Rumor has it that it is Spring. Hard to tell here in the beautiful, rainy, and hailing Pacific Northwest. The forecast looks like we may have some sunny days ahead, and what is better than riding your bike? But let’s get real we love riding bikes no matter the weather. Spring is a great time to get you and your kids ready for some epic bike riding.
Biking is a wonderful activity for your kids and you! Riding a bike is a fun way for us all to stay active and get some exercise. It promotes cardiovascular health, strengthens the muscles, and improves balance and coordination. Riding a bike gives kids a sense of independence and freedom. As they get older, kids can explore their neighborhood or ride to a friend’s house independently. Riding a bike with friends or family is an excellent way for kids to socialize and bond. It also promotes teamwork and communication. Learning to ride a bike requires persistence, determination, and patience. Once kids master this skill, it can increase their confidence and self-esteem. In addition, riding a bike is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to travel. By choosing to ride a bike instead of relying on cars, families can reduce their carbon footprint and help protect the environment.
So now we have covered how cool it is to ride, let’s explore the top bike shops in the area that sell kids’ bikes. Plus, we will share some other bike resources to help you and your littlest riders.
Top Three Bike Shops
River City Bicycles has a couple of different locations. This shop has been around since 1995 and has something for the entire family. They carry the best brands. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. It is a higher-end bike shop. River City Bicycles was named Best Bike Shop by Willamette Week’s Best of Portland 2022 reader’s poll. They also have been named a ‘Top 100 Bicycle Retailer’ every year since opening in 1995 and were named ‘Best Bike Shop’ in the nation in 2010 by Bicycle Retailer magazine.
Sellwood Cycle Repair is a full-service bicycle shop offering the sales and service of new and used bikes. According to their website,” We are known for personalized customer service and our commitment to treating all customers equally, from the youngest first-time rider to the seasoned racer. Our extensive collection of consignment bicycles ensures an ever-changing lineup that attracts the attention of bike shoppers (and bike nerds) from all over.” This is the quintessential bike shop.
Established in 1994, the Community Cycling Center shop is dedicated to lowering barriers to cycling and getting more people on bikes safely, economically, and conveniently. According to Community Cycling Center’s website, “Our vision is to build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected. We offer bikes to fit any budget and a wide array of new and used accessories so you can feel safe and comfortable on your ride. We also stock the most extensive selection of refurbished bicycles and used parts in town. If you already have a bike, you can bring in your bicycle for a free mechanical assessment and cost estimate.” Give them a shot…they have kid bikes.
Once you get your bikes, the city has the great “Portland Family Biking Guide.” It is a how-to manual for all stages of family biking. The guide has information to help prepare for all stages of family biking from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), including biking while pregnant, with kids of all ages, and helping kids prepare to bike alone. For additional resources, there is a Portland Biking Guide. This guide to biking in Portland includes tips, techniques, and street smarts (also from the Portland Bureau of Transportation), all to make your bike ride safer and more rewarding.
If your kids fall in love with biking, you may want to check out Pedalheads. Pedalheads has been helping kids conquer their bikes with confidence since 1995. They have summer camps for kids that include bike and trail camps. The camps go from June to August.
Are your kids riding bikes? Are you in the training wheel stage, or are they exploring your neighborhood on their own? Do you ride together? What are your favorite places to get your bikes? Did we get your favorite bike shop covered? We would love to hear from you.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.