Cycling for Youngsters

Cycling is great fun! What's more, a bicycle will help your child develop balance and co-ordination. However, too many children are injured each year while 'playing' on their bikes. A bicycle is more than a toy and children need help to understand how to keep themselves safe while riding.

When children first learn to ride bikes, it takes all their concentration just to stay upright. As they become more skilled, they will be able to steer properly, but will still find it difficult to pay attention to what is going on around them. For this reason alone, young children must be kept well away from traffic.

Choosing a bicycle

If a bicycle is too small for the rider, pedalling and steering is awkward. If a bicycle is too big, stopping and starting is difficult and dangerous. Please don't be tempted to buy a bike that is too big so your child can grow into it. To help you make sure the bicycle fits the rider check that your child:

can reach the handlebars without stretching
is not leaning too far forward
can easily reach and use the brake levers
can touch the ground with both feet while sitting on the saddle

These checks will help you choose the right bicycle for your child. They can also be used to re-check the riding position regularly.

Try to go to a specialist bike shop; there will be a wide choice and expert advice. Take your child with you so they can try out the bike. Choose one that meets British Standards (BS 5665/1 for youngsters or BS 6102/1 for older children). Check your child can use the brakes easily. Ask about the after-sales service. Choose an approved helmet at the same time and insist your child always wears it when riding.

If you are going to buy a second-hand cycle, check its condition carefully. In particular look at the saddle, tyres and the paintwork. Ask how old it is, how it's been used and looked after. Signs that it has had a heavy knock are: bent forks, wrinkled paint or a twisted frame. If you buy a second-hand bike privately, it's a good idea to have it checked over by a bike shop.

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Where to teach your child to ride

Children under ten are too young to ride on the road by themselves. It's hard for them to judge speed and distance in traffic and to remember all the rules. They are also easily distracted. So, good places to learn are in a garden or park or playground; but watch out for broken glass or potholes.

The Highway Code states that it is illegal to ride on the pavement, but often, there are no safer places for children to ride. If you live in an area like this, please make sure that youngsters don't put themselves or others at risk. Explain that pavements are meant for pedestrians, so they must be careful to always give way to people who are walking. They shouldn't ride on crowded pavements, in shopping areas or on pavements near busy roads. Above all, keep an eye on your child at all times!

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How to teach your child to ride

Steady them while they start to pedal; gradually let go, but run close by. When stopping they should use both brakes together. Ask your child to ride up to you and stop. Keep practising until they can do it without wobbling.

Some small children find it hard to balance on a bicycle. Stabilisers stop the bike from falling over if the child loses their balance and can help a learner get over their early fear of riding. Use stabilisers if your child needs them, but take them off before they come to depend on them.

It is important to encourage good riding habits right from the start: wearing a helmet; hands on the grips near the brake levers; keep looking and listening, including checking behind; pedal with the ball of the foot and always sit in the saddle.

Cycling is fun for the whole family and, as your child grows, you may want to ride with them on a quiet road. You should only do this once they have got used to riding regularly and have no problems with balancing. Always ride behind your child and watch what they are doing. Wear bright (preferably reflective and fluorescent) clothes and a helmet. Explain to your child why it is important to keep looking behind and why you make signals. Do not take children under the age of seven years on to public roads, as they are not usually able to cope.

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Looking after the bicycle

It is important that, right from the start, children understand how important it is to check their bike regularly to make sure it is fit to ride. By watching you go over the checks, your child will soon pick up the skills they need to maintain their bike safely.

It is important that your child can easily reach and use the brakes. It is easy to adjust the position of the brake levers, just follow the instructions in the manual.

The brakes should hold the wheel tight when pulled and well before the levers touch the handlebars. If they don't, the cable will need tightening. Check the cables for signs of fraying and the brake blocks for signs of wear.

Saddle and Handlebars

On most bikes, the positions of the saddle and the handlebars can be altered as the rider grows, but there is a limit to the amount of adjustment. Follow the instructions in the manual and always leave at least 5cm of saddle stem inside the frame. The safety mark on the stem must not be visible. Always check that nuts are fully tightened after making any adjustments.

Wheels and Tyres

Pinch the sides of the tyres. If they squash easily, pump them until they are firm. If you have a foot pump, be careful not to exceed the maximum pressure shown on the wall of each tyre. Look for cuts and bald patches. Replace worn or damaged tyres. Check for buckled wheels by spinning free. Look for 'sideways' or 'up or down' buckle. Replace buckled wheels or take to a dealer to have them straightened.

General Maintenance

Every time the cycle is used, brakes should be working properly and reflectors should be clean. If the cycle is used every day, check the brake blocks about once a week for wear and alignment; tyre pressure and condition should be checked and all nuts and bolts should be tightened. Oil the chain about once every two weeks. Because children can grow quickly, check your child's riding position about once a month. Also once a month, check the chain for rust or wear; check cables are not fraying and that any gears are working properly. Take the bicycle to a specialist shop once a year for a service.

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Looking to the future

If you follow the guidance above, you will already have helped your child to ride and control their cycle reasonably well. However, children need training to help them use their bikes safely on the road and to recognise the dangers of other road users and traffic.

Every summer Bexley Council holds cycling awareness courses throughout the Borough. If your child is in their last year of primary school and about to go on to secondary school, or already at secondary schools, they will benefit from one of these courses. To put your child on our waiting list for next summer, you can fill out the enrolment form or e-mail roadsafetyeducation@bexley.gov.uk with your name and address and the name and age of your child.

You will then be sent priority information about the courses, usually in June. Alternatively, telephone Bexley's Assistant Road Safety Officer, Christine Eaton on 020 8308 7753.

The Council is also keen to help schools set up their own cyclist training courses using volunteer trainers. The trainers may be parents or other adults connected with the school. The Road Safety Unit provides training for the trainers and all the materials they need to run the courses. If you would like further information about setting up a course at your school, please contact the Road Safety Unit by phone on 020 8308 7875 or e-mail roadsafetyeducation@bexley.gov.uk.

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