SHOULD YOUR CHILD RIDE A BICYCLE TO SCHOOL?

Are you reinforcing teaching with experience, or living in the world of, “do as I say not as I do,” or “don’t worry about me just do as you’re told.”  Both the medical and the psychological community have proven young children adopt the attitudes, principals and practices of their parents. They begin to change when they are offered options outside of the home; when they are exposed to differing environments and begin to communicate beyond the immediate family. There is a proven exception to this rule however when it comes to exercising and physical activity, particularly in the sport of bicycling.

Whether a parent is bicycling for exercise, for competitive racing, or just for fun, children who have ridden on the back of a parents bicycle, or found themselves clutching the handlebars can’t wait to get a bicycle of their own. The Safe Route to School website reports; In 1969, 48 percent of children 5 to 14 years of age usually walked or bicycled to school, In 2009, 13 percent of children 5 to 14 years of age usually walked or bicycled to school.

When parents moved to the suburbs and became dependent on automobiles, children became dependent on parents and school buses to get to school each day. The further out parents moved, the more dependent the family became. The absence of sidewalks and the neighborhood school and the distance children now had to travel coupled with concerns of safety, walking and bicycling to school became less of an option. There are more children today who have never been on a bicycle than ever before in the history of this country. Yet mountain biking, commuting by bicycle and the sport of bicycling is growing nationwide.

            Allowing a child to bike to school – even if you follow them in your car, gives them a sense of freedom and independence. The simple act of allowing a child to choose the bicycle they want, the color, the style, the sound of the bell or the size of the basket on the front or back of the bicycle empowers independent thinking. Yes, the world can be a frightening place and it is our job as parents to protect our children, however riding a bicycle to school instead of being dropped off by parents or riding a school bus has health benefits, involves decision making, stimulates learning and is a lot of fun.

            At Bixby Bicycles we offer classes for beginning cyclist, for families interested in family bicycle tours and bicycle checkups, fittings, safety tips, helmets, locks, accessories and maps. We will help you find the safest route for your child to take when riding a bicycle to school.

 

         More adults than ever are commuting by bicycle, yet their bicycle is the only one in the garage. Inner city biking and the addition of inner city bike trails is catering to the city dweller. Why should living in the outer limits of a city or in a secluded suburb diminish a child’s opportunity to ride a bicycle to school? Yes, they can ride up and down the street in front of the house, around the corner and back or be taken to a “safe” parking lot or park to ride. It’s just not the same. Bicycling makes a great family activity, whether you’re doing a tour, bicycling for exercise, or accompanying your child on their first bicycle ride to school.    To learn more contact Buster Brown, USA Cycling Coach at Bixby Bicycles and Accessories in Bixby Oklahoma.       

NOTE:  “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children have 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. If riding a bike to and from school takes a half hour each way, your child has met this requirement without even trying. With many schools eliminating recess, this twice-daily activity may be your child’s best hope for movement”….. http://www.biketoworkblog.com/why-you-should-let-your-child-bike-to-school/