How to cycle safely with your children & pets – A complete guide
Cycling is a wonderful way to get out in the fresh air and take in the wonders of the outdoors. When you’re riding through stunning woodland or breathing in the fresh air of the countryside, there are few things more relaxing and enjoyable.
It’s such a lovely and beneficial experience that, at Fawkes, we believe the best way to enjoy it is with your family by your side. Show your children the nature they’d otherwise miss out on and open their eyes to the wonderful world around them while on exciting cycling adventures.
Before setting off on these incredible journeys, you must know how to cycle safely with your children. There are plenty of ways to help your kids stay safe while cycling, and our guide is here to take you through each so you can explore securely and confidently.
Get the entire family involved, including your pets, as our guide even has safety tips for your furry family members.
Table of contents
- Top five tips for children’s cycling safety
- What cycling equipment do children need?
- What are the benefits of cycling for children?
- How to cycle safely with your pets
- Best family cycling routes in the UK
Top five tips for children’s cycling safety
You and your child may feel anxious about riding together if they aren’t too experienced. We’re here to help settle those nerves. Once those metaphorical and literal stabilisers come off, you open a world of cycling opportunities for your family. You can look forward to many more rides with the right safety guidance.
Pre-plan your route with them
No matter the mode of transport, if you are unfamiliar with your route, this can understandably cause some anxiety. To give everyone peace of mind, spend time with your children looking at your chosen route in detail on Google Maps. This can help bed in a more comfortable feel and knowledge of the roads, how busy they are and the key things to look out for.
Set a good example
Many children are beings of imitation. If they see someone they look up to, like a parent or older sibling, doing something, they will try and replicate it. When preparing to go cycling alone before taking your family, ensure your kids see you, get ready and put on all the relevant safety equipment. This way, they’ll do the same when they first join you.
Teach road safety rules
Before leaving and while out with your child, remind them of basic road safety rules to abide by while cycling. Things such as looking over your shoulder before turning, signalling clearly at all times, wearing appropriate and visible clothing, and stopping at traffic lights are great ways for kids to get used to the ways of the road.
School commutes
If you’re planning a big cycle for the holidays, taking occasional trips to school on your bikes with your child is a great way to slowly build their confidence, experience and road safety intelligence while also getting them excited for when the longer ride comes.
Regularly check your child’s bike
Ensure your child’s bike works well before and after each use. Encourage them to watch how you check the bike, such as checking tyre pressure, brake tests and light operation, so they learn to check it regularly themselves.
What cycling equipment do children need?
Ensuring your child is appropriately equipped for cycling is one of the most important stages of cycling safety preparation. Keeping comfortable and free of restrictions is key to helping your child feel confident in cycling and helps them focus on the ride and the road rather than any issues with clothing.Our children’s cycling clothes at Fawkes include visible options designed for a comfortable fit that benefits aerodynamic potential. Suitable for any weather, our jackets, bottoms and shorts assist children at any level of cycling experience to stay visible and enjoy the ride.
The quintessential piece of cycling kit for any age is a helmet. We stock a range of junior helmets to protect your child should any falls occur. These durable and sturdy helmets provide the necessary protection and are designed to take the brunt of any fall, keeping children safe.
If you want to cycle and bring a toddler along for the ride, you can keep them safe and secure in our trailers and child seats designed to accompany your bike on leisurely rides. Our trailers feature windowed areas so your kids can enjoy your route’s wonderful views while securely attached to your bike.
What are the benefits of cycling for children?
Outside of seeing the wonders that nature has to offer and the education on road safety, children can gain several other benefits from getting on their bikes. An obvious yet still important one is that cycling is excellent cardio. Kids have plenty of energy, and this is a great use of it.
Cycling is a great workout all around, improving strength as kids grow while receiving the mental health benefits that exercise such as cycling produces. Riding a bike is also a great way to improve balance, quick decision making and communication.
Socially, cycling can be great for children, too. If your kids become bike-obsessed after family adventures, why not take them to a local cycle club? It’s a great hobby and an easy way to make new friends. Find your local club here.
How to cycle safely with your pets
Would it really be a true family adventure if you couldn’t bring your pets along with you? Your furry family members should be more than welcome to join you for a cycle, and we’ve got the perfect seat for them.
Our basket collection features products designed specifically for pets to have a front-row seat securely on your bike. These perfectly safe baskets mean your dogs and cats can join you on simple shopping trips or longer journeys.
If your pet seems apprehensive, we recommend taking them for a spin on a small route in your local area to get them used to the experience.
Best family cycling routes in the UK
Now you’re clued up on all the necessary cycling safety precautions for your children and pets, it’s time to plan some family adventures! We’ve shortlisted our favourite routes to try.
Starting from the bottom of the country, the South Coast is home to a wonderful ride from Worthing Pier to Shoreham Fort. Of course, London has various excellent cycling spots, but our pick for the capital is Richmond Park.
We can’t forget about the Cornish. The Camel Trail in Cornwall is a fantastic route in the region’s countryside. Slightly north of Cornwall is the Bristol and Bath railway route. From the South West to East Anglia and the wonderful Marriot’s Way in Norfolk.
The Midlands is by no means middling regarding cycle routes, with Derbyshire’s Nutbrook Trail the pick of the bunch. Moving further up to Yorkshire, Dalby Forest takes you through beautiful woodland, while in the North West, Liverpool & Cheshire host the Loop Line and Millennium Greenway, respectively.
Cumbria’s gorgeous Lake District is packed with picturesque cycle paths, and you have the famous Ben Nevis just over the border in Scotland. Northern Ireland’s County Down has an abundance of routes and why not head to Wales for the Afan Valley and Three Parks Trail routes?
Wherever you go, ensure you and your family all follow appropriate safety procedures and enjoy the ride!
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