Cycling can is a fantastic way to create lasting family memories and strengthen bonds. Introducing children to cycling at a young age has many benefits for both children and parents alike. It allows children to be independent, responsible, and resilient as they learn how to navigate using their bike. For parents, cycling provides more freedom and flexibility, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to driving their kids.
This Father’s Day we spoke to 3 dads about cycling and fatherhood as they shared hilarious anecdotes about family cycling adventures and valuable tips for fathers who want to start cycling with their families.
In the second installment of this series, we feature former pointA Board Chair, Jonathan Spencer, former CPA and is currently working as a Mapmaker for Driftscape, which creates and embeds engaging maps into branded apps to promote corporate events and event spaces, tourism and more.
- Tell us about your experience as a cyclist. When did you start? Did you cycle before starting a family?
I probably started with a tricycle with me riding and my sister standing on the back step holding on! When I was about 10 I got a black 3 speed bike I rode everywhere. It had a dynamo light on the front wheel so I could ride late and I took it on trails and through fields exploring on my own. When I got a 10 speed at 14, I cycled all over town, learning how to navigate traffic, finding the quickest routes, the back alleys, finding parts of the city I never knew about. For me, cycling gave me tremendous freedom, I could go anywhere a car couldn’t go, and for free! I used that bike deep into my twenties, learning basic bike repair along the way which taught me that I could fix things on my own. Now I consider my mountain bike an urban machine, perfect for beating traffic, for a quick errand, a fast and cheap way together around town
- Why do/did you want your child(ren) to cycle?
I think riding a bike is an essential skill like learning to swim. If you can ride a bike, you know how to do something without your parents. You can go places, further than you can by walking, so you explore more of your surroundings. At the same time, you learn about traffic, road signs, the rules of the road, what is dangerous and what is safe. You learn to be wary of cars and trucks, and keep an eye out for unpredictable pedestrians, all of which is very helpful if you want to learn to drive later. You can go places on your own or with friends, so you develop some independence which builds confidence
- How did you influence your child(ren) to start and continue cycling?
I remember trying to teach my daughter to balance on a bike. My lower back was killing me as I bent down to hold the handlebars, trotting beside her saying what I thought were encouraging words as she tried to emulate a friend who had mastered the art before she had. There’s a lot to figure out – steering, balance, pedalling, watching for cars, listening. At some point she waved me off, told me to stop talking and just figured it out on her own. So, I don’t know how much of an influence I had! I think children are much more influenced by their friends as they grow up. If they hang out with friends who ride bikes, I think they are more likely to ride themselves.
- What is your favourite cycling memory with your children?
We brought bikes for camping when the kids were young. The campground was quite large with long trails, perfect for a family cycle. Campgrounds are great places for kids to ride around and explore safely.
- Do you have any advice for fathers who want to start cycling with their families?
Ride with them. Take them on adventures. Make sure they know and abide by the rules of the road, hand signals, learn to be wary of trucks and cars. Let them lead. Then let them go off on their own!
