Kids-on-Bikes

The sun is setting, bike tires humming on the asphalt, while intrigue tingles in the air. Maybe you’re chasing a pirate map like the Goonies, or pedalling furiously, E.T. in your basket, about to take flight against a moonlit sky. Or perhaps you’re investigating mysteries, inspired by Scooby Doo and the gang.

This month, we’re diving into ‘Kids-on-Bikes’ Adventures,or ‘youth ensemble adventures’… but that doesn’t sound as fun! These stories blend nostalgia with a touch of the supernatural to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence against a backdrop of high stakes.

From classic books to a certain RPG-infused Netflix show that took the world by storm, these stories have a special magic. But what makes them tick, and why do we keep coming back for more?

Giving Agency to Young Protagonists

When reading as a child, many of us would imagine ourselves in the protagonist’s shoes, being the one to solve the mystery, or save the day. That ultimate fantasy as a child of making real decisions gave us the taste of adulthood we craved.

Early books in the genre (Enid Blyton’s Famous Five, or Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children) often relied on absentee parents or rural communities where a lack of supervision was the norm… Contemporary stories need to take a different approach.

In today’s world of tracking devices, constant communication, and protective parenting, authors must find creative ways for young heroes to have unsupervised adventures. In Stranger Things, the boys’ parents believe they’re at each other’s houses during their adventures - a simple misdirection that gives them crucial freedom while maintaining plausibility.

Paper Girls uses its time-travel premise to render modern communication tools useless for large stretches, isolating the protagonists in unfamiliar eras. These scenarios strike a balance where young heroes can overcome genuine threats within their natural abilities and limitations.

So, how can you give your young protagonists agency in your next story?

• Find a reason why the parents aren’t checking up on the protagonists or aren’t able to do so. Are they on a camping trip with friends? Did a power outage leave communications out for days? Is your story set in the 80s or 90s?
• Define why adult intervention isn’t possible. Does the threat seem unbelievable to grown-ups? Would admitting the problem reveal another secret? Have previous attempts to get help been dismissed? The classic ‘no one will believe me’ scenario works especially well with supernatural or fantastical elements that adults would rationalise away.

Setting Up Group Dynamics

While solo journeys matter, group adventures tap into our need for belonging and teamwork. A group provides a natural hub for internal conflict (disagreements, differing personalities) and external problem-solving. The shared experience forges deep bonds, and members can take bigger risks knowing they have the support of their team.

Classic stories used fixed character types - the leader, the brain, the heart, and comic relief. The Goonies offer a prime example, with each member bringing a distinct, if somewhat predefined, skill or trait to their treasure hunt; Mikey led, Data invented, Mouth talked.

Modern ensembles show more variety and flexible roles. The group in Stranger Things, for example, has evolved significantly across its seasons. Characters grow, their relationships shift, and leadership can be situational.

However, writing compelling group dynamics isn’t without its pitfalls. Let’s take Scooby Doo as an example of how to counter these:

1. Creating too many characters who feel indistinct from one another. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby are very distinct and each have their own roles. Fred is a common sense leader, Daphne is fearless even in dangerous situations, Velma brings the scientific method, and Shaggy and Scooby provide comedic relief while always on the hunt for their next meal.
2. Neglecting potential intra-group conflict. Where would the fun be if Shaggy and Scooby weren’t constantly jumping at shadows? Their comical flight responses counterbalance the methodical investigation techniques of their friends while creating opportunities for them to stumble upon crucial clues through their desperate attempts to hide or escape.
3. Failing to give individuals satisfying personal arcs. While deep, evolving arcs are less common in episodic series like Scooby Doo, each character consistently embodies their distinct persona and contributes uniquely to resolving the mystery, which provides a form of narrative satisfaction for their individual roles.

Seeking Adventure in Your Own Backyard

The appeal of ‘Kids-on-Bikes’ stories comes from how ordinary settings and characters can become extraordinary. Through a child’s eyes, everyday locations transform into magical worlds.

That said, where these adventures take place has evolved across the decades. Pre-1970s narratives favoured rural settings, islands, and nature, as seen in Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons where a lake became a playground for imagination.

The 1980s introduced suburban landscapes as adventure zones. Stephen King’s IT transformed Derry, Maine’s quiet streets into horror territory, with sewers and wastelands as dark spaces. Contemporary stories feature urban exploration, institutional settings like The Mysterious Benedict Society, and digital realms enhancing physical adventures.

Here are some ways to create memorable settings for your own ‘Kids-on-Bikes’ stories:

• Establish locations where kids can realistically gather away from adult supervision–‘no adults allowed’ zones.
• Link specific settings to town folklore, urban myths, or historical events that kids investigate.
• Show familiar locations like malls, schools, or parks in their eerie after-hours state when they’re empty and rules no longer apply.
• Use rivers, ravines, train tracks, or forests as natural dividing lines between the ‘known world’ and areas of mystery or danger.

Tying it All Together

Even in our hyperconnected world of smartphone-equipped tweens and helicopter parents, ‘Kids-on-Bikes’ stories endure because they tap into something fundamental: The universal desire for agency, belonging, and that first taste of true independence. The formula may evolve. Today’s young protagonists might use drones alongside their bikes, or face challenges that reflect modern anxieties, but the core remains unchanged.

These stories resonate by capturing a crucial developmental moment: When children discover the world holds more wonder and peril than adults reveal, and learn the true power of friendship (no matter how cheesy it sounds).

Ready to craft your own adventure? Consider these final questions:

• What secrets might be hiding in your protagonist’s ordinary neighbourhood?
• What bonds your group together beyond the adventure itself?
• What seemingly small incident could be the gateway to something extraordinary?