Wow - what will they think of next. Bicycling, tricycling, walking, running... the list goes on. These are all activities parents are encouraged to do with their children, just to get them out of the house and breathing fresh air for a few hours a day. While hotels are usually used for sleep during vacations, there are the times that hotels are used and children are cooped up for a long length of time with nothing to do but watch TV. While on rainy days, this is acceptable, but just because a family is staying in a hotel doesn't mean that they should not have their children go outside to play. Going for a walk, especially somewhere new like around a hotel, is part of growing up. If children don't get to have skinned knees or busted elbows, and if they aren't allowed to go outside for an hour or so to get some air that isn't dank and dirty from inside the house (that isn't a bash to parents - the air INSIDE a house is obviously less clean than that outside. Given the choice, would you rather breathe in the fumes from breakfast, or the smell of fresh cut grass?) If parents want to take fresh air away from their childrens more, so be it. But they'll be dealing with the medical bills when their kids can't step outside without having an adverse reaction to something they were never allowed to experience when they were young.

As someone who travels occasionally with my toddler son, this is a much better alternative to the choices available in your typical hotel room. I don't let my son (who is 5) play video games. This usually isn't a problem, but if, for some reason, I couldn't/wouldn't leave the room, this might be an option I would consider. At least he could be active instead of watching a movie. It's good to have more choices for travelers with children.

"Triplets of Belleville", anyone? ;-)

I admit I chuckle every time I ride past a fitness center and see all the people on stationary bikes. I can't help it.

On the other hand, a guy I know who has a ton of classic pinball machines also has a cycling simulator where the screen shows you flying through the air in a pedal-copter (as you actually pedal on the machine), and it's great fun! I have had to force myself to get off and give some kids a chance! :-)