What Do I Need?

SHOES

Shoes are an important part of your cycling gear. They protect your feet from scrapes and scratches when pedaling or when you stop. While any type of shoe will work, it is best to avoid open-toed shoes like sandals or flip-flops. If you are a cyclist that is training, it is recommended that you wear a shoe with a non-flexible sole. This will allow the maximum transfer of energy from the foot to the pedal.

You can also get shoes that physically attach you to the pedals while you're riding. Clip or clip-less pedals are popular for those cyclists that are training for long distances. It's recommended that only experienced riders use these type of pedals/shoes. These types of shoes take some getting used to when starting and stopping as it requires an extra step to detach from the pedals before stopping. Young riders may not be coordinated enough to prevent themselves from falling with these types of shoes.

If you decide to wear shoes with laces, make sure that the laces are not too long. It is very common for kids to get their laces caught in the chain. Shoes with Velcro or other methods of securing the laces are recommended.