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Bicycles

When can a child ride his bike to school?

There is plenty of research and many statistics relating to this question, and all seem to advise caution. One Norwegian study found that bicycle-related injuries occurring during travel to or from school are a significant contributor to the total incidence of bicycle-related injuries. Boys tend to be affected more than girls, but this is understandable given that more boys than girls choose to ride bicycles to school or elsewhere. This study concentrated on ten- to fifteen-year-olds, and, in fact, several parenting surveys indicate that parents would not consider their children old enough to bicycle to school before this age. And the statistics appear worse as kids get older. According to the AA, one in five fatal or serious injury among thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds happens to teenage boys on bikes. It claims that teenagers are safer on foot than younger children, but not on wheels.

So what do you do?

Getting children interested in cycling at an early age is a great way to encourage exercise. Many children receive cycle training around age ten or eleven, and it is recommended that they do not cycle on roads before they are trained. Children between the ages of eleven and fifteen are most vulnerable on the roads, yet only one-third of children receive cycle training, usually at an earlier age. It is important that all young people, whatever their age, know the basics of road safety and have some proper training before cycling on the roads.

Are there any training programmes?

The Department for Transport and Cycling England are currently investing about £5 million a year on encouraging children to cycle to school. The aim is that within three years, 50 per cent of all school children will be able to receive cycle training. The funding is being spent on cycle training in schools, cycle trainers, off-road routes to school and cycle-training schemes run by the Cycle Touring Club (CTC) with its ‘Bike It’ programme and by British Cycling with its ‘Go Ride’ scheme.

The National Standard for Cycle Training three-level programme provides the skills required to cycle safely on and off-road:

Level 1 for ages seven to eight: Beginners and basic cycling skills are held off-road and teach children how to control, balance and manoeuvre.

Level 2 for ages nine to ten: Introduction to on-road cycling is held on quieter roads in groups. Children learn where to position themselves when riding on the road, how to observe traffic, signal, turn and manoeuvre safely and a basic understanding of the highway code.

Level 3 for ages eleven to twelve: Advanced cycling is held on busier roads to teach skills required for making longer journeys and to develop strategies to deal with all types of road conditions, such as roundabouts, traffic lights and multi-lane roads.

This sounds like a sensible plan. Before your child embarks on a bicycle trip to school, you would be well advised to ensure that he has some cycling training under his belt. And make sure he has a lock for his bike!

For more information, ring the National Cycle Training Helpline on 0870 607 0415 or visit www.ctc.org.uk.

When does a child no longer require a bicycle helmet?

In a nutshell, never. Many countries, including Canada and the US, require a cycling helmet regardless of age, which indicates its crucial importance in preventing injuries. There is no such legal requirement in the UK which is, frankly, a pity. Studies show that bicycle injuries account for ten per cent of all paediatric traumatic deaths and that helmets have been proven to decrease both deaths and injuries significantly. Although it’s obvious that a helmet reduces the risk of death and injury substantially, studies also show that parental perception of their children’s use of a bike helmet does not actually reflect its actually use. In other words, parents supply the helmet and assume it’s being used when it is not! Bicycle helmets are not particularly cool or fashionable, but if your child rides a bike, he should wear one, whatever his age. Ask him to apply stickers to make it look more interesting if necessary, but make it a household rule. It could save his life.

Until what age can my child ride on the pavement rather than the road?

No one, children included, is allowed to cycle on the pavement unless there is a sign to say that cycling is permitted. Similarly, no one is allowed to cycle on a footpath that is not next to the road. This is the legal situation. I can, however, think of no parent who does not advise their child to ride on the pavement, where cars cannot cause injury. If your child is inexperienced and he needs to ride his bike, you may wish to bend the law for the sake of safety. Invest in a cycling course by all means, but ensure that he is aware of the dangers of the road and protect him in whatever way you feel is necessary.

Should I allow my child to ride her bike at night?

The CTC (see above) offers courses in night-time cycling for kids over the age of twelve, therefore this is probably an appropriate age at which they can begin. Having said that, unless they are experienced in night-time cycling, you may wish to wait a little longer. Your child must use lights to cycle between sunset and sunrise. This is a legal requirement. They don’t have to wear fluorescent or reflective clothing, but they will significantly increase their safety if they do so. It is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back.

Remember that between eleven and twelve, the age they start secondary school, is the peak risk period, and this new independence increases the risks.