Get on a Bike!

Bike Rides

Do you remember coming home from school, grabbing your bike and heading off on another adventure? Or that knock at the door, you look out and there are your friends standing there, bikes piled at the end of your driveway?

I do not see bikes out and about like when I was younger. Kids are not jumping on their bikes afterschool, heading out to a friends by bike after Saturday morning cartoons.

I feel as if biking needs a purpose or plan to happen.

Let’s make that happen.

FIND A TRAIL

There are many trail systems, paved and unpaved, to ride in Livingston. Introduce your family to paved and unpaved trails in the area.

PINCKNEY

Lakeland Trail

Pinckney Rec Area

Additional info Pinckney Recreation area

DEXTER

Border to Border Trail

Hudson Mills Metro Park

WHITMORE LAKE

Lakeland Trail

BRIGHTON

Brighton Recreation Area

HARTLAND

Settlers Park

HOWELL

Great park options for biking with little ones. Sidewalk systems around the playgrounds are perfect for some to play while others bike.

Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority (howellrecreation.org)

SOUTH LYON

Huron Valley Rail Trail

REPLACE YOUR CAR WITH A BIKE FOR AN ACTIVITY OR APPOINTMENT

My son has tutoring on Thursday mornings throughout the summer. Realizing it was close enough to bike, we decided to do just that and have continued to do so all summer. That ride in the morning has become something we both look forward to. Fresh air, exercise and great conversation while biking has been a fun memory of this summer.

BIKE PLAYDATES

Invite a group of friends over to bike. Have the kids playdate revolve around biking. This can be a ride through your sub or local trail.

To keep the kids interested and riding you can add create some biking activities for them to do.

1. Scavenger Hunt

Give them a list of items they need to find in the neighborhood. The items can be collected with their phones or they can just check them off their list when found. Look around your neighborhood to see how you can make this fun. Some examples are

House with the yellow door, Orange jeep, Mailbox shaped like a truck

2. Race

Hold a few short races between their ride through the neighborhood. Around the block, down to the house with the black shutters… you set the parameters to meet the kids skill level and ages.

3. Obstacle Course

If your space (street or driveway) allows set up an obstacle course. Keeping safety and skill level/age in mind you can make this and activity that keeps the kids busy, while giving them the opportunity to create challenges of their own.

A series of cones (or large soup cans) to weave in and out of, a sprinkler set up to ride through- You get it, just make it fun!

BIKE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Spend time with your kids caring for their bikes. Teach them to inflate the tires, oil the chain, check the brakes and gears.

If you are not familiar with bike maintenance, check out some you tube videos or visit a local bike shop for guidance.