As much as we would like to give individualized support to people of any age new to riding a bicycle, we do not have dedicated staff to handle these requests.
Review Bicycle Magazine’s great tips on getting started.
Trailnet offers BikeSmart classes, geared for riders of all levels ages 13 and up, designed to build confidence and get anyone ready to ride more often. Classes are led by a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor.
Trailnet has League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors on staff to help you organize and produce a Bike Safety Rodeo for large events and summer camp activities (for a fee), but for smaller groups it can be more cost effective to organize a safety event yourself.
Visit An Organizer’s Guide to Bicycle Rodeos, Safe Kids Worldwide’s Bike Rodeo Station Guide, or Minnesota Safety Council’s Bike Rodeo Planning Guide for resources to help you plan and carry out a Bike Safety Rodeo.
Generally a child should be at least 10 years old before being allowed to ride in the street, especially without parental supervision. However you should never allow your child to ride on the road without going over the basic bicycle skills together and assessing your child’s ability to react thoughtfully to vehicular traffic.
The most basic bicycle rules you should be teaching your child include:
Utilize additional resources to teach your kids bike safety from the International Bike Fund or the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
Passengers 13 or older, and children accompanied by an adult, are welcome to bring their bicycle onboard MetroLink. Wait until all other passengers have boarded or exited the train, and enter the train at the rear door of the first train car or the front or rear door of the second train car. Two bicycles are permitted in each area. If a train is too crowded, you may have to wait for the next train before boarding with your bicycle.
While onboard MetroLink, please stand with your bicycle. Do not leave your bicycle unattended or put it on its kickstand. For more information, click here.
You don’t need any special gear or clothing to go for a bike ride. Jeans and a t-shirt, a dress and heels– you can get started in anything. Short trips can easily be reached in whatever you would wear normally.
Of course, you can’t control the weather. If it’s especially hot, you can either carry a small towel or a change of clothes to freshen up in no time once you reach your destination. In the fall and winter months, layering is key. Even though it’s cold, you can still work up a sweat, so strive for moisture-wicking fabrics like spandex or merino wool.
For longer, more strenuous rides a shirt made from performance fabric and padded shorts are a must. The shirt will wick the sweat and make your ride cooler. The shorts will prevent “saddle sores” and reduce chafing.
One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of investments in these modes, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.
Each year in September, Trailnet takes part in a Bicycle and Pedestrian Count in attempts to provide some documentation.
There are many ways to meet other riders in the St. Louis region.
** 2014 Trailnet bike shop sponsor