Get your family into cycling

1. PEDAL POWER FOR ALL
Cycling for all ages, including kids!

2. CYCLINGISGREENANDHASHEALTHBENEFITS
Cycling, alongside
walking, is the
cheapest and most
environmentally-
friendly way of
travelling. It saves
time and money – and
parking is free.
Research shows that
cycling four miles daily
reduces the risk of
heart disease by 50%.
It‟s also good aerobic
exercise and doesn‟t
strain joints or
muscles, so if you
have arthritis, are unfit
or suffer from asthma
or bronchitis (cycling
improves lung
function), it can do
wonders for your
wellbeing. And for
seniors with mobility
problems, electric
bikes and trikes
can offer a
big boost.
Pic by VizzKids

3. TOPTIPSONBUYINGABIKE
Buying a
bike might seem
daunting - there
are so many
brands with
prices varying
from a few 100s
to over a 1000
pounds. Stephen
from Station
Cycles advises:
“Spend as much
as your budget
will allow. There
are many
different styles of
bike to suit
different styles of
riding. Think
about what kind
of riding you will
be doing and
where you will
be using the
bike.”

4. CYCLINGWITHYOUNGCHILDREN
Cycling with a young
child involves buying
a special seat, trailer
or attachment.
Child bike seats can
be used from six-nine
months, when a child
can sit up and wear a
helmet. Trailers are
recommended from
around six
months, are attached
to the rear of a bike
and can carry one or
two children. Some
models are so
versatile they can be
converted into a
pushchair once you
reach a destination. If
your child is four
years of age and can
cycle, you can buy a
special attachment to
link their bike
to yours or buy
a tag-along
trailer gizmo.

5. BUYINGYOURCHILD’SFIRSTBIKE
Balancing bikes are
popular as they aim to
teach a child good
balance. Suitable from
two up to six
years, they may come
with detachable pedals
so you can fix them to
the frame when your
child is ready. If you‟re
buying a bike for an
older kid, it can be
difficult to decide which
one is best. Sustrans‟
Maya advises: “Choose
a model that has some
room for adjustment as
your child grows, but
don‟t be tempted to buy
a bike for your child to
„grow into‟. Avoid cheap
bikes from catalogues:
it‟s
worth paying extra for a
bike from a
shop so that
you can be sure
it‟s set up correctly.”

6. ROADSAFETYFORCYCLISTS
In the UK of all road
accidents, only around
1 in 28 deaths involves
a cyclist. So cycling is
safer than driving.
VizzKids‟ Juli advises:
• Be vigilant and make
sure you can be seen
by motorists.
• Wear a helmet - a
serious blow to the
head on a pavement or
road can be fatal.
• Maintain your bike -
faulty breaks, worn
tyres, slipping chains
can lead to accidents.
• Follow road laws.
Other safety tips from
Get Cycling includes:
• Cycle assertively but
politely – watch out for
pedestrians.
• Look behind
or use a mirror.
Signal when you
want to turn left or right
using your arm.

7. USEFULWEBSITES
www.sustrans.org.uk
www.which.co.uk/
baby-and-child/baby-
transport/guides/
travelling-with-
children/cycling/
http://www.getcycling.o
rg.uk
www.cyclestreets.
co.uk
http://www.bikeweek.or
g.uk/
http://fromrattopositiveparent.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/p
edal-power-for-all-cycling-for-all-ages.html
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