Parents' Stuff
So your kids want to get on their bikes.. but why should you encourage them?
And how can you help them get more out of their riding?
1. In the past the environment was cleaner, kids were healthier and the roads had less cars
It's not that long ago that thousands of children rode their bikes to school every day. As a result, they were much healthier and fitter and learned how to travel safely on the road, giving them greater confidence and independence. And, with fewer cars dropping people off, the environment around schools was safer and cleaner too. This is the way it still stands in many European and even American communities and its how the UK's kids should be too.
2. Extensive studies show the amazing benfits for the children who cycle
Kids who exercise before coming to school perform better in their lessons too, are generally happier and burn off more calories than if they walk or get a lift into school.
3. Nowadays only as little as 2% of British children cycle to school
Luckily, we have a fantastic plan to help encourage more kids to get onto two wheels. Compare that with Denmark, where over half of their children travel in by bike. By working together we can create a similar cycling culture with kids across Southend and beyond, helping future generations to stay healthier and happier.
4. Getting kids on bikes doesn't have to be difficult
More often than not they want to do it. It is a unique form of exercise, which doesn't need lots of specialist gear or facilities. They just need support from all of us to keep at it!
Below are brief descriptions of three of the key services we offer to kids across Southend...
Bike Club Info For Parents!
'Bike Club' is helping young people aged 10 to 20 set up and run their own clubs.
They can be formed whenever they want it, wherever they want it and it can work however they want it to! It could be a club built around a group of people who want to cycle sociably in their own time, for those who simply want to learn more about their bikes, riding and improve their skills. Alternatively, it could be a club where they decided to learn some bike maintenance either after school or at the weekend!
Bike Club's aim is to improve the lives of young people between the ages of 10-20 years by developing their skills in organisation, communication and other key life skills through bikes and cycling.
Best of all, Bike Club is delivering cycling and the benefits that young people can gain from it to all young people... without exception!
Now a little history... Bike Club is a three way consortium; with the key partners being the CTC Charitable Trust (the charitable arm of the CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation), UK Youth (a national charity developing and promoting high-quality youth work and educational opportunities for and with young people) and 'ContinYou', which is a national learning charity aiming to create opportunities for learning. UK Youth is the largest non-uniformed young people’s organisation, supporting a network of over 7,000+ youth groups, clubs and projects. UK youth exists to develop and promote innovative, non-formal education programmes for and with young people-working with them to develop their potential.
Any group of young people interested in any part of cycling can start a Bike Club. Simply contact Alex Wise on alex.wise@bikeclub.org.uk or 07825 908 336 to find out more.
Bikeability Information for Parents
Bikeability is the new cycle training scheme for kids, helping them to improve their cycling skills and – most importantly – teaching them how to stay safe on the roads. Its the Cycling Proficiency of the 21st Centuary and is taught in sections of different level lessons.These are essential lessons because, while riding a bike is a great way to have fun and stay healthy, it is vital that kids learn how to be safe on their bike.
That's why Cycle Southend promotes all three stages of Bikeability as part of a national scheme that is aiming to teach the basics of safety to thousands of children across England. To find out more about Bikeability click here
BikeIt Information for Parents!
BikeIt is a fun project that aims to help kids become happy, healthy and safety-conscious cyclists.
A BikeIt Officer will work with a school to identify the best routes in and train teachers, parents and students on how to stay safe on the road and how to look after their bike.
BikeIt now works with around 100,000 kids across the country, creating events, activities and training that will get even more young people in the saddle. To find out more about BikeIt contact our team or visit their website.
