Despite the fact that nearly all children love to bicycle, few parents realize the potential to channel this enthusiasm into a family bicycle trip. Long-term travel with children is almost always done in a car or camper. On a bicycle children are too busy, too active and too visually stimulated to become bored or irritable. As constant participants rather than observers in the trip, their interest is continually aroused. Any child big enough to ride a ten-speed can go touring and carry full children's bicycle gear.
Younger children are best off pulled in a trailer.
Expect a child approximately nine years or up to cover an average of 40 to 50 kilometers a day, a pace that leaves plenty of time for breaks, sight-seeing and play after reaching your destination. Although most children are avid bicyclers, be prepared for frequent stops. Leave room in their handlebar packs for easy stowage of whatever items of clothing keep coming off and on. Another way to cut down on delays is to give each child his own water bottle, preferably the type mounted with velcro, an easy release mechanism. Mastering the art of taking a drink while underway is just the kind of challenge children like.