Watch One Dad Explain Why He Bought His Kids Dirt Bikes

Touching grass, togetherness, and critical thinking skills? Say less.

By: Janaki Jitchotvisut

Feb 14, at 9:44am ET

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Right up front, I have to tell you one thing: I didn't grow up riding motorcycles. Sadly, I wasn't that lucky.

But I did learn to ride bicycles as a kid, and I've told the story here before about how one of my prized childhood memories involved my grandfather and a bicycle someone had dumped in his yard. He and my grandma lived in a rural area, and someone dumped a couple of kids' bikes one day. Since he thought they might come back for them, he left them alone for a couple of weeks.

And there, they sat untouched, except maybe for some random insects that happened by. Or any of the stray dogs and cats that seemed to randomly find their way onto their property (and sometimes get adopted; that's the kind of people my grandparents were).

After he made up his mind that no one was coming back for these bikes, he started fixing up the most appropriately-sized one for me. If I remember correctly, it wasn't too badly damaged; just had some scuffs on the frame, and I distinctly remember a bent pedal. Both things were easy enough to fix if you were a consummate DIY-type like my grandfather, and you had a workshop full of hand tools and cans of Krylon.

Upon consulting me, my grandfather painted my new (well, new-to-me) bike a gorgeous blue. And I got to ride it whenever I wanted, while I was visiting. It wasn't motorized, but falling over in grass is a whole lot softer than falling over on asphalt, no matter whether you have a motor or not. At least, up to a certain speed, and depending on whether there are rocks or branches sticking out to give you a bad time when you land. You get the idea, though.

There's so much magic in the time that you, the important adult in a kid's life, spend with your kids. Or grandkids. Or nieces and nephews. Things you may not even realize at the time, but that will go on to shape those kids forever. Now, I also grew up playing video games, and I still love and play them today, but there are so many ways that spending time exploring outside can help the kids in your life develop important skills for the future.

Hand-eye coordination is a big one (and yes, it's also present in video games). Basic navigational skills, lessons about gravity (sometimes hard ones, if I'm honest), and even critical thinking skills are the kinds of things that are best learned hands-on.

It's play, yes; but it's also imparting all kinds of important lessons. And also, it's joyful. Even moreso if you, like Adam Riemann (who made this video), already love bikes. Your kids can tell if you're really excited, and your excitement and genuine enthusiasm will reverberate.

And no matter what else happens in life, those kids will know you have their back. Sure, it's about getting kids on bikes, but it's also about so much more than that.

Happy riding!