Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/669136
26 Hudson Valley Parent n May 2016 bike while using earphones and all bicycles must have a bell and a lamp if riding after sunset. In the beginning For the family trying to figure out places to start riding, look for paths that are paved, fairly flat and are away from traffic. To start kids when they are young, purchase a child bike seat or trailer for your own bike and take them for regular rides. If you want your child to became a biker you need to lead by example. Once they have learned to ride on their own bikes, plan your first trips carefully. The goal is to have fun, not bike for distance or speed. Approach the ride as a family outing with frequent stops and snacks so that they're eager to participate in the future. Joining with other families can make the ride more of a social event, taking the focus off exercise. According to Safe Kids World- wide, more children ages 5 to 14 visit emergency rooms for biking-re- lated injuries than for any other sport - so safety is important. For information on how to make sure your child's bike helmet fits correct- ly, log onto safekids.org/video/bike- helmet-fit-test. Area trails to explore One of the best beginner trails is happily one of the most spectacu- lar. The Walkway over the Hudson ( walkway.org) - formerly the Pough- keepsie Railroad Bridge - connects Poughkeepsie and Highland, offering a short but exciting experience. The 212-foot tall bridge is more than a mile long and has amazing views of the Hudson River down or upstream. It is usually crowded on the FAMILY BIKING IN THE VALLEY (Continued from Page 25)