Controlled cycling

You can introduce a child to cycling as a toddler, under direct control using a fixed seat on your own bicycle, whilst ensuring they wear a helmet. This is a first opportunity for your child to experience cycling as a road user.

By the age of two they're ready for their first bicycle, preferably one with an upright riding position so they gain confidence. Younger children or toddlers can use stabilisers for balance, and should wear a helmet.

Unless it's a shared cycle facility, pavements and paths aren't for cyclists, and that includes children. Clearly a lot of discretion is given to cycling on paths, more so for children, but it remains prohibited. The only protection young children really have is that at age 10 or below they're below the age of criminal responsibility. (Refer to the Highway Code for conduct relating to cycling on the pavement.)

Learning to cycle

By the age of four it may be time for stabilisers to come off and to teach your child to cycle.

After removing the stabilisers, lower the seat so the child's feet reach the floor. Learner bikes without pedals are available, or use a normal bicycle and take the pedals off, covering exposed parts with tape to prevent them digging in to your child's leg or ankle. To avoid scrapes, it's worthwhile your child wearing long sleeves, long trousers and cycling gloves.

The initial focus is on balance and steering. We'd recommend steering the bicycle down a gentle slope, coasting, and making sure your child knows how to stop using the brakes and, until they're more confident, they're feet.

Use yourself as the target to cycle towards to discourage your child from looking at the bike or at the ground. They can then start to push off from a stationary position and keep their feet up for longer.

Be patient and don't pressurise your child or become frustrated, or they won't enjoy it. Allow them
space and time to learn at their own pace and to enjoy the learning process. Give them plenty of praise and encouragement.

Choosing a bicycle

As your child grows they'll soon need a new bike.

Cheap bicycles don't last and tend to be heavy and more difficult for children to manage. It's well worth researching good quality bikes that'll last for years, including lightweight aluminium ones that can be manoeuvred easily.

ISLA Bikes specialises in good quality children's bicycles, including learner models: www.islabikes.co.uk

On the road

Help your child to develop observation skills through reinforcement of road signs, lane markings, lane discipline and different types of road crossings and road users; and to be cautious by looking in every direction before setting off, cycling, stopping, turning, or crossing roads.

Where a child can't cycle without being accompanied, it's best to ride alongside  to offer protection from passing vehicles, especially near side roads and, preferably, with child cycling in front so you see how they get on.

Summary

• check the child's bike, including brakes and seat height; and ensure safety gear is worn
• check your child's ability, for example, riding confidently with one hand on the handlebars
• can your child start and stop smoothly and with ease
• does your child regularly look around when starting, stopping, turning or crossing
• is your child aware of traffic around them and what it is doing and can your child start to envisage what other drivers may want to do, for example, what do certain signals mean such as indicating left.
• is your child able to signal their intentions
• can your child communicate their intention to you
• can your child position their bicycle safely
• can your child ensure there's enough space between the pavement and the gutter when riding on the road

National Standards Training for Children

Teaching by parents or guardians will only go so far, though, and we recommend the National Standards Training for Children, which is available through schools for children aged nine and over.

Also, take a look at www.bikeability.org.uk, where children can start to learn cycling proficiency test skills as soon as they're able. The Assessment for Level 1 award is designed for kids aged up to nine; Level 2 aged 10-11 (school years 5 and 6); and Level 3 for older children.

Another website worth checking is the Cycle Training Standards Board (CTSB) www.dft.gov.uk/ctsb/ on the National Standards for Cycle Training.

So get pedalling

It's so important to start building up children's exposure to roads as soon as possible if they're to become regular road users, for risk to be managed, and if we're to cut the number of accidents.

That aside, it's also great fun.

For more information, view our Safer Cycling helpsheet.

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All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.

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