The London Cycle Campaign have online factsheets. This could be an
excellent starting point for our factsheet.
INTRODUCTION
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=760
Cycling to school allows you to avoid the congestion of the school
run, and helps your children to become healthier, happier and more
independent and confident.
The government has highlighted its concern over increasing levels of
obesity in children. Cycling is a great way to combat this.
Increasingly schools are promoting cycling for children over 9 years
old, and cycle training and cycle proficiency courses are often part
of the curriculum. Some schools are still hesitant to encourage
students to cycle as they feel it is too dangerous, however lack of
exercise and the associated health problems bring far greater risks to
children.
By cycling to school, children and parents are taking daily exercise
which will have immediate benefits as children will be more alert for
the day ahead, and long term benefits as both parents and children
will become healthier. Whilst cycling to and from school, children are
able to socialise with other children who live locally and form
connections within their community.
Studies have shown that the heavy traffic around schools when parents
are dropping off and collecting children makes them especially
dangerous areas for all students, including those being delivered by
car. By leaving the car at home you will help improve the safety of
roads around schools, as well as reducing traffic congestion and
pollution.
EQUIPMENT CHOICES
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=757
Children are increasingly well catered for in cycle design, from
infants and small children who can ride in child seats or in child
trailers moving up to tag-alongs and tandems for those slightly older
children and then finally on to individual bicycles. Bicycles are now
designed to suit almost anyone, including those with disabilities.
When cycling with children of different ages you will need to make
sure you have the most suitable equipment for your child and for the
cycling you will be doing.
The age and size of your child will probably be the deciding factors
when considering which option is right for you. It is useful to find a
bikeshop you can trust to discuss your cycling needs with. For
contacts of manufacturers and suppliers of these products please
contact the London Cycling Campaign.
This can be a difficult decision as there are many options on the
market.
SELECTING A BIKE
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=765
At some point you will decide it is time to get your child their own
bike, generally this will be from 4 years upwards.
For any child getting their first bicycle this is very exciting and
learning to ride is a wonderful achievement.
Depending on the age and confidence of your child the first machine
might be a tricycle, come with trainer wheels or stabilisers or you
may launch straight into teaching your child to ride solo. Getting the
right size bike is important, and you should not think of a bike as
something that can be grown into. It is safer to have the right size
bike to start with, even if your child will then have to ride a bike
that is slightly too small for them later on until you can afford to
go to the next size up. A bike that is too big will be hard for them
to control and they may not be able to dismount safely.
The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet on
the ground and be able to touch the ground with the toes of one foot
when sitting on the seat. As with any bike you should make sure the
bike is in good working order and is fitted with a bell and
reflectors.
LEARING TO RIDE
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=766
You should find a quiet off-road place to teach your child and, if you
are taking them out cycling with you, be aware they will not have the
same riding skills as an adult.
It will take time for them to learn how to ride among other cyclists
and pedestrians and to deal with the various obstacles you will
automatically avoid. It is not generally advisable to take them on the
road until they are 9 or 10 years old. There will no doubt be falls
and grazes as they learn. Getting them to wear long sleeves and
trousers can help protect them while they get their balance and gain
confidence in braking, turning and steering.
When they are ready to start cycling on the road, either on their own
or with you, you should spend some time riding with them on quiet
roads, to ensure they understand road rules and how to cycle safely
on the road. It is a good idea to decide on certain roads which they
can ride on alone and others which they are not to go on without an
adult. Many schools and local authorities will offer cycle training
for this age group.
There are a couple of points which you should impress on any child who
is going to be cycling on the road:
- They should take care when they are coming out of a driveway or side
road, in a similar manner to crossing a road on foot. They need to
give way to other traffic, stop, look right and left and then enter
with care.
- Never to make a turn, or move sideways on the road without looking
over their shoulder first.
- When cycling with others, each person must judge the traffic
conditions for themselves and make their decisions accordingly: they
should not rely on the person in front as traffic conditions can
change very quickly.
- If they are cycling at night they must have a front white light,
rear red light and rear red reflector.
CYCLE TRAINING
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=767
One of the best ways to ensure your child will be well prepared for
riding on the roads is to enrol them on a cycle training course.
Cycle training is offered by many schools and local authorities for
children of 9 years and over. It is important that training includes
on-road training.
Training for younger children may be available in some areas.
The government is encouraging schools to support cycling and there
have been a number of initiatives to support schools that wish to
install cycle parking or provide cycle training. If it is not offered
by the school or local authority then there are a number of private
cycle training providers you can go to. For further information on
these see the section on cycle training or call London Cycling
Campaign 020 7234 9310.
WHAT TO WEAR
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=759
If you are cycling in cold weather you should dress your child warmly,
remember younger children will not be cycling themselves; so while
they will get wind chill they will not warm up as they go along.
Simarlily in the summer don’t forget to protect your child against the
sun. It is also a very good idea to wear high visibility clothing such
as reflective vests, armbands and leg straps.
Some people choose to wear helmets. It is important for children to
understand that helmets do not make them invulnerable, they do not
prevent collisions and are only designed to withstand low speed
impacts. If you are choosing a helmet it should be neither too loose
nor too tight. Toddlers should be able to support the helmet without
it forcing their head forward. Helmets should be replaced after an
impact such as being dropped, or if you have been in a collision and
hit your head. Visit the website section on cycle helmets for further
information.