Is Mountain Biking Safe for Children? Safety Information

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Parents can instill a love of nature and encourage exercise in their children with mountain biking. This sport not only improves physical fitness but also instills a sense of confidence. However, mountain biking is not free from risk, so parents should be mindful and teach their children the basic safety of mountain biking before hitting the trails.

Mountain biking can be dangerous for children, but parents and guardians can increase safety by educating the child about injury risks and ensuring they wear protective gear, including helmets. Provide a suitable mountain bike, teach proper riding techniques, and practice before hitting the trails.

To ensure an enjoyable ride, parents must be vigilant about the safety of their children on the trails. Read on to learn more about keeping your child safe while mountain biking.

Common Mountain Biking Injuries Among Children

Mountain biking is an unpredictable sport, especially when unfamiliar with the terrain. Some of the most common injuries among mountain bikers include:

Sprains
Broken bones
Bruises
Scratches
Scrapes.

However, it is possible to experience more severe injuries in mountain biking, although they are less common.

According to an article published in Sports Medicine, the leading causes of mountain biking injuries in youth include overuse, fatigue, experience level, and inappropriate or improperly adjusted equipment.

Fortunately, parents can encourage mountain biking safety in their children with proper education, preparation, and safety techniques.

Choosing a Safe Mountain Bike for Kids

It’s critical that you provide your child with a suitable mountain bike before hitting the trails. Properly fitted mountain bikes prevent stress on a child’s joints, minimize discomfort, and reduce the likelihood of injury.

When shopping for the best mountain bike for your child, start your search in brick-and-mortar bike shops. Shopping in-store allows you and your child to ask questions and get a feel for the bike before committing to a purchase.

Additionally, employees can help properly fit your child for the best mountain bike. As a bonus, physical stores sometimes offer lifetime maintenance warranties with the purchase of a bicycle.

If you’re unable to visit a physical store to purchase a mountain bike for your child, online distributors are the next best option. While you’re unlikely to receive the same level of customer service that you’d get at a brick-and-mortar location, you may end up with a better deal since it’s easier to compare prices online.

However, you’ll have to do quite a bit of research yourself to ensure that you’re getting a suitable mountain bike for your child.

We’ll cover some of the basics of what to look for in a mountain bike for children.

What To Look For in a Safe Mountain Bike for Kids

It might seem common sense to purchase an entry-level mountain bike for an inexperienced child, but that’s not quite the case. In fact, these bikes tend to weigh too much, making it difficult to maneuver the bike uphill.

Additionally, they often feature front suspension, which doesn’t do much when the rider is too light for the suspension to engage.

Instead, use the following tips to properly size a mountain bike for a child:

Frame – Have your child straddle the frame, standing above the top tube. Check to ensure that at least 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of space between the bar and the child’s crotch area. If there are less than three inches of clearance, the bike is too big. If there’s more, then the bike is too small.
Saddle Height & Tilt – Let the child sit on the saddle. Adjust the saddle height so that the child’s heels sit on the pedals. Hold the bike steady while the child pedals backward. Lower the seat if the child rocks from side to side while pedaling.
Leg Extension – As your child sits on the bike with their feet on the pedals, look at their legs. If they’re fully extended, the bike is too big. When pedaling, the legs should only extend to approximately 95 percent at the bottom of the downstroke, and the feet (not the toes) should rest directly on the pedals.

In addition to choosing the right size of mountain bike, opt for a bike with the following features to maximize safety:

No Front Suspension – A bike with a front suspension is practically useless for young riders, as their weight is often not great enough for it to engage. Additionally, forgoing the front suspension reduces the bike’s weight, making for a more leisurely ride.
Range of Gears – Opt for a mountain bike featuring multiple gears on the back (up to seven) and one gear up front. Some manufacturers offer mountain bikes with multiple front gears. However, it’s best to stick with a single front gear until the child learns proper gear shifting.
Thick, Wide Tires – For extra traction and a smoother ride, choose a mountain bike with a wide tire between 2.25 and 2.5 inches (5.7 and 6.4 cm). Avoid slick tread and opt for knobby tread instead. The extra protrusions allow for more grip, providing better traction in the mud and dirt.

Important Things To Consider

When adjusting the saddle or handlebar height, never extend it beyond the manufacturer’s maximum adjustment height. This extension could cause the seat or handlebars to pop off while riding, increasing the likelihood of injury.

If you’re searching for a mountain bike online, you’ll have to measure your child to ensure a proper fit. Measure the child’s inseam and legs and compare it to the height of the frame, saddle, and pedals. If you’re unsure about proper sizing, reach out to the retailer or manufacturer with any questions.

Mountain Biking Safety Gear for Kids

Investing in safety gear protects your child during a mountain bike ride and ensures that they remain comfortable during the trip. Comfort could mean the difference between a love of mountain biking or a serious disdain for the sport.

Safe Mountain Bike Helmets for Children

One of the essential bike safety rules is to never ride without a helmet — adults included. You set a bad example for your children by not riding with a helmet, but you also risk severe head injuries should you become involved in an accident on the trail.

Helmets are important all of the time, whether you’re pedaling around the block, traveling up and down the sidewalk in front of your home, or riding the trails. While splurging isn’t typically necessary for most mountain biking equipment, you should expect to spend a decent amount of money on a helmet for your child.

When shopping for a helmet, it’s best to go to a physical bike shop or sporting goods store to have your child properly fitted. Purchasing a helmet from these local retailers also ensures that the helmet meets federal safety standards in your area.

If you must shop online for a child-size mountain bike helmet, Virginia Tech University offers information on bicycle helmet ratings.

Researchers based these ratings on the results of 24 impact tests. Some of the brands listed on the website offer helmets in kids’ sizes. Before committing to an online purchase, you must learn how to fit a bike helmet for children to ensure safety.

Safe Mountain Bike Apparel for Children

When heading out for a mountain biking trip, your child must dress appropriately, depending on the season, temperature, and weather conditions.

During the hot, humid summer months, provide your child with a variety of moisture-wicking jersey tops. Well-ventilated shorts and riding glasses with UV protection also help protect your child. Additionally, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin.
When the weather is colder, provide a bottom layer of moisture-wicking apparel with heavier garments on top. However, keep in mind that as a child rides, the body heats up. Ensure that they can easily remove layers and place them in their backpack during the trip.
For rainy weather, children should have a breathable, waterproof jacket with taped seams. It should be lightweight, easy to pack, and, if possible, have a removable hood.
Invest in child-size riding gloves. Whether you choose full-fingered gloves or open-finger styles, they’ll help prevent any callusing, irritation, or blistering during the ride.

How To Prepare a Child for Safe Mountain Biking

Once you’ve acquired a mountain bike, apparel, and all of the necessary safety gear for your child, it’s time to teach the basics of mountain biking.

Teach Proper Body Positioning

teaching a child how to properly position their body while mountain biking is critical for safety. Over time, they’ll become more in tune with their bike, moving their bodies based on the situation and terrain. Proper body position allows the rider to navigate the trails better while maintaining proper balance and control.

Some of the body positioning basics include:

Riding Uphill – When riding uphill, children may need to stand while pedaling and position their bodies forward to exert more force during an uphill climb.
Traveling Downhill – Traveling downhill requires the child to shift their rear end toward the back of the bicycle while extending their arms. This position allows for better control on a descent.
Turning – Shifting the body is essential during turns. Left-hand turns require the body to shift to the right as the bike moves left. The opposite is true for a right-hand turn.
Raised Pedals – When going over large rocks, tree roots, or other bumpy terrain, children should know to keep their bicycle pedals in the 9-and-3 position to prevent scraping their pedals against any obstacles.

When teaching your child to ride a mountain bike, emphasize the importance of keeping their eyes on the trail at all times.

Teach Proper Braking Techniques

Most mountain biking injuries occur on descents as the bike gains speed. If a rider loses control and hits an obstacle, the rate at which they’re traveling increases the force, which is extremely dangerous.

Proper braking techniques are crucial. Let children become comfortable with proper braking techniques before setting out on a mountain biking trip.

Teach the one-finger braking technique and how to keep their other three fingers on the handlebars for maximum control. Explain the importance of applying equal amounts of pressure to both levers to prevent flipping or skidding of the bike.

Additionally, practice “feathering” to maximize the lifespan of the brakes — gently alternate between pulling the brakes back and releasing them in succession. This action allows for better control.

Children should maintain awareness of their surroundings and know when to place their fingers on the brake levers so that they’re always ready whenever they need to stop or slow down.

Always Check the Bike Before a Trip

Before hitting the trails, teach your child how to check their bike to ensure it’s in good condition. A bike that breaks down on the trails means having to haul it home, or worse, severe injury.

Here’s what you should teach your child to look for when checking their bike:

Tires – Inspect the tires for cracks, splits, or items lodged in the rubber. Ensure you have inflated them properly. Teach your child how to use a bike pump to fill the tires and check the psi.
Brakes – Apply the brakes and make sure they’re correctly functioning. Check the quick-release mechanism and brake cables to confirm they’re not loose or undone.
Chain – Look for rust, dirt, or other debris, and ensure that the chain is adequately lubricated and secure.
Pedals – Check that the pedals are loose or damaged.
Wheels and Frame – Do an overall inspection of the bike frame and wheels to ensure they’re not bent or damaged.

Teaching your child how to inspect their mountain bike before riding gains more confidence with every trip. Additionally, talk to your child about regular bike maintenance to ensure the bike stays in good riding condition.

Taking Your Child on a Safe Mountain Biking Trip

Your child now knows the basics of mountain biking, from safety and body positioning to braking techniques and proper inspection. Now, it’s time to get ready for their first mountain biking trip!

Start Slow

Don’t jump right into intermediate trails with your child, even if you’re familiar with them. Instead, start with “Easy” or “Beginner” trails. These routes are shorter with fewer ascents, descents, and obstacles. Beginner trails are a great way to open your child up to the world of mountain biking without discouraging them.

Pack the Essentials

You’ll probably only need enough water, a flat repair kit, and maybe a snack for the first ride. However, as they become more comfortable riding the trails and extend the ride time, you’ll want to pack all necessities.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Water – Never go on a mountain biking trip without H2O. Keep at least 50 ounces (1.5 liters) per person for a one-hour journey. Increase this amount on hot, humid days or for longer riding adventures.
First-Aid Kit – Scrapes and scratches are common when hitting the trails, so bring along a small first-aid kit. Alternatively, just fill a zipper-lock bag with bandaids, astringent wipes, alcohol wipes, and an antibiotic ointment.
Tools – You don’t want to weigh yourself down with a bunch of tools, but it’s imperative to have at least a bike tool, hand pump, tire lever, and one flat repair kit per rider.
Snacks – Snacks are a must when mountain biking with children. Whenever you sit down to take a break, it’s nice to have a snack on hand to fuel the body.
Bug Spray – During the warmer months, you may find that the trails are full of mosquitoes and ticks. You can pretreat clothes with insect repellent or bring along a can of bug spray.

Stretch Beforehand

With the excitement of their first mountain biking trip, children will probably want to jump right on their bikes and get going. However, it’s essential to ensure that you and your child are in good physical condition. Ensure you’re adequately hydrated and well-fueled with a light meal or healthy snack. Before heading out, do a quick stretch.

Finally, never go out on a mountain biking trip when you or your child are tired. You’re more likely to injure yourself when tired, so get a good night’s sleep the night before the trip.

Take Breaks When Necessary

Don’t push your child too hard — know when to take a break. Sit down next to the river or under a canopy of trees and enjoy a snack. If your child appears irritated, exhausted, or as though they’re no longer enjoying themselves, end the trip. By pushing them too hard, you could easily ruin the magic of the mountain biking experience.

Final Thoughts

Mountain biking provides multiple mental and physical benefits for children. It teaches new skills, increases confidence, improves coordination and balance, and maintains physical fitness.

Because mountain biking is unpredictable, it’s essential to ensure your child stays safe. Use the tips outlined throughout this article, and your child will be good to go.

Now, go on! Get out there and ride the trails with your little one!