Bike to School Week 2008
| Author: Irene Robertson | Published: 24th April 2008 19:02 |
Bike to School Week 2008
Bike to School Week 2008, 5th - 9th May
Bike to School Week 2008, 5 - 9 May, aims to encourage more pupils to ride to school and to inform children and parents of the benefits of doing so. Each day in the UK, 8.3 million children travel to school but less than 2% travel by bike*. If even a small percentage of children try cycling to school during this week then the benefits to the health of the children taking part and the planet could be considerable.
Cycling to school has a whole host of benefits for children. With most kids not getting enough exercise these days, cycling to school is a good way of integrating activity into their daily routine. Establishing good healthy habits when you are young can lead to a healthier adulthood. Cycling to school makes children more alert when they arrive instead of sitting in a car for the journey. Cycling to school also encourages children to become more independent and increases their confidence when given the responsibility of getting somewhere on their own.
The benefits of cycling to school are not limited to the children actually doing it. The benefits to the environment are also substantial. Less cars on the road causing congestion around schools in rush hour is the first obvious immediate benefit to the local environment. Long term, if the number of cars making short journeys is cut then fewer emissions will help to reduce the amount of green house gasses going into the air.
Here are a few handy tips to follow if your child is cycling to school for the first time.
- Make sure your child's bike is roadworthy. Inflate the tyres to the correct pressure, oil the chain and make sure all nuts and bolts are tight.
- Make sure the bike fits your child and is not too big for them.
- Make sure your child is in control of the bike, ie saddle is the right height and all controls are within reach.
- Make sure they are aware of the rules of the road and go for a spin with them beforehand to teach them some road sense.
- Encourage helmet use. Although not compulsory, it is a good idea to wear one. Make sure the helmet fits and is properly adjusted as it will give more protection and be more comfortable for the wearer if it is.
- Check to see if your child's school is involved in Bike to School week and if they are running any programmes or incentives for those taking part.
For more information and advice on children's bikes, accessories and set up, please visit http://www.evanscycles.com/ or visit your nearest store.
And finally, don't let the kids have all the fun, why not ride to school with them? It will get you out in the fresh air, you can keep an eye on them, and it is a good excuse to have a coffee and cake when you've finished!
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