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Free Wheeling
Bikes, Trikes, Skates and Boards Equal Family Fitness Fun!
By Krissi Danielsson
Helmets are always a necessity for biking, but Bell points out that gloves are also handy. Gloves prevent skinned hands and absorb vibration. For families on longer trips, gloves provide some protection against repetitive stress injury.
Another safety measure often overlooked in bicycling is tending to shoelaces. "Shoelaces should definitely be tied and double knotted with no long ends," Bell says. Loose shoelaces can get caught in sprockets and cause accidents. In addition, it's wise to avoid open-toed sandals and baggy pants.
Families biking with an infant or toddler can choose either a bike seat or a trailer. Trailers are more stable and provide protection against weather elements, but bike seats are lighter when going up hills. In either case, it's a good idea to wait until a child is 12 months or older before introducing her to biking. "You want to be sure that they have neck muscles and strength to hold heads up," Bell says.
Skating, whether on inline or traditional roller skates, is a fun activity for all ages. "Many children are able to use inline skates by 7 or 8 years of age," says Dr. Vincent Iannelli, the pediatrics guide at About.com. "However, some children acquire the skills to skate – including good balance, speed control and the judgment to skate safely – a little earlier or later than that."
Quality is as important for skates as it is for bikes. When your child is ready to try skating, choose skates with good support. For inline skates, you should not be able to squeeze the plastic outer covering. If you can squeeze it, the skate may not provide enough support if your child falls. Traditional roller skates should also have a snug boot that provides adequate ankle support when fully laced.
