How to Encourage Your Child to Cycle to School

Growing up, I used to cycle around my neighborhood, and the older I got, the less afraid I became of being run over. However, when I got to high school, it was like I threw caution to the wind. My friends and I loved commuting to school on two wheels, and we stuck to the routine until college. 

My parents didn’t care whether I took the bus to school or cycled. I’m encouraging my kids to do the same. As a parent, you must wonder how to pedal to school. In this article, we’ll talk about what to do to make your kiddo love cranking it up to school for the obvious health benefits and the positive impact it has on the environment. 

Set them Off

If your child only cycles around the home or within your vicinity, start them with short rides around the neighborhood. This helps to build familiarity with the bike and develop a sense of comfort. Gradually increase the distance as your child becomes more at ease on the bike. It helps them to gain confidence progressively.

To make the cycling experience more engaging and motivating, introduce achievable goals. These goals could include riding to a nearby park, completing a longer ride, or earning a cycling-related reward. These objectives bring a sense of accomplishment to your child and encourage them to ride more.

If the school is quite a distance or cycling involves navigating busy roads and challenging terrain, here’s the solution. Drive them halfway and let them cycle the rest of the way. This method helps your child gradually adapt to the full commute and gradually get there. 

Get Other Parents into the Vibe

If you can get other parents on board, the better! Especially for primary school kids with limited independence in their commute. Making cycling a practical choice is critical. I bet most of the parents will love the idea. And there are many ways to make it possible and promote cycling among kids. 

Parents can drop off kids at designated locations you have set up. The kids then ride the remaining distance with the assistance of a school warden. Doing so will not only promote physical activity but also help reduce traffic congestion around the school. You can provide detailed maps highlighting the safest and simplest cycling paths to school. It will ease any concerns about their children’s safety.

You can also enhance awareness through letters sent home from school. Outline the environmental benefits of cycling, the cost savings, and the overall advantages. Also, establish a bike-lending program for children who don’t have bikes. You can do it through community donations, active participation from guardians, and partnerships with local bike shops. This promotes inclusivity and encourages a sense of shared responsibility within the community.

Focus on What’s Appealing to Them

When getting kids into cycling, make it about what they like. Not all kids like cycling, but there’s always something they love. For instance, if they like soccer, encourage them to ride to the next game. Show them how cycling gives independence, like going to school on their own. Some kids care about the environment. Tell them cycling is good for the planet. It’s not just about being healthy but also about doing something good for nature.

Kids might not be into fitness talk. They probably have a favorite superhero character. Why not customize their bikes with their superhero theme? It will make them want to ride. Also, focus on how it lets them do things on their own. Going to school by bike means they’re in charge. That makes them feel more grown-up and responsible.  

Make it fun by adding cool stuff to their bikes, like colorful decorations or special helmets. Let them choose what they like. This way, cycling becomes their thing, not just something you tell them to do. Make it a positive experience by connecting it to what they care about and enjoy. This way, kids will see cycling as something they want, not just something they must do.

Make Sure they Have the Right Bike

It’s not just the right bike but the perfect fit. If they struggle to ride the bike, soon enough, they dump the bike on some street and go about their business. I’ve often been to a bike shop and seen kids struggle on bikes that don’t fit them well. The shop guy, Cowell, says keeping it simple is key. Kids often like bikes that aren’t good for the road, like heavy mountain bikes. So, making sure the bike is the right size and comfortable for your child is essential. You can adjust things like brakes for small hands.

Don’t be tempted to buy a bike online in a box and put it together yourself. Instead, go to a local bike shop. Try out a few bikes, and they’ll give you free advice. However, if you must buy a bike online, you better have the measurements, which you can get from a bike-fit guy. Since your child will spend a lot of time on the bike, finding the right one is important.

The advantage of buying a bike from local bike shops is that you can try different bikes. That way, you can find your child the right fit and comfortable bike. Plus, getting personalized advice from experienced staff helps make an informed decision. That said, I’m not ruling out buying one online. The advantage of buying online is that you are spoilt for choice. There are so many different designs and colors, and it is highly likely that your kid will find several bikes they like. 

Teach them Safety

Ensuring your child’s safety while cycling involves fun and easy skill-building. Skills are needed because they come in handy daily on the open road. Begin in a flat, grassy area—like a football field—where they practice one-handed riding. The importance of being able to cycle with one hand is to allow signaling, which helps them communicate with other road users. 

For those heading to school via trails or city streets, understanding road rules is crucial for your kids when cycling on trails and city streets. Remind them to treat the bike like a car. The only difference is that a car has an engine, and for the bike, they are the engine. 

On sidewalks or bike paths, riding to the right is fundamental. Riding on the left puts them in harm’s way. They risk colliding with oncoming vehicles or bikes. More critical is being courteous to others and also being kind, which helps. Kids might be tempted to bring distractions like phones or iPods. However, these pose safety risks. Encourage them to leave digital toys in a backpack or, better yet, at home. Distraction-free riding enhances safety and makes the ride enjoyable. Also, gearing up is crucial. They should wear a helmet. 

Encourage a Ride-Pool

Encourage students to bike together for a sense of community and a more enjoyable journey. Group cycling fosters friendships and adds a fun element to the commute. Consider organizing a special “Bike to School” day, similar to the existing “Walk on Wednesday” program, to generate excitement and raise awareness about the benefits of cycling.

If your child is willing to ride but prefers not to go alone and you are unavailable, a ride-pool is the better alternative. If daily supervision is challenging, consider establishing a ride-pool group with other parents or neighborhood kids. While coordinating this might take some time, it opens up more opportunities for younger kids to bike to school, with at least one parent supervising the trip. This shared experience ensures safety and makes the journey more engaging and enjoyable for the kids involved.

This healthy and eco-friendly transportation option has brought together families in my neighborhood. My son’s friend Chan was not into cycling until after they met. A couple of weeks later, I met Chan’s mom and learned how to use chopsticks. So, apart from promoting a cycling culture within the school community, it also creates friendships.

Involve the School

They’ll be cycling to school, so the institution plays a vital role in cycling. It’s right to get the school involved. Some enthusiastic teachers are always willing to support your cycling-to-school campaign, which means a lot. They can organize events to foster staff, parents, and pupils cycling. In Jason’s school, the literature teacher cycles to school once or twice a week. The schools have nothing to lose. What a fantastic way of community bonding!

However, the schools must provide safe and secure bike storage. This gives parents and children peace of mind about the safety of their bikes. The bike storage should be inviting for bike parking, ensuring safety and security in all weather conditions. Encouraging schools to invest in such facilities creates a cycling-friendly environment and promotes healthier commuting habits. Joe’s school even has a bike mech on call. 

Takeaway

There are probably a thousand more reasons to encourage your kid to cycle to school, and all point to a positive impact on your kid’s life. Most of the pro cyclists today started young. Help them find their passion, and it could be cycling. Besides, Mother Earth will thank you for helping reduce emissions and save energy. Also, please find time to ride with your kids on the weekend and bond with them. They would love that. Cycling is an incredible sport. Get them onto the two wheels.