Traveling by bike in Europe with children is an exciting experience and for the younger ones it can become an important means of release. 

Pedaling all day immersed in nature is a fun and stimulating way to discover new countries. Fortunately, there are many perfect routes for the whole family in Italy and in Europe, but before choosing the destination of your next trip, it's important to keep in mind a few simple rules that will make the trip easier for the little ones. 

Biking with children: useful tips

When traveling with children, it's crucial to pay attention to the choice of path, to avoid it becoming stressful or too challenging. Here are some tips to follow: 

• look for bike paths not connected to normal road traffic, the risk is definitely less; 
• plan the tour according to the rhythms of your little ones, considering play breaks, picnics, snacks, etc.;
• if the child doesn't pedal and needs to be carried, it's better to take turns between the parents so as not to accumulate too much fatigue; 
• in the backpack, never forget to bring water, a hat, and a rain cape;
• never tell a child the final destination, so that even the youngest can appreciate the whole path without anxiety about the end;
• if the family is not particularly trained, think about shortening the routes with trains, buses, and vehicles;
• decide up front child-friendly stages: not too long to tire him out and not too short either, in any case, basic training makes a difference;
• include in the tour also one or two days without biking; changing activities will be good for everyone.

How to travel with children who can't pedal yet?

Transporting children who can't pedal yet deserves a chapter of its own. There are several solutions, and for each, it's important to consider safety.

The trailer is the most comfortable and fun idea for little ones from a few months to about 2 years. The advantage of this kind of bike trailer is provided by the cover: if it rains or there's wind, the little one will remain well protected.

Then there are the seats, useful for transporting children from 2 to 4 years old; there are different types, classified according to the child's weight.

For older children, from 5 to 7 years old, one can finally opt for one of the possible extensions. The camel can prove to be the ideal solution for children who are learning to ride a bike independently: it's a half-bike that attaches to the adult's bike, who will therefore be helped by the child when he pushes on the pedals, while he will drag him when the child stops pedaling. Only caution: teach them not to pedal when you need to brake. Another possibility, perfect for children who already ride a bike alone is the towing bar, which connects the child's bike to that of the parent, lifting the front wheel of the little one. It's a useful way to let him pedal independently when he wants to and let him rest when he's tired.

Kid-friendly bike paths

In Europe, there are numerous perfect routes for the little ones, but here are some that you really shouldn't miss. 

The route on the Danube cycle path from Passau to Linz is characterized by short stages and a lot of free time. Nature and history are the combination of this family-friendly vacation: fairytale castles that emerge from the sparkling green of the landscape and small villages form the backdrop to bike adventures alternated with boat trips and historic trams.

The Drava cycle path, one of the most characteristic and famous European cycle paths. Who doesn't know it? If you haven't tackled it yet, we highly recommend it. The Drava River originates in Italy, near Dobbiaco, and the cycle path that follows its course starts shortly after the Austrian border. You pedal following the river bank, which in its initial part resembles a sparkling mountain stream with fresh, bluish water, before widening. The Drava tour starts from Alta Pusteria and crosses the Dolomites passing through Lienz, Villach, and Klagenfurt, and it's perfect for those traveling with children because it is mostly downhill: minimum effort, maximum satisfaction.

Lastly, riding on the Loire cycle path, another super classic for family bike vacations, you pedal among forests and castles that formed the backdrop to the history of the Kings of France. Accompanied by the great river and its tributaries, always on paths dedicated to bikes, you cross the most important places of the French Renaissance including the museum house where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life, with its park, where some of his inventions are reproduced in full scale, with which children can interact.

Want to take a bike trip with the whole family? On Cyclando, you can find lots of child-proof tours, in Italy and Europe, to travel safely and without worries!