How can I get a copy of Pedal Pioneers
You can receive a copy by ordering  online, or calling 1-800 755-2453. They are $10.05 for members of Adventure Cycling and $15.05 for non-members, plus shipping and handling.

What age group is the Guide for?
Pedal Pioneers is best for any age group that can bicycle independently. Typically, children in sixth grade and above have knowledge of bicycling and safety skills. However, a bicycle safety program is a key component to any youth trip. The Guide is also helpful for organizing college-age trips and family trips.

Does the Guide include lesson plans?
The Guide does not contain official lesson plans for classroom use. However, there are hints and activity suggestions throughout the Guide in sidebars. The section and chapter organization makes it easy to adapt to classroom use, and some users have already adapted the Guide to be used as curriculum. You can visit our Youth Bicycle Forum for an exchange of curriculum suggestions.
 
Will the Guide work for my family trip?
Pedal Pioneers is designed to inspire adults to lead groups of kids on bicycle adventures. If you plan on riding with your family, there are many suggestions that are helpful in this Guide, from route planning to accommodation options. However, we discuss many things, like recruiting and retaining participants and group dynamics, that may not pertain to your family trip. We also do not discuss the parent/child relationship in great detail, nor the use of bicycle trailers, trail-a-bikes, or child seats.

Does the Guide address bicycle safety?
Yes and no. The Guide does have a safety section. In it we address who will teach safety, a basic safety check, fitting a helmet, fitting a saddle, staying connected on the road, traffic laws, and bicycle touring tips. We presume that you are a skilled cyclist and stress that knowledge of traffic laws is vital for youth tours. Pedal Pioneers should be supplemented with your own materials and specific bicycle safety program. A list of resources for such safety programs can be found in the appendix.

Is the Guide helpful for family or small trips?
The Guide is geared toward organizing trips for groups of kids, addressing topics like participant recruitment and group communications. However, most sections are equally valuable to adults organizing family or small trips. The pack list, route planning, food discussion, accommodations, and almost everything else still apply.

Do you discuss bike trailers, bike seats, and trail-a-bikes?
We do not, as the Guide is designed for groups of kids who can ride independently. Much of the information would still be helpful if you are organizing a trip that involves youth, as we discuss start and end-point logistics, first aid and health, navigation, and much more.

I have never taken a group of kids for a ride before. I have never done an overnight trip. Is this Guide for me?
Yes! Though the Guide is geared towards adults who have gone on multi-day bicycle trips, we are finding that there are many leaders who haven’t toured on bicycles before but are getting kids out on the trail with great success. Strong partnerships are key if your experience is limited – there should be at least one adult deeply involved in your trip who has enjoyed overnight bicycle travel. If you have the desire to make it happen, you can do it, but you will need some friends!

Who wrote the Guide…and why should I trust you?
The Guide was written by Adventure Cycling staff, with vital input from trip organizers, youth leaders, educators, and safety experts. Adventure Cycling Association has been leading group tours for over 30 years. Many of our editors and contributors have led youth trips, from supported overnighters to self-contained cross-country journeys. Over 60 pairs of experienced eyes and hands contributed to forming this resource.

How does a bicycle tour differ from a bicycle rodeo?
The Guide is intended to help folks organize multi-day tours. A Bicycle Rodeo is usually a few-hour to full-day event where youth learn bicycle handling and safety skills. As part of the safety training for your trip, a bicycle rodeo may be helpful. We print a separate Guide to Bicycle Rodeos that you can order from our store.

I want to start a bicycle club. Is the Guide for me?
There are many things in the Guide that would be helpful for you when getting a club started, including an extensive appendix of youth bicycling resources. And once your club is up and running, you should integrate an overnight bicycle adventure into your program! However, there are some great guides created specifically for designing a bike club. One Revolution at a Time: A guide to starting and running youth bike ride clubs is a fabulous publication by the New York based non-profit Recycle-A-Bicycle. Many local and statewide non-profit bicycle and pedestrian groups have great information and/or programs on bicycle safety. This can include anything from fact sheets on safety, to full fledged curriculums. Find your nearest bicycle organization or Department of Transportation in our online The Cyclists’ Yellow Pages. Another great resource is Safe Routes to School, a national and international movement to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bicycle and walk to school.

I want to introduce a bicycle safety program into my school, but am not ready to lead a trip. Is the Guide for me?
There are many things in the Guide that would be helpful for you when starting a bicycle safety program, including chapters recruiting participants and creating program proposals, and an extensive listing of bicycle safety programs and resources in the appendix. However, the Guide is NOT a safety manual, and any program that you implement will need additional safety resources. There are many incredible organizations and resources around the world that focus on bicycle safety. Please visit the links on the right hand navigation bar. Many of these groups are portals to vast resources and other organization links.

More questions? Contact or visit the Youth Bicycle Forum.