledge that you have the correct gear to ride safely on the roads & bike paths you choose.

Check out our story Youth Bike Helmet Options and our Bike Helmet Stories & Support Page

The ideal helmet for Road Riding should be bright & provide you with good head coverage.

Tip Four – Use a Bike Lock

If leaving a bike unattended in any type of urban area, you want to know that it will be there when you return. Most schools will have special areas, some that are locked during the day to restrict access. Choosing the right bike lock depends on a number of things… what the risk level is, what type of structures you have to lock your bike to and how long you are leaving it for. Get a better understanding of your Bike Lock options by reading the Bike Lock Buying Guide and make sure you know how to use a lock correctly. The Best Way to Lock a Bike

For kids/youth we recommend combination locks. These types of locks are easy to carry and you don’t have to worry about them losing keys. See Combination Lock and choose the coil thickness you think matches the risk level.

Helmets can be a bit of an issue when they are left with a bike at school or with a bag when your child is at a sports practice/after school activities. We really like the reusable Security Ties to keep their helmet safely attached to something when they need to leave it. Again if you choose the combination option, you won’t need to worry about them losing the key. See Security Tie – Combination

Tip Five – Keep Them Warm/Weather Protection

What they need to be safe when riding on the road depends on how far they are going and how committed you are to making them ride in all weather.

Warmth – the most obvious thing here is warm gloves for cold weather. When winter arrives their fingers will need protection but also think about ears, neck & head. See Extremity Base Layers

Jackets – most schools allow a rain jacket to be worn as your child commutes to school. Having a jacket that packs down well and is easy to carry is great for their town riding protection. Keeping dry is key to keeping safe and enjoying the ride. Fabrics that are bright, reflective & waterproof are important so their clothing remains dry. In poor weather conditions it is harder for drivers to see you. Being bright with outer layers is a great way to make sure you are visible.

Traffic riding helmet & visibility light set combo

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Ride More Places

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Bike Gear Stories

A collection of stories that will help you learn about bike gear. goRide supporting you to get the right bike gear solution for the type of riding you do or want to do.

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Kids riding their own bike on the road with an adult

by Jo | Oct 26, 2022 | get Safe

Support your child to get ready to ride independently in traffic by riding together. Cycling on the road, with your child riding their own bike, is a great way to show them how to be safe and how to make good decisions.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

Guide: Independent Riding in Traffic, 10-11yr old

Guide: Riding in Traffic with Kids

Riding with your child on the road is a great way to transition your child to being an independent rider in traffic. You can assist your child to learn how to ride in traffic and help keep them safe in this very busy, dynamic and often unpredictable environment.

There is a lot for your child to learn to become a safe and confident rider on the road. Read our story to understand the skills they will need.

What is the best way to assist your child when you ride together on the road?

Teaching your child to become an independent road rider

How to ride with your child in traffic

When learning something new it is often recommended to start small and easy and build into more challenges. Being able to cycle on the road is a great example of this graduation. Change environments as their knowledge, confidence and skills grow. So start with a small ride in less busy environments. Progress onto more challenging traffic environments when they are ready. Thinking about the time of day you are riding (traffic flow), the number of obstacles you will face (traffic lights, changing lanes, intersections etc) and how much time you have (never be under time pressure when beginning this process, you will be stopping often!).

Work out how you will communicate. Before you ride in traffic work together to understand some basic communication. You will need both verbal and hand signals (as often you may not be able to hear each other). The obvious and essential communication is stop and go. There may be others that you consider important especially around speed, the idea is to ride close together and stay this way.

Where you are riding relative to your child can influence their safety and the type of learning they will experience. Your position can stay the same for the entire ride or change depending on the traffic flow and what you are dealing with.

Riding in front of your child – great for role modelling riding behaviour and the rules of riding on the road. They are following your lead. You are making the decisions. You will need to be conscious that when you make a decision there is enough space for your child to complete the movement as well. Therefore be patient, wait for larger gaps in traffic. This is often a good way to start riding together on the road. Communication is important and speed choice, as you can not see what they are doing or how far behind you they are.
Riding behind your child – positioning yourself between your child and traffic approaching from behind will provide a sense of protection. Ride behind and slightly wider than them. They will be making the decisions and you can often talk to them to reassure them and talk them through and assist with some of these decisions.
Two adults – if you have the luxury of 2 adults having one at the front and one at the back can be a great way to get started with riding on the road together. This will provide lots of learning opportunities with role modelling from the leading adult and the adult behind able to talk through some of those decisions.
Riding beside your child – traffic side, on their right. This will make you wide and is discouraged in busy and narrow road environments. However there may be times when it is safe and you feel confident to ride side by side… choose those times wisely. It is a great way to be able to communicate while riding together.

Encourage and praise your child as they learn the rules of riding on the road and making decisions. It is a great idea while out riding together to stop in a safe place and talk through situations, scenarios and decisions you have made and why. Discussing them as they happen is the best way to cement their learning however it is also important to make time after your ride to talk and answer any questions that your child may have. Try to make it short and fun, choose a destination they like or have a reward ready when they get home. You will need to be patient and kind. Communication is key, at times you will need to be loud so let them know you are not shouting at them.

Enjoy riding together and remember there can only be positive outcomes for supporting your child in becoming a safe rider in traffic.

Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

Bike Helmets - What are my options?

Get an overview of the options that are available so you can have a helmet that works for the riding you do.

Be Visible Guide

Help kids be seen. See all our visibility solutions on one page. From lights to jackets and vests. What solutions will work for you?

Riding Clothing For Kids & Youth

Help kids look and feel great on there bike – wear clothing that they love

Fun Up the Kids Bike

Help your kids to love their bike and their riding. Fun & interesting gear that will appeal.

Bike Lock

All our advice & support about bike locks on one easy to navigate page.

Ride More Places

Read stories about riding trails, tracks and mountain bike parks in beautiful NZ. Be inspired and learn whether this may be an option for you or your family.

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Support & Inspire other riders and families

Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes.

All entries are automatically entered into our Seasonal Prize Draw.

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Bike Helmets for Youth – What are the Options?

by Annette | Oct 21, 2022 | get Safe

There are a lot of options for a Youth Bike Helmet. To help keep them safe the helmet needs to match the type of riding they do the most. Let’s take a look at your options.

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SHOP Kids Bike Helmets

Kids Bike Helmet Buying Guides

Head Size and Growth

You can’t just guess size, you need to get a helmet that fits them so it does the job you want it to do if they ever have an impact to the head.

Your pre-teen will have a fully grown head, their face structure will grow and change but you will notice very little difference in their head circumference.

What this means for helmet buying is that children as young as 6yrs old can fit into adult size helmets. “Youth” specific helmets tend to be an adults size small with graphics that appeal to younger riders on them, cheaper components to keep the price down & lighter in weight.

Once you have the correct size helmet you need to fit it correctly to your child’s head shape with an adjustment system.

Youth Helmet Options

Youth Recreation Helmet
Urban/ Multi Sport Helmet
Youth All Round Helmet (add a rear light for on road use)
Adult Traffic/Recreation Riding Helmet
Adult Recreation Helmet
Adult All Round Helmet (including Mountain Biking)

All these helmets have great head shape, have adjustment systems and come in good colours/graphics. Some will be designed for specific environments but are versatile enough to be used whenever your child rides.

Youth riders who are serious about mountain biking should be wearing an adult mountain biking helmet… please go to our Mountain Bike Helmets – What are the Options? story.

Make sure the helmet is adjusted to fit their head every time they ride.

Recreation Helmet – Youth Size 6-12yrs

Best Suited to – Recreation riding on bikepaths as well as beginner/easy off road trails.

Age Range – approximately 6yr to 12yrs. Size Range – 50 to 57cm (youth size)

Great features: Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head). In mold construction gives the helmet the ability to absorb knocks, strength and durability. Lightweight and easy to use adjustable fit system so the helmet is secure and stable on their heads.

Other features: Good ventilation & sweat absorption, pinch guard on chin strap for young kids, bright colours for visibility in traffic.

Recommendation – The Bell Sidetrack is the best kids through to youth helmet we could find in the market because it has such a great shape. It’s extended length covers their head well. The easy to use adjustable dial system guarantees a secure fit every time they ride. All this makes it a great helmet for safety to take them off road exploring or into traffic.

Shop this Helmet

Urban Rider/Multi-Sport Helmet 8-12yrs

Best Suited to – kids who ride in urban environments, who need a helmet to use biking, scootering or at the skate park.

Age Range – one size approximately 8yr to 12yrs. Size Range – 52 to 56cm.

Great features: Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including ear/temple protection. Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts. Certification for use in the sports you are participating in – skate, scooter, biking. Awesome bright graphics.

Other features: Good ventilation & sweat absorption, pinch guard on chin strap.

Recommendation – This street style helmet has a Multi Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). The only helmet in this class to offer this level of protection Great fit system to ensure a secure position on the head. Lightweight, with 11 vents and a great pinch free buckle system.

Shop this Helmet

Mountain Biking/All Round Helmet 6-12yrs

Best Suited to – kids who enjoy riding to & from the trails. Optional pop in light for the rear vent makes this a great all round helmet.

Age Range – approximately 6yr to 12yrs. Size Range – 50 to 57cm (one size).

Great features: Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head) including MIPS (multi directional impact) protection. Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners. Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head. Good colour options, bright range.

Other features: Good ventilation & quick dry padding for sweat and temperature management, easily removed for washing. Visor removability. Ability to add a rear vent light for on road/in traffic riding.

Recommendation – As your child steps up to the challenge that is mountain biking so should their helmet step up in its ability to protect their head and the features it offers. The Giro Tremor does just that. It has the best dial fit system we could find in a kids helmet along with the added protection of MIPS technology. The internal pads are made from the same fast drying, sweat wicking fabric as adult Giro helmets. Eighteen vents & 5 airflow channels throughout the full head coverage design allows for great air movement and keeps the helmet lightweight (306gms). It also has an optional rear vent light to assist with visibility in traffic – school commute riding, activities/sports practices, riding to/from the trail.

Shop this Helmet

Mountain Biking/All Round Helmet 10yrs+

Best Suited to – kids who enjoy riding to & from the trails. Optional pop in light for the rear vent makes this a great all round helmet.

Age Range – approximately 10yrs. Size Range – 54 to 61cm (one size).

Recommendation – As your child steps up to the challenge that is mountain biking so should their helmet step up in its ability to protect their head and the features it offers. The Giro Fixture does just that. It has the best dial fit system we could find in a helmet along with the added protection of MIPS technology. The internal pads are made from the same fast drying, sweat wicking fabric as adult Giro helmets. Eighteen vents & 5 airflow channels throughout the full head coverage design allows for great air movement and keeps the helmet lightweight. It also has an optional rear vent light to assist with visibility in traffic – school commute riding, activities/sports practices, riding to/from the trail.

Shop this Helmet

Adult Traffic & Recreation Helmet 10yrs+

Best Suited to – Youth who ride in traffic. With an adult or as an independent rider. Suitable for all recreation riding bikepaths as well as beginner/easy off road trails.

Age Range – approximately 10yrs+. Size Range Sm 54-58cm, Med 58-61cm

Great features: Full head coverage (a shape that resembles a human head and goes low at the back of the head). Strength and durability, ability to absorb impacts created by in mold construction & liners. Easy to use fit systems that provide the ability to have a secure & stable helmet every time it is put on a head.

Other features: Rear light vent & bright colour. The helmet is acting as a visibility aid, drawing driver attention with the rear light on flashing mode.

Recommendation – If you are choosing to let your pre-teen/teen ride their bike as transport through traffic their helmet should provide them with added safety. The Cratoni C-Pure has that ability. Not only does it have a great fit system & full head coverage including temporal protection, it has a rear dial light. This light is great for use in traffic and will always be with them whenever they put their helmet on their head.

Shop this Helmet

Adult All Round Helmet (Including Mountain Biking) 10+yrs

Best Suited to – Youth who enjoy all types of recreation riding from the road to the trails.

Age Range – approximately 10 years plus. Size Range – Small 49-54cm Med 54-58cm Lge 58-62cm.

Other features: Good ventilation & quick dry padding for sweat and temperature management, easily removed for washing. Visor removability.

Recommendation – When your teenager chooses to ride a bike all over town during the week and spends time off road in the weekends you want a helmet that is up to the task of being well used. These helmets deliver on all the features we ask you to find in a performance helmet. Including extended rear head coverage yet it is lightweight. It provides ideal impact protection with its increased dense shell strength. An easy to use fit system is a must for this age group. Three sizes also helps with getting a helmet to fit their head correctly. MIPS is another element of protection from impacts at angles. This will help when preteens/teens start exploring intermediate and advanced off road tracks.

IXS-Charcoal-All-round-Helmet-Men-boys-goRide-product

Shop this Helmet - Boys

Shop this Helmet - Girls

Keep them safe with Helmet Care and Checks

As you may have gathered from reading the information above it is not enough just to get the right size helmet for your child or teenager you must also take the time to fit the helmet to their head shape. This involves getting it low, level, secure & stable…

PLEASE READ How to Size & Fit a Kids Bike Helmet

Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

Bike Helmets

The full range of stories & support for bike helmets on an easy to navigate page.

Kids Bike Helmet Buying Guide

Get advice about choosing the right kids bike helmet for the type of riding your child does.

Size & Fit

Once you have the helmet you must be able to wear it properly. Low, level, stable & snug…

Biking with Babies on Board

Advice about riding a bike with a very young child. What are the NZ laws?

The Best Toddler Helmet

Need a helmet for a very young child? This story shows you the best option to get the protection you need.

Mountain Bike Riding with Kids

Ride as a family in mountain bike parks and explore mountain bike trails.

Multi-Days with Kids

Be inspired to ride as a family over multiple days on stunning NZ cycle tracks & trails.

Types of Riding Stories

Stories in Types of Riding support you to learn about riding a bike in different environments. So you can successfully choose to ride more place, more often.

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Riding with a 2-4yr old – Are They Safe?

by Annette | Oct 11, 2022 | get Safe

If you want to ride with your 2-4yr old attached to your bike or towed safety is a big consideration. To be safe, comfortable & confident you need to understand any risks and manage them well.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

Guide: Riding with a 2-4yr old

Tip One – Your 2-4 yr old Child Must Wear a Helmet

It is law in NZ that any passenger on a bike, including a bike trailer or being towed, must be wearing a helmet if that bike is travelling on a road. We would recommend that your toddler should have a helmet on wherever you are riding – on or off road. Between the ages of 2-4 your child’s head will be growing and constantly changing. You must have a helmet that can be adjusted to fit their head and you must commit to regularly checking their helmet for size and fit.

Check out our story How to Size & Fit a Kids Bike Helmet for lots of information on helmets.

We have done an extensive investigation into bike helmets for kids and chosen what we think are the best. You need to find a very lightweight helmet, that has good head coverage and is fully adjustable so you can get a great fit onto their head.

See Bike Helmets for Kids

Lightweight & round like the shape of their head – kids bike helmet.

Tip Two – Keep Them Warm

Kids sitting in bike seats or trailers are not moving or doing the work you are so they need more layers than what you are wearing. This becomes more important as temperatures drop. If your child is in a front/mid seat taking a lot of airflow you need to wrap them up and we would recommend a windproof outer layer. See All Weather Hoodie 1-6yr olds.

Commuting families who are choosing to ride throughout the year and in most weather often put their younger kids in behind the adult rider in a rear seat or completely enclosed in a bike trailer to be more protected in cooler weather.

Take the opportunity with Outer Layers to be bright as well as warm/wind resistant. As temperatures drop and you keep your riding up protect extremities with gloves, a beanie under their helmet and warm shoes & socks.

Tip Three – Be Visible

In traffic environments and on busy bike paths you need to be seen. During the day bright colours will catch the attention of drivers or other users. If using your bike often around town you may find yourself riding in poor light or poor weather conditions. These are all situations where lights are really valuable.

There are two things to think about to keep yourself visible; Lights & Clothing.

Lights – You will need to do a bit of reading & research to understand what is best for the type of riding you do so read our Bike Light Buying Guide. We recommend an easy to carry, easy to attach front & rear light set that suits the lighting environment you use your bike in.

Outer Layers – Simply put, be bright both you & your child. Catch the attention of drivers from a distance so that they know you are there. Being easy to see keeps you safe. This includes any outer layers of clothing or add a lightweight bright, reflective jacket or vest over your clothing every time you ride. Visit our Be Visible Product Page

Tip Four – Carry Tools

Carrying tools whenever you choose to go for a ride is a really important commitment to make to keep yourself safe. This becomes even more important if you are riding with a young child. You should be able to manage the basics by being able to fix any problems with your bike and tighten or adjust anything on the kids bike seat, trailer or tow. We recommend carrying;

Tyre levers, spare tube, mini pump and/or puncture patches
Simple multi tool
Any additional tool that is required for the kids seat/trailer/tow

There are multiple ways you can choose to take tools with you. Seat posts bags are a popular choice. Tool wraps that can be placed in a backpack and will open up to easily display all your tools are a great idea. Remember if you are leaving your bike locked up any where you can’t leave anything that is attached to your bike without it being locked on.

You need to understand how to use what you carry so if you need some help with this please see the following resources we have created;

Five Simple Bike Tasks You Should Know, Tools & Kits to Carry, What’s in a Basic Tool Kit?

Tip Five – Ride Safely

We have written a series of stories that covers the topic of safety for each of the types of seats you can use with 2-4yr old kids. Please choose the kind of bike seat you have to get tips on riding for the first time & safety checks.

Riding with a young child is a responsibility you need to be comfortable with. There are ways to begin slowly and improve your confidence. To begin with your bike will feel different and it will handle differently. Please be patient and match your skill level to the environment you choose to ride through.

Riding Safety with a Front Kids Bike Seat

Riding Safety with a Rear Kids Bike Seat

Riding Safety with a Kids Bike Trailer

Riding Safety with a Bike Tow Frame

Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

Ride More Places

Read stories about NZ trails, tracks & parks. Find out what other families & riders are doing. Be inspired! Is this ride an option for you or your family?

Bike Gear Stories

A collection of stories that will help you learn about bike gear. goRide supporting you to get the right bike gear solution for the type of riding you do or want to do.

Women and families learning ...

Read our stories that support you to learn about all things biking related. Be confident that you know how to safely ride & care for your bike.

Buying Guides

Use our full range of buying guides to get the right solutions for you and your family.

Solution Finder

We are here to help. Use goRides quick and easy Q&A forms to receive personalised support… support specific to you and your family.

Types of Riding Stories

Stories in Types of Riding support you to learn about riding a bike in different environments. So you can successfully choose to ride more place, more often.

Support and inspire other riders and families to ride

goRide SHARING FORM

goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride

Riding with a Toddler – Are They Safe?

by Annette | Aug 4, 2022 | get Safe

If you want to ride with your toddler attached to your bike or towed in a trailer safety is a big consideration. To be safe, comfortable & confident you need to understand any risks and manage them well.

Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.

SHOP Riding with a 1yr old

Tip One – Your Toddler Must Wear a Helmet

It is law in NZ that any passenger on a bike must be wearing a helmet if that bike is travelling on a road. We would recommend that your toddler should have a helmet on wherever you are riding – on or off road. The smallest helmets start at 45cm so you can not begin your family riding adventure until your child has a head circumference of 45cm or more.

Check out our story Riding With Babies for lots of information on beginning to ride with a 1yr old.

We have done an extensive investigation into bike helmets for toddlers and chosen what we think is the best. You need to find a very lightweight helmet, that has good head coverage and is fully adjustable so you can get a great fit onto their head. Our toddler helmet ticks all these boxes and comes in fun bright colours that will appeal to your young rider.

See The Best Bike Helmet for a Kids Bike Seat

See Toddler Helmet – Best First Helmet

The Giro Scamp is the ideal first helmet for a toddler.

Tip Two – Keep Them Warm

Kids sitting in bike seats or trailers are not moving or doing the work you are so they need more layers than what you are wearing. This becomes more important as temperatures drop. If your child is in a front seat taking a lot of airflow you need to wrap them up and we would recommend a windproof outer layer. See All Weather Hoodie 1-6yr olds.

Tip Three – Be Visible

There are two things to think about to keep yourself visible; Lights & Clothing.

Tip Four – Carry Tools

Tyre levers, spare tube, mini pump and/or puncture patches
Simple multi tool
Any additional tool that is required for the kids seat/trailer

You need to understand how to use what you carry so if you need some help with this please see the following resources we have created;

Five Simple Bike Tasks You Should Know, Tools & Kits to Carry, What’s in a Basic Tool Kit?

Tip Five – Ride Safely

We have written a series of stories that covers the topic of safety for each of the types of seats you can use with young kids. Please choose the kind of bike seat you have to get tips on riding for the first time & safety checks.

Riding Safety with a Front Kids Bike Seat

Riding Safety with a Rear Kids Bike Seat

Riding Safety with a Kids Bike Trailer

Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.

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