How To Get Teens Into Cycling

Whether you’re an avid cyclist hoping to get your teen into your hobby, or they’ve expressed an interest in cycling themselves, introducing teenagers to cycling can be a great experience for both of you.

From improved fitness to increased independence, there are multiple benefits to cycling for teens. But it’s important not to force them into it. Instead, it should be organic – which means helping them to discover the type of cycling they like best and supporting them as their interest grows. Let’s take a look at some top tips for getting teenagers out and about on two wheels.

"I have two daughters—one heading into sixth grade and the other starting ninth.They both enjoy riding, and my oldest will be joining her high school cycling team this year. I’m excited to see where their bikes take them, both literally and in life."

Scott Williams - dad, teacher and GOREWEAR athlete

Decide on the Type of Riding Style

Just as with adults, some teenagers will be more drawn to road cycling, while others will prefer the thrill of speedy downhill mountain biking. Be careful not to force your favorite type of cycling on them. You might be a keen road cyclist, but maybe they prefer getting out into the countryside on off-road trails – so you might want to explore a few different styles with your teen to find the one that best suits them.

Road

Road cycling, as the name suggests, involves cycling on roads – although it can also include bike paths and greenways. Road bikes are typically lightweight and have thin tires, designed for speed and efficiency. 

Benefits of road cycling

Road cycling can be great fun, and if you’re also a road cyclist, there’s nothing better than a long ride with your teen at the weekend. It’s:

• A brilliant way to build fitness and endurance

• Sociable, with plenty of road cycling groups offering different pace groups for riders of all abilities

• Good for building road safety and traffic awareness

• Great for teens who enjoy speed and measuring their performance gains over time

Gravel

Gravel riding sits somewhere between road and mountain biking, blending elements of both. It takes place on unpaved roads, forest paths and mixed terrain routes, using specialized bikes that are designed to handle rougher terrain than a road bike.

Benefits of gravel cycling

Some of the benefits of gravel cycling include:

• It offers adventure beyond the road, without the technical skills needed for mountain biking

• It’s rapidly growing in popularity, meaning there’s a welcoming community with plenty of organized events

• Less traffic meaning a safer environment

MTB

Mountain biking (MTB) involves riding on rough, unpaved trails. It can involve steep uphills and downhills, and there are usually obstacles, jumps and technical features to navigate, meaning you need a specialized bike that can handle tricky terrain.

Benefits of mountain biking

Mountain biking is exciting – perfect for thrill seekers who love an adrenaline rush. Other pros include:

• Build great bike handling skills – giving teenagers confidence on the bike

• Strong community culture with plenty of events and gatherings

• Build a deep connection with nature as you explore outdoor trails

• There’s a clear route for progression through increasingly challenging trails

How to Grow Your Teen’s Confidence on Two Wheels

Whether they’re hitting the trails or riding on the road, becoming comfortable with cycling can take time and practice. If your teen is new to cycling, here’s how to help improve their skills and build up their courage.

Listen to Their Concerns

You might be an experienced cyclist, but it’s natural for any beginner cyclist to have worries. Rather than dismissing their concerns, take time to understand their perspective. Whether they’re worried about falling off the bike or not being able to keep up with their friends (or with you), let them express their issues – then offer them reassurance and practical solutions.

Buy High-Quality Riding Gear

Investing in high-quality gear will not only make your teenager feel safe on the bike, but it’ll also help them to become more confident. After all, when we look good, we feel good, too. The basic teen and kids’ bike gear should include:

• A well-fitting helmet that meets safety standards (without damaging their street cred)

• Gloves to protect their hands

• Bib shorts, a cycling jersey and base layers 

• A rainproof cycling jacket to protect against the elements

Remember that teenagers can often be image-conscious, so try to involve them in choosing their cycling gear, so that they’ll actually wear what you buy.

Let Them Adventure Solo

It can be tempting, as a parent, to accompany your teen on every ride. But once they’ve been on a couple of rides with you and have demonstrated they can cycle safely and responsibly, it’s important to let them venture out solo. It’ll help them to build up confidence in the saddle, whether they’re exploring on their own or with friends.

Recap on Safety Advice

Reiterate the importance of staying safe when out on two wheels – but try not to lecture them. Instead, it’s a good idea to engage them in conversation about various aspects of cycling safety, including:

• The importance of wearing helmets and staying visible

• Basic traffic rules and hand signals

• How to perform safety checks on their bike

• What to do in case of emergencies or mechanical issues

Don’t Treat Them Like Children

But remember – your teenagers aren’t children, and it’s important to give them some level of autonomy over their own decisions. Cycling should be fun (especially for children and teenagers), so let them decide where they want to cycle and at what pace. 

If you’re cycling together, you could also give them certain responsibilities, like maintaining their own bike or researching local group rides. Giving teens these kinds of meaningful roles in the cycling process can significantly increase their engagement in the sport.

Bring Them to Your Cycling Club

If you’re a member of a cycling club, why not bring them along? It can be a brilliant experience to enjoy some teen bike trips together, and it also introduces them to other members of the cycling community, which can expand their social circle – and may even introduce them to new mentors or cycling buddies. 

Create an Element of Competition

A bit of healthy competition between family members can be a great way to motivate your teen. You could set monthly goals for each member of the family to meet – with a focus on improvement and participation, rather than winning to keep it positive.

You could also consider tracking progress with apps like Strava, so your teen can compare their progress on segments over time. Or if they prefer more structured competition, look into local racing events or cycling clubs with youth programs where they can compete against their peers.

Explore New Places

One of the joys of cycling is exploring new places under your own power. Let your teen come up with ideas for trips to interesting destinations, whether to a local landmark, a favorite restaurant, or simply to a friend’s house. 

For more experienced riders, you could even consider planning a bikepacking adventure, where you cycle to a camping spot and stay overnight. 

Don’t be Afraid to Go It Solo

This final tip is for you as a parent – don’t forget about your own cycling. Cycling together as a family is wonderful, but it’s also important that you let your teens explore on their own. And that means that you can continue to have your own two-wheeled adventures too.

When your teen sees you making time for your own rides, it’ll help to reinforce your passion for cycling – which can be far more convincing when it comes to encouraging them to ride, rather than lecturing them about the benefits.

Nurturing a Lifelong Cycling Passion

Cycling can be a great activity for teenagers, so if they’ve expressed an interest in it, you can encourage them to pursue the sport – but it can be a delicate line to walk between giving them the guidance they need as well as the freedom to explore on two wheels and build their confidence.

Remember, there’s no need to be chasing distances or elevation at this age – the goal is to nurture a love of cycling that lasts a lifetime. So keep it positive, celebrate their progress, and don’t be afraid to take a step back and let them discover the joy of two wheels on their own terms.

Curious what it looks like when cycling becomes a family thing? Check out Scott’s story next.