Riding bikes with kids is one of the most fun family activities — kids enjoy themselves while getting some exercise. But if you don’t know the route well, or if it’s too long, has steep climbs, or is too technical, it can turn into a nightmare. You might end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, carrying bikes with kids crying. Want to know how to plan a bike route with kids? Keep reading.
Because it has happened to me, I wanted to create this little guide so parents can plan their routes in the safest way possible and avoid any mishaps.
Choosing the route:
Your children’s age. The route must be suitable for the youngest member of the family. Parents tend to be overly optimistic about their kids’ abilities and push them to do routes that are too demanding. Of course, every child is different, but we should put ourselves in their shoes and mentally run through the route imagining the worst-case scenario.
Check the difficulty. Consider elevation changes, distance, and technical difficulty.
Linear vs circular route. Circular routes are more appealing because you don’t pass the same place twice, but they can become a trap if any problem arises and you have to turn back.
Time of year and daylight. Very important to consider the season. If you go to the mountains, there may be snow or ice patches, and daylight hours are shorter. In summer, it’s better to choose shaded areas with water available.
Before the route:
Check the weather forecast (for some kids, cycling in the rain can be a great adventure, but if they’re very young, it’s obviously not recommended).
Check the condition of the route (if it has rained a lot in recent days, there may be mud, and the route might no longer be suitable for cycling).
Prepare well: suitable clothing, safety gear, lights if needed, water and snacks, and very importantly, a repair kit (punctures rarely happen, but you need to be prepared).
Check the bikes’ condition. Often bikes stay unused all winter in storage, and when you take them out, surprise! Flat tires, rusty cables, brakes that don’t work… It’s highly recommended to do a full bike check before heading out.
Age-based guide (This table is approximate; if a child is very trained or has been cycling since very young, they can cover more distance.)
| Age | Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 3–4 years | 1 km to 3 km | Flat |
| 4–5 years | 2 km to 7 km | Very little elevation |
| 5–6 years | 4 km to 10 km | Little elevation |
| 6–7 years | 5 km to 15 km | Little elevation |
| 7–8 years | 7 km to 17 km | Some elevation |
| 8–10 years | 10 km to 20 km | Some elevation |
| 10–12 years | 10 km to 30 km | Some elevation |
| 12–15 years | 15 km to 50 km | With elevation |
Bike route ideas with kids
In Madrid:
Vía Verde del Ferrocarril, Presa de Picadas – 14 km – More info…
Embalse de Pinilla y presillas de Rascafría – 16 or 36 km – More info…
Vía Verde del Tren de los 40 Días – 14 km – More info…
In Catalonia:
Paseo de las Aguas – 10 km (Barcelona) – More info…
Ruta del Hierro y el Carbón – 15 km (Girona) – More info…
Ruta del Tren Petit – 6 km (Girona) – More info…
Routes 5 and 9 from the Delta del Ebro itineraries (Tarragona) – More info…
In Andalusia:
Vía Verde del Ronquillo (Sevilla) – More info…
Vía Verde del Ferrocarril Almendricos – Huércal Overa – 24 km (Almería) – More info…
In the Basque Country:
(Info missing)
In the Balearic Islands:
(Info missing)
In the Canary Islands:
(Info missing)
In Galicia:
(Info missing)
In Asturias:
Vía Verde de la Senda del Oso – More info…
Vía Verde del Ferrocarril Estratégico – More info…
In Valencia:
Vía Verde de Alcoy – 10 km (Alicante) – More info…
Vía Verde del Antic Trenet – 15 km (Valencia) – More info…
Vía Verde del Mar – 6 km (Castellón) – More info…
In Castilla-La Mancha:
(Info missing)
In Murcia:
Vía Verde de Mazarrón – 14 km – More info…
In Aragón:
(Info missing)
In Castilla y León:
(Info missing)
In Cantabria:
(Info missing)
In La Rioja:
(Info missing)
In Extremadura:
Vía Verde de Monfragüe – More info…
In Navarra:
