Hi Sara, I started taking my kids for rides when they were about 10. I think anything under that is not a good idea. Plus I had already been a rider for 18 years. As far as being a novice rider, I would not put my children on the back of my bike. But it is not so much what you think you can do, but rather remember what kind of idiots are out there. I am sorry to say, but you have not taken the class yet and you say "I want to be out there all the time". Well, when you are a mother, you CAN'T be out there all the time. I started taking my kids like I said when they were 10 but only a few times and only short distances. Most of the time, I could not get on my bike and it was parked in my garage. Just since they got older have I been on my bike a lot more but still prefer to spend my weekends doing something with my kids (because now they don't want to ride anymore..) I guess once they are out of the house, I will be out there "all the time" ... but...we'll get there...