Wheely good

Getting their own transport often marks a rite of passage for children. As kids, there’s a feeling of freedom that accompanies being out on your bike with your friends, being allowed to visit a friend’s house on your scooter, or the day or stabilisers come off and we totter along till we’ve built up enough speed to get our balance. When we’re older, it’s riding on the road, that first driving lesson, or the strange mixture of euphoria and terror that comes with our first solo drive after we’ve passed our test. 

Luckily, there are plenty of places to find expert help when it comes to buying a bike or scooter for your kids. Specialist retailers like Alpine Bikes, The Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative, Stonehaven’s Bike Remedy and Skyline in Cults are all able to supply quality bikes and safety kit. Sometimes, they also have second-hand bikes for sale. Gumtree and local Facebook marketplaces have a steady stream of pre-owed bikes that may just need a service and some TLC before being as good as new. Using a specialist means that you get a bike that’s well made and the right size for your child now and as they grow. They can also supply proper helmets and elbow pads for protection when the inevitable bumps and scrapes occur, as well as having some great ideas about where to go and organised events for the whole family.  

The city and shire offers a variety of safe routes for kids on bikes and scooters. The Old Deeside Railway Line from Duthie Park to Cults offers flat terrain that’s in good condition. There are plenty of joggers and people walking their dogs, so encourage politeness by using a bell. There is a section of the Deeside Way, a track that takes you from the city to Ballater without cycling on the road if you’re fit and like a challenge. 

Most parks have paved paths that are great places for toddlers to learn to ride their balance bikes and scooters. Aberdeen beach is also another good choice, given than older kids can cycle ahead for miles while still staying clear of traffic and little ones can stay close at hand. The prospect of a treat from one of the beach cafes or food trucks is always a bonus. Sticking on the coast, Transition Extreme offers an hour’s session in their indoor skate park for £7.50, which is great for budding BMX bikers. Inland, there are purpose-built bike parks at Tarland Trails and Aboyne Bike Park that offer terrain suitable for all levels of experience. 

Mountain biking is another brilliant off-road option for kids who’ve mastered riding on two wheels. Banchory’s Scolty Hill offers rugged enduro rides, though there are plenty of options in many of the Forestry Commission’s woodlands, up in the Cairngorms and on National Trust Estates.