Zion National Park may be known for its hiking. But while there are some family-friendly trails in the park, many are steep, long, and challenging. This can limit the amount of hiking that families can enjoy.
If you’re looking for a fun and accessible way for your family to enjoy a tour of the park, e-biking with kids is a great choice. With the addition of a child seat, your Greater Zion E-Bike becomes the perfect option for getting around Zion and Springdale.
Planning your first e-biking adventure? Keep reading to learn a few tips for riding with kids.
Choose the Right Bike
At Greater Zion E-Bikes, we have three models of electric bikes to choose from. Two of our models, including the RadRunner and the RadWagon, can accommodate a child seat or passenger seat package. If you know that you’ll be adding one of these packages to your reservation to accommodate a child on your bike, you’ll want to make sure to select one of these two models.
The RadRunner is own most popular e-bike cruiser. This e-bike is single-speed with a step-thru frame that makes it easy to get on and off your bike. Our RadWagon features 7-speed gears, as well as a front basket that you can use to carry essentials like snacks, water, and other gear.
Pick Between a Child Seat or Passenger Seat
E-bikes don’t come in child sizes or feature training wheels. But we do have two types of seats that allow you to bring children along for a fun e-bike ride!
The first is the Thule Yepp Maxi child bike seat. This child seat is available for just $20 with an e-bike rental. Our guides will install the seat on your e-bike for you, and show you how to safely load your child. This seat can accommodate children up to 40 pounds. It features a comfortable seat that allows your child to sit upright behind you and look around while your ride. A padded, 5-point harness holds your child safely in place. It also has adjustable foot rests and foot straps.
Our Passenger Package is a seat that can be added to our RadRunner and RadWagon bikes. This seat is best for older children who can comfortably sit on their own on a bike seat. If you have older children who you don’t want riding their own e-bike or who aren’t comfortable doing so, this is a great choice.
Take Active Breaks
E-biking with kids through Zion National Park is a great chance to enjoy the park’s stunning views and abundance of wildlife. But for little ones, long rides in a stationary seat may get boring after a while.
To keep kids engaged while you ride, try to plan active breaks. Take a short hike or nature walk. Play games in a picnic area. Stop at a playground to let your little ones get their wiggles out. Taking a break every hour or so will help little riders stay more engaged and relaxed while you ride.
Stop for Snack and Drink Breaks
Another great way to avoid cranky riders is to stop frequently for drink and snack breaks. Pack plenty of water, both for those peddling and those riding, as well as some trail or travel-friendly snacks, like trail mix, protein bars, dry cereal, and sandwiches.
Riding an e-bike can make cruising through Zion feel easy. But during the summer months, its still important to stay hydrated, even if you don’t feel like you’re getting a workout on your bike. The same goes for children riding on the back of your e-bikes.
Always Carry Layers and Sun Protection
While your e-bike’s motor will help you to power up steep hills and over long distances, you will want to peddle to extend your e-bike’s battery range and to start your motor each time. You’ll also be balancing on your bike, and focusing on watching for cars and shuttle buses, wildlife, and hikers. As a result, you might not notice when the temperature starts to feel chilly. That cool breeze might feel great to you; but to your little passenger who isn’t peddling, it can quickly get cold.
If you’re biking in the spring or fall, pack extra layers for your little one. Check with them throughout your ride to see when they might need something a little warmer, or when they might need help cooling off. Don’t forget that both you and your kids should wear and re-apply sun screen during your ride, no matter what season you’re riding in!
Start With Short Trips
Not sure whether your little one will enjoy an e-bike ride? Try starting with a shorter trip. At Greater Zion E-Bikes, we offer half-day rentals of just 4-hours, as well as hourly rentals available after 5 pm each day. These shorter rentals are a great way to try out e-biking with your family before committing to a full-day of riding.
E-Biking With Kids in Zion National Park
At Greater Zion E-Bike, we welcome families of all shapes and sizes! Stop by today or give us a call to learn more about e-biking with kids and to get your questions answered.
Ready to give e-biking with the whole family a try? Book a rental with Greater Zion E-Bikes today for your next trip!