Cycling FAQs
Cycling to school
Frequently asked Questions
My child has grown out of his/her bike and I can't afford a new one.
Second hand kids' bikes are often in very good condition and you can find some real bargains by looking in the classifieds ads in your local newspaper. Check for the tell-tale signs your 'bargain bike' hasn't been mistreated': flaking, rippled paint, especially where the frame tubes join, could be a sign the bike has been ridden into a wall and you're being palmed off with it,
If you have an old bike to sell, you could get together with other parents to organise a 'bring and buy' bike sale at school.
Buy the best you can afford. Independent bicycle shops are often the best place to buy bikes because of good advice, individual treatment, and long-term servicing of the bike. Buy your milk from the supermarket, not your child's means of transport.
I still feel my child would be safer in the car where I am in control.
Cars can give a false sense of security. 179 children were killed in road accidents in 2002. Of these, 22 were cyclists and 78 were passengers. As long as your child cycles sensibly there is no reason to suppose they are in more danger than they would be in the back of your car.
However, statistics do not necessarily help when talking about individual situations. RoSPA claims that many accidents involving children could be prevented by encouraging good cycling behaviour, which is what bike aims to do.
It is obviously your decision whether to let your child cycle to school, but try to be realistic about the risks, and consider the long-term dangers of inactivity too.
What about the health risks of breathing in all those car fumes?
Air pollution from traffic is at its highest in the middle of the road, and studies have shown that, in slow-moving traffic, car passengers are exposed to 2-3 times the level of traffic emissions as cyclists and pedestrians (Environmental Transport Association, 1997)
Can my daughter cycle in a skirt?
Yes, as long as she has a girl's bike frame with a low crossbar and her skirt isn't too tight, although she might be more comfortable cycling in shorts or tracksuit bottoms and changing at school. If she's not allowed to wear trousers to school, speak to the head teacher and highlight the problem.
Will cycling with a heavy bag cause back problems?
The organisation BackCare recommends that a child carry no more than 10 percent of their body weight. This is about 4kg for the average 11-12 year old. A good backpack, worn correctly, will help spread the weight considerably, and the regular exercise of cycling will be much better for their back than sitting in a car. You could consider fitting your child's bicycle with a rack and panniers for particularly heavy loads.
The school should provide lockers for pupils, where some books and equipment can be stored overnight. But if your child plays the cello, he or she may not be able to cycle every day!
How am I supposed to get my child on a bike in the morning when it's a struggle even to get them into the car?
Once children realise it's their responsibility to get themselves to school on time, you might be surprised by how much more organised and self-motivated they are in the morning!
Isn't it silly for my child to cycle when I'm driving to work anyway?
It may be convenient to drop your child off on your way to work, but are you really doing them a favour? Maybe you could consider cycling to school instead!
