Touring with Children or in Groups
The TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour proudly welcomes many, many families and groups to the ride each year.
Whether pedaling on their own or riding in a seat or trailer, kids love the energy of the ride and the views of New York. Here are some guidelines and suggestions for adults riding with children.
The TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour proudly welcomes many, many families and groups to the ride each year.
Whether pedaling on their own or riding in a seat or trailer, kids love the energy of the ride and the views of New York. Here are some guidelines and suggestions for adults riding with children.
- Children ages 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Children under one year old may not participate.
- Strap young passengers into a child's seat or trailer that is attached firmly to your bike.
- Fill out the emergency contact label inside your child's Tour vest, including your cell phone number and the number of a non-cycling contact.
- Talk about a plan ahead of time in case you get separated. Instruct your child to seek out a Tour marshal wearing a yellow vest. The marshal will guide him or her to an Information/Reunion Center. Staff there can communicate with other Information/Reunion Centers and Tour Command to reunite you.
- Make sure your child has a phone or a few quarters for telephoning. Decide on a third-party person you both will call and make sure you have that phone number written out for each of you. If only the parent has a cell phone, make sure your young rider has that number.
- Finally, make sure your young rider has a little money so that if s/he reaches Fort Wadsworth before you, s/he can eat while waiting for you to arrive.
- Make sure you and your friends have stored important phone numbers: a non-cycling contact, the name and number of your hotel, and your group members' home and cell numbers. Designate a non-cycling friend to take calls during the Tour and be your personal message center.
- Make sure all cell phones are charged, and bring along quarters or a calling card for pay phones just in case.
- Plan to meet at the Festival Information/Reunion Center in case you need to regroup at the end of the ride.
- If you're looking for someone, ride to the next rest area Information/Reunion Center rather than waiting on the road, since your companion may be ahead of you. If you don't find him or her at the rest area, tell the volunteers where you last saw the person.
- Use the message boards to communicate with adults in your group. Post your message ("John Doe: Meet you at the Festival Reunion Center," for example) under the first letter of the last name of your companion.
- Make sure everyone in your group knows the procedure.
