Most families enjoy cycling together for recreational purposes because it is very relaxing and gives them a good chance to become closer. In the past, families only allowed children to ride their bikes in their own neighborhood but the areas where children ride has expanded far from home. The children had very few choices over where they could ride to enjoy nature because the streets were often paved in asphalt and were deep within the city limits.



The chance to go cycling in the woods was very limited because the homes that children who could afford bicycles were often located in the middle of suburbia and construction crews had cut most of the trees down when they built the neighborhoods. Families turned to public recreation areas to give their children a chance to enjoy fresh air and sunshine and the opportunity to spend a little time together.

Bike paths are plentiful throughout all national parks, and children only have to consider what type of biking that they want to do. They can go cycling on nature paths if they have a bicycle equipped with tires that are suitable for all terrains, and some are lucky enough to get a mountain bike as a gift from family or friends. Boys would generally prefer to own a mountain bike because their recreational interests lean more toward doing stunts and driving bikes through dirt than riding one on an asphalt surface that could do serious damage to their body if they fell off.

Little girls loved riding along bike paths that were far from busy traffic areas because that is where they felt the safest. The bicycles that they would bring with them to these parks would be one that only one person could ride, but they might bring along a tricycle if they had a small sister that wanted to ride with them.

When families visited a State Park, they could all enjoy riding various types of bikes for recreational purposes and parents would know that the children were getting good exercise while having a good time too. Some of the children might race against each other in parking lots, or they could take their cycling to the streets where they could pedal for hours without any obstacles getting in their way. There were many people who practiced their cycling team challenges at the park, and children loved to sit and watch them race.

Most children were satisfied that they were outdoors and rarely came when called the first time because they would not be ready to inside. When using a bicycle for recreation purposes, most children would find things to put in the spokes just so they could hear the puttering sounds as the pieces of cardboard went round and round. Cycling is still fun for these children and they probably will take their own children biking one day. Cycling in state parks will be around for a long time to come and most children know this and have the presence of mind and patience to wait for the next opportunity.