Cycling with 4 kids

[stayathomer]

Hi everyone, so there's 6 in our family, 4 between 5 and 13, me and dh. We've always lived in areas with nowhere near to really cycle, so out in the country with dodgy roads etc so the kids can cycle to very varying degrees, 5yo with help on stabilizers, 7yo amazing on stabilizers, learning without but doesn't want to, 10yo can cycle but wobbly but determined, 13 fairly efficient but still not totally secure and me, wobbly as hell, unable to stop properly. Dh is a cyclist, cycles to train every day. Can anyone recommend how they figured out teaching cycling to multiple kids? Dh takes them out one by one with the bike in the car but obviously that takes forever and means they dont always get more than one lot of practice a week. Can you get bike racks for 4 bikes? Will we ever learn th o be one of those cycling families or is it just not feasible?! Thanks

[Taciturn]

I would suggest you and DH get tag alongs for the younger two and get out on the bikes as much as possible. Everyone will improve with the practice and you won't have to worry about the younger ones on busy roads. Tagalongs are normally available second hand

[AriettyHomily]

Does your local council do a course? What do you mean unable to stop properly?!

We had to take DTs one at a time until they cracked it, they learnt late but it suddenly clicked.

Our rack takes three on the boot, the fourth goes on the roof.

[Taciturn]

I should also have added that you should have someone check your brakes including the suitability of the grip/squeeze for your hand strength if you are having issues stopping.

[CMOTDibbler]

Yes you can get bike racks for 4 bikes (we have one that goes on the tow bar).
I'd start with getting some cycle training for you and a look at your bike to see why you can't stop - your brake levers might need adjusting to your hand size, or replacing to a smaller size
Then take them out on tag alongs (you can hire them at cycle hire centres as well, so a good chance to have a decent ride off road and try them out) so the oldest gets practice and the younger ones spend time building up their peddling strength and see the benefit of cycling

[stayathomer]

Unfortunately the stopping thing is all me, I used to cycle to school as a child, then to work after but my way of stopping was literally to fall off the bike. People have tried to teach me but my coordination is ridiculous. My cycling will never be anything above average, I did a course when I was 16 and by the end of it my instructor apologised and said I just had issues with bikes(this all sounds ridiculousto me too btw!!!!) . The school did cycling courses with the older guys but both hated them(but probably because of their wobbliness etc), I dont think we'd be able to convince them to do more

[stayathomer]

And thanks all of you!!!