Biking: Reston's design offers a perfect start for young riders

Photo by KBO Bike

There’s so much to love about Reston, but one of my favorites is seeing local kids out riding their bikes. On my daily walks around Lake Anne, I spot every stage of biking: toddlers wobbling on balance bikes, 5-year-olds pedaling to the farmers market with a parent, 7-year-olds trying tricks on homemade ramps, kids returning from the parent-child mountain biking program at Lake Fairfax, and older riders heading off with fishing poles in tow. They’re not just learning; they’re gaining confidence, navigating social interactions, and experiencing the joyful childhood we all imagine.

Nearly every morning at 7 a.m., I pass Elliott riding his bike while his dad walks their dog. They live in a nearby cluster, and as his dad told me, “Bike riding gives him a bit of freedom in the morning to socialize and get the wiggles out before school.” Their loop is about a mile, and since I first met Elliott at age 5, he’s progressed through different bikes and grown more independent. He now rides well ahead of his dad while they stay in touch via walkie-talkies.

Then there’s my neighbor Amelia, who started scooting on a balance bike at age 2. Now 4, she says she wants a “black, white, and red bike with pedals,” and word is she’ll be pedaling by summer. Her crew often stops by our quiet street—some still on balance bikes, others already pedaling on two wheels. That’s the beauty of biking: it’s social, full of confidence-building milestones, and encourages kids to actively engage with their world.

Reston was designed to break down barriers and connect neighborhoods through 55 miles of trails, allowing kids to move around without crossing major roads. Robert E. Simon’s original plan focused on creating a community for all ages, and the trail system—with more than two dozen underpasses separating people from traffic—was central to that vision. That vision comes to life when you see kids biking to school, playgrounds, pools, and village centers.

I can’t imagine my own childhood without biking; it’s how I got to friends’ houses, the library, and summer jobs. I didn’t grow up in Reston, so I asked Galen Mook what it was like for someone who did: “Being able to bike safely from my home to Lake Anne, to school, a girlfriend’s house, the pool, or to visit my grandparents who owned the used bookstore—it all gave me independence and a deep sense of connection to the community. As I got older, I extended my range, biking to Herndon to spend my allowance at the comic shop, or to Vienna to catch the Metro. The freedom to explore on my own terms—even at a young age—gave me a lifelong sense of curiosity and self-reliance.” Fittingly, Galen went on to launch Capital Bikeshare in Reston and now leads MassBike, Massachusetts’ state biking organization.

Unfortunately, children’s biking rates in the U.S. have dropped. Between 2001 and 2017, the percentage of kids taking 30-minute bike trips fell by more than 50%, according to American Community Survey data. Many communities feel unsafe or unwelcoming for families, and parents are understandably hesitant to let their kids ride near traffic. In contrast, Reston’s trail network, created more than half a century ago, shows what’s possible when communities are designed with children in mind. It supports biking as a normal part of childhood and functions like a built-in biking school. Knowing where kids can develop safe riding skills is key, and ideal spots depend on age, confidence, and ability. Sidewalks, trails, and low-traffic streets offer supportive spaces for young riders to begin a lifetime of learning.

Bicycling is more than just a pastime. It’s a gateway to freedom, health, and community. In Reston, biking is woven into the fabric of the place by design, and 60 years on, new generations continue to discover the joy of two wheels.