How to introduce my daughter to safe riding on the road

[MattE72]

My daughter recently learnt how to ride a bike and has since, I'm happy to say, really got the bug. So far we've stuck to off-road riding on dedicated cycle routes around Chester and some local lakes. It's pretty rural where we live so one doesn't have to travel far to get to nice quiet lanes well away from traffic. It's quite hilly where we live and I'm concerned that at 9 she's not developed a healthy fear of riding quickly down hill and around corners. Of course I've banged on about taking her time, using her brakes, not going hell-for-leather down hill because it's fun to go fast etc.Should I ride in front of her to see the way ahead and if so how do I keep an eye on her??

So really what I'm asking is if anyone has some anecdote, advice and so forth of when they've been in this position with your own kids.

 

[Kies]

Ride behind them and slightly further out. This will make vehicles pass her even further away. The rest is encouragement and direction as and when needed.
Try not to shout instructions all the time, or you will ruin what would have been an enjoyable ride for her.
If she loves going downhill fast .... Show her how to slow down using the rear brake before the front
:enjoy

 

[MattE72]

Ride behind them and slightly further out. This will make vehicles pass her even further away. The rest is encouragement and direction as and when needed.
Try not to shout instructions all the time, or you will ruin what would have been an enjoyable ride for her.
If she loves going downhill fast .... Show her how to slow down using the rear brake before the front
:enjoy

Thanks @Kies. We've been through the 'use your back brake' scenario; I'd like to think that she's got that branded on her brain now. I'll give the riding behind a go. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Stantheman]

As Kies said "Ride behind them and slightly further out. This will make vehicles pass her even further away." I do this with my 10 year old son, works a treat.

 

[BAtoo]

As Kies said "Ride behind them and slightly further out. This will make vehicles pass her even further away." I do this with my 10 year old son, works a treat.

I do this with my GF on our busier roads around here....... works a treat !

 

[MattE72]

I do this with my GF on our busier roads around here....... works a treat !

I might try that with my wife in the future although that just might result in us getting lost. Slowly.

 

[Tin Pot]

I wouldn't take my kids cycling on the road, it's too dangerous.

I see it in terms of lessons learned; at nine years old you can't learn much from being hit by a car, but as an adult you can at least survive your first mistake.

Honestly I'll be cycling with mine off road until they are teenagers and have more awareness of the world around them.

 

[sidevalve]

Trouble is when you're young you really don't have any fear. I have just one suggestion - too many parents keep giving their kids lots of advice, use this brake, do this, beware of that etc etc. I would say just stick with this - think ahead. It covers everything else, it works whatever she rides or drives and it's easy to remember. If you've ever fell of [and we all have] tell her how, tell her what you did wrong. She might get a laugh a dad falling off but the memory will stick and that is the point.

 

[BAtoo]

I might try that with my wife in the future although that just might result in us getting lost. Slowly.

No problem advising on the route from behind - as long as you're not too far behind and still within shouting distance.....

 

[MattE72]

No problem advising on the route from behind - as long as you're not too far behind and still within shouting distance.....

You're implying that this will be a situation in which she'll actually listen to me....

 

[Supersuperleeds]

As Kies said "Ride behind them and slightly further out. This will make vehicles pass her even further away." I do this with my 10 year old son, works a treat.

I also do this with our lass when we go riding, also has the added benefit of when the road is quiet I can tuck back in behind her and keep out of the wind

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I also do this with our lass when we go riding, also has the added benefit of when the road is quiet I can tuck back in behind her and keep out of the wind

You're saying she's an effective wind-break? You're on perilous ground, there .

 

[BAtoo]

You're implying that this will be a situation in which she'll actually listen to me....

Hopefully she listens to you sometimes......