PEDAL POWER FOR ALLCycling for all ages, including kids!

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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

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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.”

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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.

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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’sworth paying extra for a bike from a shop so that you can be sureit’s set up correctly.”

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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.

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www.sustrans.org.uk

www.which.co.uk/baby-and-child/baby-transport/guides/

travelling-with-children/cycling/

http://www.getcycling.org.uk

www.cyclestreets.co.uk

http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/

http://fromrattopositiveparent.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/pedal-power-for-all-cycling-for-all-ages.html

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