Children's Bike Races for June - Great Outdoors Month

June is Great Outdoors Month and it is time to get the children outdoors and to get them to burn off some of that excess energy. Bike races are a fun and can be great time for everybody. Maybe you can find other adults and children in the neighborhood that would like to get involved in these bike races. I remember as a child, I would race the local kids all the time.

It is also an opportunity to teach children basic bicycle maintenance and safety. Make sure that you have a tire gauge around and that you teach each child how to use it as they check their tires. Tires should have the maximum tire pressure on the side of the tire.

Teach the children how to check their brakes, make sure that the both sides of the brake come in contact with the tire, when applied. While they may not be able to fix the bicycle brakes, they should be able to see whether the brakes need to be changed or maybe the cable needs to be tightened or replaced. . Make sure that every child has a helmet, not only does this cut down on head injuries, most states have laws that all children under a certain age must wear a helmet. Even adults should wear a helmet, to cut down on head injuries.

These little bike races can also be an opportunity to teach children basic hand signals. I am always amazed at how many young adults do not know basic hand signals. These can save your children's life if the driver of a vehicle knows what the young cyclist's intentions. Your state government has some great bike safety brochures so that as grownup you can freshen up on bike safety. Even though I have ridden a bike for years, I always find something new in these safety brochures. You can also hand the brochures out to the children before the races.

I have found that a round robin racing format is the best with children. You can control the number of children that are riding at any one time. You do not want them bunching together and colliding with one another. You will also need to use your imagination when you give out the prizes, the winner, second place, the best sportsperson, etc. Everyone should leave with a feeling of success. They are not in a professional competition, the key to the little Bike races are to teach bike safety and maintenance and to get them out into the outdoors. Make June the Great Outdoor Month a great time for your children.