Cycling To School

Experts say that to stay fit, children need at least one hour of moderate physical activity every day (for example, brisk walking or cycling). But only six out of ten boys and four out of ten girls get that

TV and computer games may be part of the problem. Another is the habit we've developed of driving our children to school and social events, over distances that would have been walked or cycled by previous generations.

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise you can get. Doctors say that adults who cycle regularly have, on average, the fitness levels of people ten years younger.

A more active lifestyle now, continued into adulthood, would greatly improve your child's chance of living a long and healthy life. Physical inactivity is a far greater cause of heart disease than smoking, yet we take it much less seriously.

Daily exercise has many immediate benefits as well. They include improved bone strength, muscle tone, healthier joints, increased alertness and improved academic performance.

Teachers often comment that children who walk or cycle to school arrive brighter and more ready to learn than those driven by car and a recent US study showed a positive link between physical activity and performance in school tests.

By allowing children to make their own way to school you can help them to become more confident and independent, which is especially important in the transition from primary to secondary school. The school journey is an ideal opportunity for children to learn road safety awareness and other life skills.

For many children, cycling is simply more fun and more sociable than going to school by car, and they love the feeling of freedom it gives them.

If more children cycled to school it would be good for the environment, nationally and locally - less traffic congestion, less pollution and fewer of the emissions that cause global warming.

You may feel that one fewer car on the road in the morning won't make any difference. But the more people who decide to cut out the school run, the safer the streets will be, and the easier it will be to encourage others.

We know the benefits, so what's stopping us from letting our kids cycle? Safety is the number one worry for many parents.

Fortunately, serious accidents involving child cyclists are rare - much less common than those involving child pedestrians or car passengers. Fewer than 20 per cent of all road accidents involving primary school children occur on the journey to school.

The risks of cycling are dwarfed by the health risks of lack of exercise. In 2000, 125 people were killed while cycling. In the same year 125,000 people died from coronary heart disease, of which an estimated 45,000 were caused by inactive lifestyles.

For more information on Cycle Safety visit the Cycle Safety Website for Children.

You don't need to spend a fortune on buying a bike for your child, but it is important to get the right size bike in good working order.

Whether you're buying new or second-hand, here are the main things to think about:

Is the size right? A bike that is too big or too small is dangerous. Don't be tempted to go for a bike that your child will 'grow into'. Most bikes can be adjusted to allow for growth, so make sure that your child can sit comfortably on it with the seat at its lowest setting. To begin with, the balls of their feet should just touch the ground, and they should be able to turn the handlebars, brake and change gear without over-stretching.

As a rough guide, 20" wheels are on bikes; 24" wheels are usually recommended for 9-11 year olds; and 26" wheels are suitable for those 11 and over, but the main thing is that the bike fits your child. When your child gains in confidence you can raise the saddle in increments, until the seated child has to reach the ground on tip-toes. Such a seating height leads to a more efficient riding position.

Does the bike meet legal standards? Your child's bike should conform to British safety standard BS6102/1 and be marked accordingly. It should have two separate braking systems, front and back.

What type should we get? The array of types and styles can be confusing. Be clear about exactly what your child will use his or bile for, and then ask the bike shop or dealer for advice. If the bike doesn't come fitted with mudguards - most don't - have the dealer fit them. Consider fitting dynamo lights so you're not so reliant on batteries.

Cycle helmets: It is not mandatory for children to wear helmets when cycling. If you do decide to go down the polystyrene route, don't be influenced by helmets that feature cartoon characters, buy for safety and ventilation, not just looks. Helmets should always be bought new and should conform to one of the following safety standards: BS6863, AS2063.86, ANSIZ90.4, SNELL     B90 or B95.

It is essential that your child's helmet fits properly: