Biking together as a family can be fun and rewarding, with additional benefits for children such as increased mental stimulation, improved physical health, and an enhanced sense of place.
Here in the East Bay there are lots of great opportunities to learn the ropes and meet other families to share in the experience, and we have put together a number of local resources listed below to get you started. Know of an East Bay family biking group or event that we missed? Send us an email with the info!
Bike East Bay Family Cycling Panel Series
This series was made possible with funding from Spare the Air Youth, and featured a panel of amazing, East Bay parents. Each virtual event addressed a different topic around biking with kids.
-
Panel #1: Biking with Kids on Board
-
Panel #2: Teaching Kids and Learning to Ride
-
Panel #3: Biking with Kids on the Road and Trails (date TBD) – check back for details!
Free Family Cycling Workshops
Bike East Bay brings family biking fun to your neighborhood! At these on-the-bike, outdoor events, our certified instructors lead games and activities for parents and children to participate in together, to improve handling and balance skills while addressing questions about safety, equipment and local biking resources. Every session ends with a prize for each child!
Click here to access our current class schedule or to request a workshop for your school, organization, or community center.
Family Cycling Workshop – San Leandro
Saturday, April 16th, 2022
10am – 12:30pm
San Leandro Marina, Mulford Point parking lot
40 Mulford Point Dr
Family Cycling Rodeo – Fremont
Saturday, April 23rd, 2022
11:30am – 2:30pm
39155 Liberty Street
Family Cycling Workshop – Alameda
(Part of the Alameda Bike Fest event!)
Sunday, May 22nd, 2022
10am – 12:30pm
Bay Farm School, 200 Aughinbaugh Way
Family Cycling Workshop – Pleasanton
Sunday, June 12th, 2022
10am – 12:30pm
Hart Middle School
4433 Willow Rd
Safe Routes to School/Bike to School Day
Safe Routes to School programs in Alameda County and Contra Costa County provide services which help make biking and walking to school safer and more enjoyable to students and parents alike. Get involved with your school’s program to start a “bike train” group commute, participate in contests to encourage active transportation, and help coordinate safer bike facilities and more bike parking around your child’s school.
Bike East Bay, Cycles of Change and Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools also coordinate Bike to School days each spring throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. To find out how you and your school can participate, go to BikeEastBay.org/B2SD.
BikeMobile
The BikeMobile is a free, mobile bike repair service that is available for events in both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. To see their full schedule or request a BikeMobile visit for your community event, go to BikeMobile.org. Free fix-a-flat or other basic bike maintenance workshops can also be provided on site to youth and adults.
Spokes Family Bike Collective
The Family Bike Collective is dedicated to getting children on bikes that match their sizes, personalities and lifestyles. Learn more on their website www.FamilyBikeCollective.org, in person at the Spokeshop Bike Lounge in Berkeley, and at their monthly bike demos, family bike rides, and workshops.
Geared 4 Kids Ride
This monthly bike ride is open to the public, specifically for riders who are new to wheels, pedals, and gears. The routes are 4-5 miles, mostly flat, and stay as far off heavily trafficked streets as much as possible. This bike party for kids and parents comes complete with music to pedal to and stops along the way to share snacks, play, and chat. However, attendees without children looking for a relaxed pace ride are also welcome to participate. For more information, go to Geared4Kids.org.
Red Bike & Green Family Rides
Red, Bike and Green is a community-building collective of Black urban cyclists seeking to improve the physical and mental health, economy and local environment of African Americans by creating a relevant and sustainable Black bike culture. Regular family rides are hosted in Oakland, and a list of upcoming events can be found online at here.
Chasqui Mom Blog: Biking to School
This blog post from a local, bicycling mom includes some great tips for biking to school with kids, including:
-
Biking with Multiple Children
-
Street vs. Sidewalk Riding
-
Route Planning
-
Equipment to Bring
Read other Chasqui Mom posts for more info about family-friendly bike and hiking trips in the Bay Area, and how to get around with kids car-free.
Totcycle Blog
One of our favorite online resources for info and answers on all aspects of family biking is the blog Totcycle.com, based in Seattle. Check out their Family Biking Ages & Stages page for tips on riding with children of all ages, and reviews of various types of equipment. Also read the Is Family Cycling Safe? section, which deals with some concerns we hear from parents who are considering biking with kids.
Family Biking Guide
The SFBC, our partners across the bay in San Francisco, offer a how-to manual for all stages of family biking called the Family Biking Guide. This comprehensive, digital booklet is available to download for free in English, Spanish and Chinese versions, and covers topics on biking while pregnant all the way through biking your child to school. Click here for more info.
What to look for in a bike trailer or child seat
Washington’s Cascade Bicycle Club provides details on the benefits of using a bike trailer or child seat, and what features to look for when shopping for one. Click here for more info.
Want to learn more? Sign up for one of our FREE bike ed classes at BikeEastBay.org/education.