What does the phrase "It's just like riding a bike" mean to a child who hasn't yet learned to ride? A child who has never experienced the feeling of pedaling through summer, traveling faster and farther than he ever could before. Bike riding is a staple of childhood, a rite of passage into the world of motion, far from hand-holding yet still free from speed limits, seat belts and the responsibility that comes with driving a car. The pure joy it produces ingrains the motion indelibly into the muscles even as they grow into adulthood.

The following games and activities are intended to spur your children's biking adventures, from participating in a zig-zagging racing game to making their bikes the coolest on the block.

The tips listed below will help to keep children safe as they take command of the road:

1. First and foremost, always wear a helmet, even when riding in your own driveway.

2. Travel single file, going in the same direction as traffic and leaving a bike's length between riders.

3. Ride on a sidewalk if the street is really busy, but stick to the road when there are lots of pedestrians or driveways that cross the walkway.

4. Obey the traffic laws: Stop at all stop signs, signal before every turn, and yield to other vehicles when turning left.