Family (Biking) Matters is a monthly column that addresses questions and issues you may have as a person or family biking in the city. Don’t forget–– families come in all different shapes and sizes! If you have a question, write to hillfamilybiking@gmail.com.–– María Helena Carey
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Dear Family (Biking) Matters,
My family has fully embraced the family biking lifestyle and I’m looking for some great holiday gifts for my family members ages 4 to 40. Do you have any FUNctional bike gift ideas?
Bike Gift Hunting
Dear Bike Gift Hunting,
So glad that you’ve embraced the “family biking lifestyle”. The joy of biking is the one of the best gifts you can give to your family, so the Hill Family Biking organizers took your request especially seriously. We polled the entire team and came up with a solid cross section of gifts that should delight all the members of your family.
For The Littles
The best gift you can give the smallest cyclist in your family is the agency to help themselves and the two gifts below do just that.
First up is the Woom Pop Basket, the perfect basket for early pedal bike riders to hold everything from small locks, water bottles, headbands and small treasures. The BPA-free plastic and easy pop-off design allows for quick cleaning or carrying by hand when going on adventure by foot. Woom also sells compatible charms that will bring a smile to your child’s face. Note: This basket is compatible with Woom 2 & 3 bikes only.
Need something just for their water bottle? The PDW Wee Sip Cup Holder can adhere to handlebars of any bike, cinches for a snug hold and has a wide opening at the top to accommodate a standard bicycle water bottle or something wider like a Hydroflask with a rubber bottom.
One Bike Pump to Rule Them All
Chances are you have small sized wheels in your household, whether they belong to kids’ bikes or to a cargo bike. And you’ve probably had a really hard time pumping up those tires with a conventional bike pump. If any of this rings true, then the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive (Screw-top) Bike Pump is the bike pump you’ve been looking for. Unlike most bike pumps that require a lever to lock in place, the Lezyne bike pump has a screw top allowing you to squeeze the pump head into tight spaces. But don’t take our word for it: The Daily Rider uses this pump as their pump of choice for repairs and you can get it from them. Support your local bike shop!
While you’re at the bike shop, consider upping your pedal game with Crankbrothers Stamp pedals. Not only are they incredibly stylish, but the design is optimized to keep your foot glued to the pedal no matter what shoes you wear. These beauties are also available at The Daily Rider.
When In Doubt, Strap It Down
Sometimes you need to carry oddly shaped items on your bike. Having the right tools with you marks the difference between an easy ride home and potential disaster.
Voile Straps are the Swiss Army Knife of straps and are small enough to keep on you at all times.
Rollercam Straps are for heavier duty endeavors and can hold odd-sized loads like a carry-on suitcase on a Capital Bikeshare rack. Just don’t lend them to friends: you might not see them again!
Dude, Where’s My Bike?
Are you ready to give a little more independence to your adolescent cyclist? Don’t take for granted that they’ll remember the little things! However, you can keep your anxiety under wraps with these incognito AirTag holders that come in bell, rear reflector or water bottle cage varieties.
Make Your Bike Fleet Shine
These fun wheel lights will brighten your child’s day and light their way. Be sure to make them an early holiday present, so they can glow as they ride during the Holiday Lights Ride on 12/14, the first-ever Hill Family Biking ride after dark! More info and RSVP here.