I never learned to ride a bike- How to support teenage son with new interest?

[NewJobNewMeNewLife]

DS is 13 years old and learned to ride a bike when he was little but never showed any interest. I never learned to ride a bike as my parents hadn't the inclination to teach me- so since he learned, other than occasionally taking his bike to the park, there hasn't been much cycling. We have always just had secondhand bikes off friends when their children had outgrown them so have never been shopping for a bike.

Cycling has now become the thing he is wanting to do more than anything- him and his mates want to hang around on their bikes in our small semi-rural town, and go over small jumps that local children have made. They are hoping to be able to progress by the summer to go to a larger bike track in the next bigger town.

His bike is too small apparently, and he would like a new one. The issue is, there are so many available and I don't know what type I am looking for- trail, mountain, road, hybrid. Ideally my budget is for a secondhand bike- but not sure what type, brand, size I should be looking at so it feels a bit of a minefield. At a push, I could bring forward and buy him a very early Christmas present- but not sure how quick he is likely to grow out of a bike and whether this interest is likely to continue so reluctant to spend too much, even so?

Also in my situation, how do you ensure children are safe on their bikes? I can't go out on bike rides with him- I suffer with anxiety and my heart is in my mouth when they go out on their bikes so any tips much appreciated. I also think my anxiety would stop me from being able to learn to ride a bike.

The Bike Club is your friend here! Google it and have a look. It’s a monthly subscription service and you can change the bikes when they outgrown them or fancy something different.

The Bike Club looks like a great idea but seems to stop at 14 years old.

How tall is he @NewJobNewMeNewLife
And what is your budget?
He sounds like he is riding mostly off-road?
Do you know what sort of bikes his friends have and can you give any more details about the "larger bike track in the next bigger town"?

As for safety, buy him a helmet, some knee pads maybe, maybe a off-road lesson if possible and a decent bike suitable for what he's riding... and let him have fun!

Look at the kind of bikes his friends are using, and go from there.

Go to a local independent bike shop and tell them what you’ve told us. They may well have some second hand bikes which they have reconditioned.
As for safety, did he do cycling proficiency at school? If not, read the relevant bits of the Highway Code with him. Do you have a car? Next time you’re behind a cyclist, talk about the position on the road, what signals they do and that sort of thing. At junctions, ask him what he’d do. Also, ask at the bike shop. They might have some suggestions. You won’t be the only one in this position

I would get him to work it out - it sounds like a mountain with front suspension would be a good fit. He will probably fit an adult medium.

We’ve just been through this. Halfords to get the size right.

Then a better bike but second hand and security code it and decent lock and don’t leave it anywhere.

We asked around and a friend we knew sent me the link to a second hand bike they were selling for £200 but was £1000 new. We know the family really well and they then gave us various electronic gps trackers and all sorts of- he is made up about it!!

I’ve just bought my son a Carrera from Halfords. Really solid and well built. It had a discount because they have an event currently so was just over £300 with puncture prevention. I regret buying cheaper bikes in the past because they’ve not lasted.

To answer some questions- I dont know what types of bikes his friends have- they all look the same to me. He is making some noises about needing some increased suspension on his bike compared to what he has now.
He is 5 ft 4 and I suspect about to have a growth spurt.
He didn't get to do the road part of cycling profiency as he didnt show enough proficiency in the playground part.
I know I sound stupid but as I have never learned to ride a bike I just feel a bit useless- it seems such a simple thing not to be able to do, a skill that most people have; and I have always felt a bit embarassed about it- I am not very fit and have no real desire to learn as I don't think I would enjoy it but it means I just feel completely out of my depth with this.
If you are riding off road- you must have to ride on the road to get to the off road bit- I think that is what is confusing me?

The bike I posted about is the sort of thing you need. All terrain tyres with good suspension. He needs a decent helmet too, that’s non negotiable. My son doesn’t ride on the road but we live semi rurally with lots of foot/bridle paths so he uses those. I absolutely love cycling and it’s something we like to do together. Maybe you could consider learning? You might love it!

This is my son's hobby and is a great way for them to spend time I reckon. I'd go mountain bike definitely if they are planning on local bike park. Independent bike shop for advice on sizing, possibly second hand bike from there?
They will have to go on the road a bit to get to trails. Maybe go somewhere quiet and get him to show you how he would manage a junction. There are no doubt loads of cycling safety you tube videos about cycling on roads. Our local cycle group does training as well - maybe see if you have one? It's a voluntary group that works to increase cycling in the area.
It's a bit nerve wracking when they go off, but so are so many things kids do and I've found it a really positive hobby overall.

Cycle Sprog website has lots of info re children’s bikes. Cycling UK is also a good source.

When choosing a bike, think about what terrain he is likely to be riding on - if he likes jumps that sounds more like a mountain bike type riding. You could also see if you have a bike recycling place locally for a second hand one.

British Cycling also have children’s / teens clubs that might be worth checking out for coaching on safe bike handling / riding techniques. You could also see if your local council does Bikeability courses (if he hasn’t done it at school). British Cycling & Cycling UK should have video clips on stuff like fitting helmets & can do rides & other events as does Sustrans.

If he wants to cycle to a larger town, then you might want to start talking about what is & isn’t a safe route (the big danger being traffic). Sustrans should have some online mapping of the National Cycle Network which might be a start if you have local routes. The national cycle route standards are in Local Transport Note 1/20 (which can be found on a internet search) & it’s worth reading the first few pages to understand what a safe cycle route is like (eg protected by barriers from traffic, a cul-de-sac or through a park) so you can discuss potential routes with him.

Finding routes can be tricky as councils can sign streets as cycle routes that don’t meet the national standards - we gradually expanded our network as the DC grew up & it felt like we had to learn this street by street. That said, cycling is great fun & great for DC independence as they get older.

You can ride a mountain / off road bike on the road - it’s just slower than a road bike as it isn’t as lightweight & has knobbly tires. Mountain bikes are great fun & good all purpose bikes.

You'll want an adult size bike. And unless he ends up exceptionally tall, it should still work for his adult height. I'm not sure if the UK uses the same sizing, but a 27.5 inch bike (us sizing) pretty much fits people 5.2 ft-6ft.
You might have him ask his friend who have bike that he wants what they have.

I suspect he wants/needs a mountain bike with front suspension (hardtail).

A lot of towns have bike CICs (community interest charities) like this one Streetbikes Huddersfield, who refurbish bikes and sell them on at low cost. They are run largely by enthusiastic volunteers who should be able to help you out.

I'm a lifelong cyclist and mother of 2 teens. At 13 and only 5'4" I'd be reluctant to spend too much just yet, as he might be 6" taller in 2 years time! On a budget, you are far better going for quality preloved rather than low cost new.

In the UK "27.5 inches" in relation to a bike would relate to mountain bike wheel size. This is standard on all adult sized frames, but the frame size needed for someone who is 5'2" would be considerably smaller than for someone who is 6' or more.

All manufacturers' frame geometries are slightly different too, and I'd really advise sitting on and riding any bike before you buy it.

Not many people know that the old style cycling proficiency has gone and has been replaced by Bikeability, a modern system of teaching children and adults to ride safely on modern roads and in modern traffic situations. It starts with bike handling tuition which would include an appropriate bike. Here's the website:

https://www.bikeability.org.uk

The training used to be provided by some local authorities and schools it is also available through Cycling UK and possibly Sustrans. It is also available privately but of course, that may cost but it's worth finding out, that's the best way of helping your son if you can't cycle. Cycling is brilliant exercise, a great way of getting about and having mates. It's possible that there's a local cycling club which might help with info and later, that would be a way of him socialising through cycling.