What to do with kids on bikes?
- Thread starter downfader
- Start date
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funnymummy
A Dizzy M.A.B.I.L
- Location
- Lancing West Sussex
My sons school used to be two seperate schools, one at each end of the road, Infants one end , Middle the other. The middle school did have a cycle rack, but it wasn't in a secure area or under cover. 2 years ago they closed the infants & built new part onto middle school & moved it all onto one site.
The new head insisted on a HUGE covered cycle rack, in the corner of the playground, once the gates are locked at 9am it is totaly secure. I used to work at the infant school I remeber all the staff from the other school saying it was a waste of money - There were only 2 of us who ever came on a bike back then..These days the rack is packed solid & they are going to add another rack in the staff car park, as the playground gates aren't unlocked until 8.30, so the staff have been chaining their bikes to railings on the pavement!
The new head insisted on a HUGE covered cycle rack, in the corner of the playground, once the gates are locked at 9am it is totaly secure. I used to work at the infant school I remeber all the staff from the other school saying it was a waste of money - There were only 2 of us who ever came on a bike back then..These days the rack is packed solid & they are going to add another rack in the staff car park, as the playground gates aren't unlocked until 8.30, so the staff have been chaining their bikes to railings on the pavement!
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
You can do Bikeability Level one when they are in Year 3 and 4 - my youngest did it then and did his Level 2 this year in Y5 - though his elder siblings did it when they were in Y6. Luckily his school has a bike rack (in fact I was involved in the group that got the funding for it way back about 6 years ago), which is covered and has about 24 bike stands - enough in the winter but a bit crowded in the summer. But unless they go out on their bikes afterwards I imagine that they forget a lot of it. Hopefully some basic bits survive though.
I do think it is important to have parents cycling with them ... but do we only want to restrict cycling to those who have parents that will cycle with them. Neither of my parents did - though they did both cycle as children. Basically adults should be aware that children do daft things and allow extra space around them (whether they are in a car or on a bike) ... fine tell them off (they do need to be made aware that what they are doing is unsafe) ... but just remember that their brains are still wired to child mode - that they are indestructible.
I do think it is important to have parents cycling with them ... but do we only want to restrict cycling to those who have parents that will cycle with them. Neither of my parents did - though they did both cycle as children. Basically adults should be aware that children do daft things and allow extra space around them (whether they are in a car or on a bike) ... fine tell them off (they do need to be made aware that what they are doing is unsafe) ... but just remember that their brains are still wired to child mode - that they are indestructible.
funnymummy
A Dizzy M.A.B.I.L
- Location
- Lancing West Sussex
I have asked the head about doing it earlier, but no joy - I assumed from her response that Year 6 was the youngest age allowed - I may however now contact the council directly & see if they have a group for younger children
Edit
Just checked the Bikeability list, the council are on the list as providers for West Sussex, but there are several 'independants' down for East Sussex, will try them too
Cheers SD xx
