Cycling isn't just a solo sport or a means of getting about; it's an activity that brings families closer together and has benefits for people of all ages. Time spent riding in the open air, exploring the countryside or urban routes, is a great way to create shared memories that both parents and kids will remember for a lifetime.
Teenagers don’t need to be particularly active or sporty to enjoy this pastime. There are routes for all abilities and levels of fitness. And once you’ve prised them away from their phone, you might be surprised at how they take to cycling and become the person asking you to stop work and enjoy a ride together.
In this guide, we'll explore the advantages of cycling for teens, choosing the right bikes for teenagers, essential accessories, safe cycling routes for family bike rides and ways to encourage your teenager to embrace cycling as a hobby.
Cycling offers so many benefits for teenagers. In an age when people are less naturally fit, it’s the perfect way of getting exercise without really feeling it, unless you want the physical challenge of a more demanding activity.
Riding a bike has obvious benefits for improving physical health, promoting cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Even riding an e-bike is good for you, as it still requires you to pedal for the electric assistance to kick in. We find that people riding these bikes take longer to run out of steam, meaning you can be out in the fresh air getting exercise for hours.
On the mental health side, exploring forests, moorlands, canals, disused railway tracks and more by bike is amazing for your head. It helps to reduce stress and lift your mood, clearing your mind of any worries and keeping you present and focused on something fun.
Cycling also gets teens outdoors, exposes them to new experiences and adventures, and reduces the time spent glued to their screens.
Choosing the right bike for teenagers is crucial for ensuring your teenager's safety and enjoyment. Are you riding on rocky paths, gravelly trails, smooth road or a bit of everything? Think about this as a starting point and our team will be happy to guide you on the appropriate bikes for the type of activity.
Then consider factors such as finding the right size to ensure they’re comfortable and think about whether they need an electric or a traditional, human-powered bike, weighing up factors like the terrain you plan to ride on and their personal fitness level. In the UK, it’s legal to ride an e-bike from the age of 14.
Here are our picks of the bikes for teenagers:
This is Trek’s biggest seller globally and a large part of that is its popularity with teenagers. It’s great for all terrains, very affordable for a top quality brand and looks great as a result of all the different colour ways available. It’s also available from the XXS frame size upwards.
The Trek 2023 Marlin 5 Gen 2 above is on sale with 15% off at £465, reduced from £550.
If your son or daughter is looking to be a bit more adventurous, Roscoe is an ideal entry level mountain bike. While Marlin is capable on light to moderate mountain bike trails, this bike will withstand the challenges of more demanding routes, with bigger tyres and more travel in the front suspension.
The Trek Roscoe 6 pictured is currently available with 25% off, at £693.75. Normal price £925.
For the rider who wants to take trail riding up another notch, Trek Fuel EX is a versatile full suspension mountain bike. It’s highly adjustable so it can be tailored to all kinds of different riding preferences, making it perfect if your teenager gets into mountain biking and wants to take on higher graded routes.
The Trek Fuel EX 5 Gen 5 above currently has £675 off, at £1,650. That’s a reduction of 29%!
Domane is Trek’s comfortable road bike for all-day riding. The aluminium AL models available on this range make it more affordable but this is still a great bike for young people wanting to get into road riding. It’s a versatile machine so is great for exploring, commuting and even some less-than-smooth surfaces like gravel.
This Trek Domane AL 2 is available for £925.
Equipping your teenager with the necessary accessories is vital for a safe and enjoyable cycling experience. Ensure they always wear a helmet to protect their head in case of accidents. Today’s young person is a lot more accepting of the need to wear a helmet, especially if they’re riding with you and not their mates.
Choose clothing that enhances visibility and safety, especially during low-light conditions. Additionally, invest in technology like ride computers for tracking progress and measuring miles, and a sturdy bike lock for security.
Lights are hugely important and nowadays road cyclists often use what are known as daytime running lights so they’re more noticeable to motorists at all times. Bontrager Flare R Metro rear lights are claimed by the manufacturer to be visible from 2km and are an affordable but very effective choice (currently available for £13.99, reduced from £19.99). We would recommend pairing Flare R with something like the Bontrager Ion 100 R front light, which is also on sale, at £24.49, reduced from £34.99.
Safety is paramount when cycling, particularly for teenagers who may be less experienced on the road. Opt for traffic-free cycle routes whenever possible, such as purpose-built cycle tracks, canal towpaths, bridleways and graded forest routes. See our recommendations for great routes below.
Make sure they know about traffic awareness and the rules of the road in case there are sections where you’ll be among other vehicles. Most kids will cover cycling proficiency in primary school but it’s worth checking that they’re familiar with the rules of the road before heading out. Familiarise them with arm signaling for communicating with other cyclists and motorists.
Cycling provides an excellent opportunity for families to spend quality time together. Plan family bike rides on weekends or holidays, exploring scenic routes and enjoying the outdoors as a unit. Look for cycling routes specifically designed for families, ensuring they are suitable for all ages and skill and fitness levels.
Our advice is to pick routes where you can ride two abreast so you can chat as you ride. Look for scenic viewpoints where you can stop, take a rest and have a drink. Think about including villages en route so you can have a picnic on a bench or visit the local café for a drink and a sweet treat.
Cycling isn't just a solitary activity – it's a fantastic way for teenagers to forge friendships and bond with parents and peers. Encourage your teen to participate in group rides or cycling clubs where riding is a social experience but they can also start to compete if they want to.
Shared experiences strengthen friendships and family ties. If your teenager really gets the cycling bug, you’ll find they want to be out with you for family bike rides all the time.
That first step into cycling can be the hardest one. If your teenager is hesitant to embrace cycling, there are several strategies you can employ to encourage them. Look for local track open days where they can test their skills in a safe environment and bring friends along so they feel more confident together. Consider renting a bike for a day or arranging a weekend bike holiday to introduce them to new cycling experiences. Additionally, lead by example and demonstrate your own enthusiasm for cycling, inspiring them to follow suit.
Here are four fantastic family bike ride routes of varying difficulty levels that you can try out with your teenager.
A great starter route that’s 6.4 miles long between Huddersfield and Dewsbury train stations, including a crossing of the Bradley Viaduct
Read more here.
An 11-mile route with a slightly more challenging gradient but with lots to see, including the towns of Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton.
Read more. here.
This is a 25-mile intermediate loop with some nice towpath riding and plenty of places to stop along the route.
Read more here.
A circular route measuring approximately 40 miles, this one is more suitable for mountain bikes. The route is pictured above.
Read more here.
Cycling with teenagers is not only beneficial for their physical and mental well-being but also provides opportunities for family bonding and social interaction. Come and see us in store to talk to our team about great bikes for young people and ways to pay that make a reliable bike more affordable.
