Top Tips To Get The Family Into Cycling

It’s understandable why, as a parent, you’d have concerns about cycling with your children, especially if you live in one of the UK’s busier cities. However, iNews has recently highlighted some of the benefits of getting out on your bikes, as well as some advice on how to win everyone over.

The news provider pointed out that, while around 100 people are killed in cycling accidents each year in the UK, it’s estimated that there are 37,000 premature deaths in England linked to physical inactivity.

Getting your children to enjoy cycling while they’re young will also mean they’re more likely to use it as a mode of transport once they’re older too - and potentially pass the habit on to their own children.

Helen Pollard, OS GetOutside champion, told the website that cycling presents a chance to have “shared exploration and adventure”.

She added: “You can cover a greater distance than walking. It also helps build resilience.” This is especially the case if a youngster thinks they can’t cover a certain distance, or cycle up a hill, for instance, but then manages it.

Of course, staying safe is important so you need to ensure you invest in the appropriate gear to keep you and your youngsters as safe as possible when you’re on two wheels. A cycling helmet is a must and you might find high visibility children’s clothing is also a good idea.

You may also want to think carefully about what routes you cycle on with your youngsters. Although new funding was recently announced to help repair potholes in the UK’s roads, Cycling UK said that it was “too little, too late” as there are still fundamental problems with the country’s road network that need to be addressed.