10 ways to keep your kids safe when cycling on a hot day

It's really important to keep your kids safe when cycling on a hot day.

It's tempting as soon as the hot weather arrives to get overly excited and head out on a massive family bike ride without thinking of how to protect your child from the possible downsides of hot weather.

So, here are 10 things you need to know to make your family cycle ride in the sun safe and fun.

10 ways to keep your children safe when cycling in summer

1) Water, water, water

Don't underestimate the amount of water you'll need to carry when cycling on a hot day. Carry as much as possible in water bottles on your bikes, and lots extra in extra bottles in your bags.

You can get small sized bottle cages and bottles that fit to junior bikes.

For a small kids bike, a side opening bottle cage is better than one that opens at the top where it's difficult to get the bottle in and out.

Handy hint: Make sure your child's bike has the fitting points on the frame before buying a bottle cage! 

Do you have enough water to cope with unexpected situations such as your kids pouring a bottle over their heads to cool down, or wash their bike because it's "looking dusty"?

One way to stop this waste of water is to have a non-spill bottle for the kids, such as the CamelBak kids cycling water bottle although note that this won't fit in a bottle cage so will need to carried in a rucksack, pannier or basket.

Another great solution is to get your child to carry their own water in a junior hydration pack - this allows them to sip regularly throughout the journey and is useful if their bike won't fit a bottle cage.

Camelbak makes some great kids sized hydration packs. The Camelbak Mini Mule comes with pockets for older kids and is a great hydration system for children.

We've had a huge amount of use out of our camelbaks over the years, and like the way you can buy new mouthpieces if you have a child who chews things, or when you need to pass on to a younger sibling.

A germ friendly option is to get a different colour valve for each person in the family to make it easier to identify who is who's.

• Read more about kids hydration packs

2) Take it easy when cycling on a hot day

Cycling in hot weather is exhausting, so plan your route carefully.

If you have any doubts about your kids ability to complete a route, then rethink your plans.

3) Seek out the shade

When you take a break from riding, try and keep your children cool.

Often kids will run off and play but try and get them to rest in a shady place before getting on their bikes again.

4) Protect your kids from the sun

Apply sunscreen regularly on all exposed parts, and cover up with thin, wicking layers.

A kids cycling jersey is one good way to help regulate their temperature. Some T-shirts now come with insect repellent and UV protection too, so skin doesn't get burnt through the material.

Eyes are just as vulnerable to damage by the sun, as well as to flying bugs, so kids sunglasses are really important.

For the under 2's look for specially designed baby sunglasses which have a strap to keep them in place - very handy, or you'll find they threw them out of the trailer miles back!

5) Carry a sun hat for when helmets come off

For your kids and yourself (especially if you're going thin on top!)

6) Take extra care of little passengers

Babies and small children in cargo bikes, bike seats and cycle trailers are particularly vulnerable when you're cycling on a hot day - make sure their delicate skin is protected, and they remain hydrated.

If they're in an enclosed trailer make sure they're not overheating.

In cargo bikes and bike seats remember that they're just sitting there, so they may actually get cold, and need warmer clothing than everyone else.

If you're cycling in the hot weather while pregnant, take it very easy - avoid overheating and dehydrating.

7) Don't take chocolate

Flapjacks, bananas and malt loaf are child-friendly alternatives that will give them the energy needed to complete your family bike ride but won't melt. Alternatively, you can resort to the cyclist favourite - jelly sweets.

8) You should always have an ice cream stop

This is my 7 year old's number 1 rule for cycling on a hot sunny day!

9) Mad dogs and family cyclists go out in the midday sun

If you can, plan to take the kids cycling on a hot day either early in the morning, or later in the afternoon to avoid the main heat of the day.

10) Water, water, water

Did I mention this? If you're going cycling on a hot day always carry more water and other drinks than you think you'll need. This is additionally important if you're not going to be able to refill en-route.

And if it all gets a bit too hot, you may need to find novel ways to cool down!

BONUS TIP #11!  - Keep heads cool while cycling

Thanks to Peter, who read this article and got in touch about keeping your child's head cool on a hot day without needing to dip it in a trough of water.

In hot weather the difference between a bike helmet with good ventilation and one without will be really noticeable.

If your child is wearing a full-face helmet then take particular care they're not overheating inside it.

If you're not doing the type of cycling that necessitates a helmet, and are comfortable for your child to ride without one, then Peter highly recommends bucket hats, having used them on summer touring.

"For those happy to have their sprogs ride without helmets a bucket hat keeps sun off ears much better than a cap, and also shades the neck a little too.

Also cooler than a helmet: even with vents a couple of cm of polystyrene makes heads hotter! Here we are, bucket hats in action on a summer tour!"

Have a wonderful time, and don't forget that if the forecast is for ridiculous temperatures, you can always reschedule your ride!

This article was first published on 6th July 2014, and was edited in June 2024, when it was sunny again!  (We do live in Cumbria, UK, where it usually rains all summer!)

Other posts you may like to read whilst you're here:

• The best kids summer cycling gloves
• The best kids packable waterproof cycling jackets
• The best kids bikes; our pick of the very best
• Is your child’s bike helmet fitted correctly?
• The best rear bike seats for toddlers and small children
• How do I pull a child's bike behind my bike?
• How to start cycling your kids to school