Riding by herself

[Aggie_Ama]

I am only 26 and my how times have changed! When I was growing up in suburban Austin, I road the 2 miles to school. It was a liberating feeling, even for an elementary schooler. I started at 9 years old and continued until I finished elementary. No helmet, never worried about flats, never worried about the chain. Weirdly, I have so much trouble getting a chain on now but I could do it when I had my old 10 speed!

I think a cell phone is a good bet. I am personally annoyed as all get out with these tweens texting and talking on their cells but I see the use. A Tracphone or something similar would be great.

[DirtDiva]

What's a Tracphone?

[Zen]

TracFone here

[Melalvai]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I like having her pick out a bright jersey or jacket she'd be willing to wear. That's a good idea.

I forgot to mention, she has taken BikePro.

I'm against a cell phone for her partly because of cost but mostly because it irritates me to see her classmates chatting on their cell phones all the time.

[anneimall]

Hi Melalvai.

May I ask, how does your daughter feel about all this? Is she excited about the new responsibility and independence, or is she fearful? If she is happy about it, I think you've done a great job of preparing her (although, I would give her the cellphone myself ... especially if you have any fear for her safety).

Do you really live in a scary place, or are you just a concerned mom?

I also think you should take her shopping to pick out something cool to wear. shopping for something herself will help make riding home a positive experience.

[mupedalpusher]

Melalvai, I bet your daughter will do fine. I agree there are some dicey areas out there but if she's staying off the section between Bethel and Nifong she should be fine. Where will she cross Providence? Hopefully she will remember everything you and her very good cycling instructors taught her.
As far as the cell phone, I probably would get her one. We've wished that we had one on occasion for our 11 year old although we are opposed to her having one all the time. We've about decided to get a "go-phone" that we keep and only give to her when she needs it. She won't be allowed to carry it all the time like 99% of her friends! I haven't quite convinced myself that it's not a waste of money but on the other hand the peace of mind will be worth it.

[mupedalpusher]

I looked yesterday and the trac-phones or go-phones and they aren't that much cheaper than adding our daughter to our plan. But, it has no contract so if it's abused we just drop it and it will allow us to make it an "emergency" only line, and there is no chance of all our minutes getting used. We did this with our son when he was an early teen. He mowed lawns in the summer so I wanted him to have it for safety and to call me for a ride but no other use. He was very good with his, he only used it like we asked. I really expected it to be an issue but I think he knew we were serious so he actually obeyed that rule. Nearly every kid in my daughters 5th grade class has a phone...makes me ill sometimes.
We are still tossing around this whole go-phone thing but in your case it would be a good idea for her to have.

[KathiCville]

The TracFone might do the trick. I have one that I use mainly for texting my BF through the day with little odds and ends that wouldn't be worth a phone call. As long as it's used mostly for texting or for phone emergencies, it's pretty economical. And it doesn't offer any games that kids would find interesting for more than about 2 minutes, LOL!....If you get her something like a TracFone, she could send you a quick text message (e.g. "On my way") just as she puts foot to pedal. That way you'll know she's in transit.

I can't remember if you mentioned adding a horn or other noise-maker to the bike. If not, it might be worth a few extra bucks.

Also, if she likes lights, think about adding Tireflies to her valve stems. (I've seen them at Target and WalMart.) Or there's a gizmo I saw recently at Target made by Schwinn that attaches to spokes---forms designs or words as the tire spins---easy to turn on and off. Would add another level of safety if she's riding on a gloomy or dark day..........The Road ID folks also sell Supernova Fireflies in green, blue and red that can be clipped on to a saddle bag or worn on a wrist band. Turn on and off with a simple twist. Very bright. To my BF's amusement, I have one in every color! Check them out at www.roadid.com.

[alpinerabbit]

I would advise against the pepper spray (not that the conversation has insisted on it). The usual things speak against it.

Also, if the bike breaks down she can always walk - it's only 3 miles.

[tulip]

Kudos for doing this. I won't bore you with another "when I was 12 story." (Actually when I was 12 my family moved to the country and I had to be driven everywhere after years of freedom in the city with public transit and my bike).

This will contribute to her independence, self-sufficiency, and responsibility. It is good.

[Pedal Wench]

Most cell phones will give you a list of calls made. You'll know immediately if she's using it for anything besides calling you. If you trust her on her own with a bike, you have to be able to trust her to follow the rules you set for her phone usage.

[DirtDiva]

TracFone here

Ah, so it's just a prepaid/pay-as-you-go company. Cheers.

[Tuckervill]

I don't know if it is still true, but even old phones that aren't connected would work for calling 911--back in the day.

I got my kids phones for *my* convenience, not their's. However, I have boys who are not known for their gabbiness. My mid son did abuse his, but it was mostly texting that got him--fortunately he had a job and he paid that $300 bill. That was several years ago, when the plans weren't as good, too. Texting was new.

My youngest is not allowed to give his cell number out to anyone I don't know personally. He does have a friend from Memphis who calls regularly, but they're both on unlimited plans so it doesn't matter.

The conversation should be about social graces (talking to someone on the phone while other friends are right there in your presence, talking too loudly, multiple calls to the same person in a short time span), rather than the phone itself, I think. All those are things I've seen teenagers do to each other. They might not find it rude, but it won't fly as they get older.

Good luck--it's a hard decision to allow more freedom when you feel uncomfortable in some way.

Karen

[KSH]

Well, I'm a 35 year old woman and I won't ride my bike without a cell phone, even if I am riding with a group. It's always nice to know that I need to call for help (I can't ride back to the start, my tire is unfixable, etc.), that I can do that without flagging down a stranger for help.

Otherwise, she sounds good to go!

[singletrackmind]

Way back when (maybe 17 years ago?) I used to ride to school. It was probably about 3 miles. We were very poor, and dad needed the car for work. I remember mom and dad taking me on the route and pointing out the "safe houses" where I could go if I got scared. Don't remember what the program was called, but designated safe houses had a child sticker on the front window so kids could know they could go there... We rode the route a few times. I didn't have any bike repair supplies or a cell phone. But it was fun.

Might be a good idea to give her some options of what she can do if she starts to feel unsafe at any given point of the ride. Even though I never had to run to a safe house, I knew where it was in case I needed it. More than likely she won't need the options, but it wouldn't hurt.

In St. Louis county they're called Block Homes. The program is a little rigamarole to get into but not too bad, if you're around about the time kids are going to or coming from school look into it by calling the elementary school in your district. We have an 8 1/2 x 11 card in a front window to let kids know we're a safe home. I did it even without school-age children in my district. The more the merrier.

I'd heard that thing about 911 calls on out of service phones too, but don't know if it's still any good either.