What do I need to teach my child about looking all around, including behind, when riding in a straight line?

Being able to look around properly when riding is one of the most important skills when cycling. Your child will need to look around regularly in order to be aware of their surroundings and the presence of other riders or pedestrians when they are cycling.

Your child should get into the habit of always looking around—and at the last moment behind—before they start any journey. They should also get into the habit of looking behind to check if it is clear before moving to the left or right, before cornering, and before stopping. Your child will develop their technique of looking behind through practice. You can help them here by asking them questions as they cycle.

After they ride past you, ask them fun questions that require them to look behind to find out the answer. You can hold up a number of fingers and ask them to call out the number to you. Or you can ask them to call out what colour cone you’re holding behind them, or if you’re smiling or looking deadly serious!

When looking behind, your child should aim to keep their arms relatively still, as otherwise they will move the steering to one side, causing them to turn. Your child should rotate their hips to the side to help them look behind with more control. Resting their chin on their shoulder will also help them to look behind them properly.

Once your child has developed their technique of looking behind either shoulder, it will be more of a case of teaching them to look behind whenever they need to, in order to check if it is clear before starting, stopping, or changing their position, or in order to gain information on what’s behind them.

Looking All Around Including Behind When Riding in a Straight Line

Unii’s Learning to Cycle Journey shares how to teach your child awareness of their surroundings while on a bike.