Get on your Bike!
Remember those first moments. After hours tirelessly
wobbling on two wheels with your feet firmly planted on
the ground, you took that first tentative move, balancing on
two thin tyres, desperately hoping not to fall sideways in a
scrambled heap. Then, all of a sudden, surprisingly, you realised that
you  were pedalling, moving without the aid of a parent or stabilisers
holding you up, releasing a great sense of freedom. It’s a great
memory for all of us. And for your child it’s either a recent memory or a rite of passage just around the metaphorical corner.
The appeal of riding a bike will surely never fade. It brings a
taste of that much sought-after independence which children
seek as they grow older. And of course, it has great social appeal.
In recognition of the health-boosting and unifying, fun nature of
cycling, a National Bike Week has been arranged to promote all
things two wheel-related.
National Bike Week
Perfectly positioned in the spring calendar, Bike Week this year takes
place between 14-22 June. It’s the time of year when most of us
decide to brush the dusty cobwebs from our bikes and rise to the
challenge of delicately manoeuvring it outside, without dragging
out the entire contents of the garden shed, too. Once removed, the
tyres pumped with fresh air and seat correctly positioned, it’s time to
enjoy what the essence of Bike Week is all about – to ‘have fun, get fit, and feel free’.
This year, families are at the heart of Bike Week. Its unifying yet
liberating effects make cycling a perfect activity to bring families
together. In addition to encouraging families to get fit, to have fun and to enjoy quality time together, Bike Week’s purpose is to
promote and help focus minds on the environment, by enabling
families to reduce their carbon footprints through reduced car
usage. The National Bike Week website provides a countrywide
umbrella for locally organised events and activities. Simply go to
www.bikeweek.org.uk, and then follow the links to where you can
type in your postcode to find the closest cycling event to you. But what if your child doesn’t have a bike or is in desperate need
of a new one? How do you choose the best bike for your child?
How to Choose a Child’s Bike
The main point to remember when buying a bike for your child is
that it should fit him or her! The ability to control the bike is crucial,
and a child is more likely to control one that is of the right size.
Ideally, children should be able to mount and dismount the bike
with ease, and, with a slight lean, manage to sit on the bike, whilst
placing their feet comfortably on the pedals.
You must also ensure that your child can comfortably reach the handlebars and manage the brakes and gears.
Any bike can be tailored to fit perfectly.
The following guidelines roughly refer to the correct size of bike for
the age of your child:
Ages 3-5:
12” Wheel Cycles Ages 7-10: 20” Wheel Cycles
Ages 4-6:
14” Wheel Cycles Ages 9-12: 24” Wheel Cycles
Ages 5-8:
16” Wheel Cycles Ages 11+: 26” Wheel Cycles
Ages 6-9:
18” Wheel Cycles
With a new bike to pedal, your child may wish to take things one
spoke further, so you may wish to sign them up for Bikeability, a
brand new cycling profficiency award scheme.
Bikeability
Cycling England’s aim is that within five years no child should leave
primary school without being given the opportunity to do Bikeability
awards. Assessment for the level 1 award is designed for children
aged up to 9 when they start to cycle on off-road facilities or when
supervised by adults, while level 2 training is usually offered to
children aged 10-11 years old (in school years 5 or 6). The Bikeability
website has regular updates on the schools and local authorities who
are participating – www.bikeability.org.uk
Where to Cycle?
Ok, so as a family, your bikes are now roadworthy, the children are
profficient in cycling, so what next? Where do you go? Sustrans, the
co-ordinator of the hugely popular National Cycle Network, provides
a practical resource centre for all cyclists. Did you know there are
over 12,000 miles of traffic-free, quiet lanes and on-road walking and
cycling routes around the UK? And 75% of you live within two miles
of the Network! Download a copy of the 2008 National Cycle Network
map illustrating routes throughout the UK. Go to www.sustrans.org.uk– there are many ideas and free maps available to help you along.
Cycle Safety Tips
Head Protection: Buy a helmet that fits properly. And routinely
ask your child to check the t before every ride. A proper-fitting
helmet should fit snuggly around the head, and rest just above
the eyebrows.
Lock up: When your bike is not in use, put a lock on it. Around
150,000 bicycles are stolen across Britain every year.
Squeeze the tyres: Give them a pinch to make sure they are hard.
Test the brakes: Make sure they’re not rubbing against the tyres.
Adjust the Saddle: Too high or too low and it won’t be
comfortable or safe.
Clean Lights and Re flectors: Make sure they aren’t muddy or
covered up.
Dress to be Seen: Wear brightly coloured or re flective clothing
and tuck in all loose clothing and shoe laces.
Further Details...
www.britishcycling.org.uk – The internationally recognised governing
body of cycle sport in the UK.
www.cyclingengland.co.uk – Promotes use of bicycles in England
through cycling safety and health
www.forestry.gov.uk – The Forestry Commission provide miles of off-road cycle tracks. Essentially they are responsible for the protection of
Britain’s forests and woodlands.
www.bsca.org.uk – Promotes cycling for all young people.
www.ctc.org.uk – CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation has
been protecting the rights of cyclists since 1878.
Also: Check out the road safety pages on your local council’s website
for cycling schemes for schools and individuals.
by Kirsty Woodgate |
