Kids on bikes. It's as natural as teens on cell phones and diapers on babies. And since it's spring, kids on bikes are out and about -- racing friends, showing off their wheels, trying not to teeter over.

And just like teens on cell phones and diapers on babies, kids on bikes can be a dangerous combination. Keeping your kid's death-defying stunts to a minimum might be slightly easier if you're leading the expedition.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: location, location, location. There are good and safe places to bike, and then there's Forbes Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Washington Boulevard ... But those boisterous 9-year-olds will soon tire of their allotted mom-approved neighborhood blocks. Where to go?

Luckily, Pittsburgh has quite a few mostly flat, car-free spots suitable for tots on training wheels and fledgling daredevils. Venture Outdoors, a nonprofit outdoors enabler, offers bike rides throughout the summer -- many kid-friendly.

"Many of our Adventure Bike Tours are on Rails to Trails, so most kids can do that," said the organization's Courtney Bell. She suggests 12 as a minimum age for the rider. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412-255-0564 for upcoming events and more information.

The Rails to Trails program is a godsend for those who like to bike but aren't keen on hills. Pittsburgh and most of southwestern Pennsylvania is criss-crossed with a slowly growing labyrinth of Rails to Trails bike and walking paths. While your family might not be ready for the long haul to Washington, D.C., via the 150-mile-long Great Allegheny Passage, short bits of the myriad local trails that compose the Passage trail, and other bike paths, are mostly flat, mostly well-maintained and easily accessible. Maps, events and more are available at www.atatrail.org and www.railtrails.org.

Don't ignore Frick Park, South Park, North Park and Schenley Park. They're all great for off-street bike riding.

A paved path at Frick's Beechwood Boulevard entrance is better for first-time training-wheel adventures, letting off-road beginners avoid the hazards of loose pebbles and roots. Older brothers or sisters can wear themselves out on the dirt hiking and biking trails, a few of which loop back to the paved path, so they don't have to wander far. The paths aren't well marked, though, so it's best for them to go with a guide or escort the first time around.

Similar opportunities exist at most county parks and some municipal parks. Don't forget culs-de-sac, playgrounds and paths in the vacant woods where previous generations have biked .

Need help? Golden Triangle Bike-n-Blade shop is conveniently located on the Eliza Furnace Trail, off First Avenue under the Light Rail Transit bridge.

If flat biking bores your cycle posse, it's time to branch out and Pedal Pittsburgh.

The May 18 event is one that cyclists love and motorists love to hate. The open-road course -- cyclists and motorists have to share -- winds all over Pittsburgh with races ranging in distance from six to 60 miles.

"It's a very family friendly event -- 15 to 20 percent of the riders are families," said Jen Fox, a coordinator of Pedal Pittsburgh.

Because the courses are open to cars, young bikers need to know traffic laws and basic safety. Pedal Pittsburgh introduced a six-mile trail ride for youngsters who aren't quite ready to navigate between traffic, parked cars, intersections and other bikers. The shorter course starts with all the other cyclists at Station Square and follows the trail to SouthSide Works. After a break outside REI outdoors outfitter, riders turn their bikes around and peddle on back to Station Square.

"It's very safe, all on the trails," said Fox. "The 15-mile ride is all flat. It's sort of the next jump, a graduation."

To register or for more information, visit www.pedalpittsburgh.org.