GUIDE – Biking with a Child – 4 years plus riding their own bike
goRide your Family Riding Specialists – supporting you to become confident and enjoy riding as a family.
Get the right solutions & support to ride with a 4 PLUS YEAR OLD… riding their own bike.
SMILE when you ride
Welcome to goRide’s Riding with a Child, 4 plus years guide. This is where we help you to get riding as a family. We are here to support you to be prepared so that you can feel safe and confident to ride a bike with your child or children.
Let’s work through what you need to consider, help you understand your options and determine what is the best solution for your family.
Kids riding their own bikeÂ
Kids over the age of 4 will generally have the motor development to start to ride their first pedal bike. The exact age will vary between kids. You can assist your child in learning to ride with our learn to ride programme and kit.
Once riding their own bike you can broaden where you ride and how far you ride as a family by choosing to tow your child (create a bike to bike connection) when they need it. You have three options Tow Frame, Tow Bar, Tow Rope.
Options for Riding with a Child 4yr+, Riding Their Own Bike – Learn More
All of the following options are suitable for kids 4yrs+. Some will be a better investment depending on the exact age of your child or your growing family. The Tow Frame, Tow Rope and Tow Bar are all assisting kids who are riding their own bike. For a detailed comparison of these tow options please read our story…
Tow Frame
Age Range 3-9 yrs
A very STABLE connection. Makes it suitable for a wide range of environments. Including traffic. Creates a tandem. Can tow for the whole ride or intermittent use… LEARN MORE
Tow Rope
Age Range 4yrs+Â
Intermittent use for kids that are capable and well balanced riders. Take them places they may struggle to go…up hills, riding distance… LEARN MORE
Tow Bar
Age Range 4-9 yrs
A great solution for intermittent use to assist kids to ride further and for short distances through traffic (low traffic volumes)… LEARN MORE
First Kids Pedal Bike
Age Range 3yrs+Â
Your child’s first bike! The perfect, well balanced, easy to roll, learning bike. We have chosen ByK for good reasons… COMING SOON
Coming Soon
Riding with kids 4yrs+ on a bike seat/in a trailerÂ
If you would prefer to ride with your 4yr+ child on a kids bike seat or in a trailer there are also options. The Mid Mount and Rear Maxi Seats will offer options up to 6 years. Kids trailers with only 1 child in them (single or double seated trailers) can also be used to approximately 6yrs. If you are buying for a 4yr+ you will have limited time to use the seat or trailer and you may prefer to consider whether hiring is a better option for your family.
The Junior Rear Seat provides a solution for a greater timeframe. Suitable for 4-10 year olds secured with a lap belt. For more information on seats or trailers use our guide for 2-6 year olds.
Rear Junior Seat
Feel safe and confident riding with your child
Safety is your number one priority when you decide to ride with any child. You need to understand how to be safe and how adding the weight of your 4yr+ child will make it feel when you ride? What will it change compared to when you ride solo?
- Your child must wear a helmet when riding their bike.
If you want to ride with your 4yr+ child the first thing to understand is how to be safe? Your first step is to find a helmet that matches the type of riding you will be doing. The helmet needs to be light and cover most of your child’s head.
Young children have varying growth rates so it is important for your 4yr+ child to have a helmet that fits them properly and to keep checking that the helmet they have fits and is adjusted to their head.Â
2. Feel confident to ride with your child
However you ride with a child of 4 plus years it will change the feel of the bike and alter your riding experience. Older kids will weigh a reasonable amount. It is important that you understand the changes to your riding so you can be prepared for extra weight and make the experience safe, easy and enjoyable right from the beginning. If you are wondering if you can manage or to help you get prepared, please read our stories, which are full of great information and tips.
What is the right choice for my family?
There can be many factors that will influence your decision about which tow option to buy for the 4 plus age group riding their own bike. So there are different ways to go about making your choice.
- The style of bike you have
- The places you want to ride now or in the future
- The size of your family – how many children, now and in the future
- What bike will you be riding?
Not all kids bike seats, trailers or tows can be used with all bikes. The design, style and size of a bike influences what can be attached to them. Click on the situation that best relates to you…
I want to search by matching my bike to a kids bike seat/trailer.
I have an E-Bike or Cargo Bike that I want to match to a kids bike seat/trailer.
I have an x-small or small bike frame as I am reasonably short and I want a kids bike seat match.
I want to buy a new bike to use with a kids bike seat/trailer.
2. What options are best suited to where and for how long I want to ride ?
The range of towing options suit different riding environments. It is a good idea to consider where you want to ride with your 4yr+ child now, and where you might like to ride together as you gain more confidence and as they get older. To understand more read our stories about riding environments and the options that suit them.
Considering the type of riding you want to do – short or longer rides or multi-day can influence what tow best suits your family.
3. The solution that best matches your family now and in the future
If you are planning to ride with two/three siblings, or twins & sibling you will want to know the best way. It is important to consider what solution works for your family now and how this will influence your family riding as your children grow.
Supporting your child to be safe to ride.
Different riding environments have different needs. Get the gear solutions your child will need to keep them safe and comfortable… matched to where they ride.
Kids on Bikepaths
Enjoy our solutions and stories for kids riding on bikepaths
Kids in Traffic
Enjoy our solutions and stories for kids riding in traffic
Kids Mountain Biking
Enjoy our solutions and stories for kids mountain biking.
Kids Learn to Bike
(Coming Soon) Learn to Bike Programme & Kit
goRide is here to support you through this experience. If you are struggling with the information, need some things clarified or some reassurance then please get in contact. We love hearing from you and want to help.
A selection of family riding stories, support & solutions that will make you & your family SMILE.
Stories and Support - Towing Kids who ride their own bike
All our stories and support to assist you to tow your child riding their own bike in one easy to navigate page.
Towing Kids who ride their own bike - Buying Guide
Is your child riding their own bike and you want to support them to ride further, or on terrain they may struggle with. Understand your options to tow a child who is riding their own bike. Use our goRide Buying Guides to get the right kids towing option.
Bike Tow Rope - FAQ
The Tow Rope (Towhee)) All your questions answered.- Frequently Asked Questions.
Helmets for Kids
A selection of quality Bike Helmets for Kids to match the riding they do
Bike Tow Frame - FAQ
The Tow Frame (Follow me Tandem) All your questions answered.- Frequently Asked Questions.
Bike Tow Bar - FAQ
The Tow Bar ( Trailgator) All your questions answered.- Frequently Asked Questions.
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.
Riding with my kids - What are my options?
This goRide Story has helped direct many. Get an overview of the options that are available so you can ride with your family.
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
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 receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride