Is a 3 mile round trip too far to cycle for a reception aged child?

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DD4 ( 5 in December) has been allocated a school 1.5 miles away. She can already cycle 1 mile easily. The way is mostly flat and on a safe route.
I'd then cycle 1.5 miles further to work.

Do you think it would be too much for her, especially after school?

I could get a tow bar I suppose if needed

No, it’s not too far. Children are more resilient parents give them credit for. And she won’t be in reception forever, it’ll get easier for her very quickly.

We can do some practice trips too easily enough

Well, try it, and if it doesn't work out, you can walk with her and push your bike

After school may be tough depending on how tired she gets, especially in the first term. I would be worried about a tired child cycling on the road. Is she too big to fit in a child seat, I know a few kids who were taken that way in reception? Or is there a pavement she can cycle on?

Mine could cycle that at that age however I’d be more concerned about cycling to school in the horrid weather of wind, rain or snow and your child possibly having to get changed into dryer clothes when at school.

There's wide pavements all the way.

I agree it's not too far but have a back up plan in case it's high winds, snow, heavy rain. Also make sure bikes have lights and she wears some sort of bright clothing, especially in winter.

My 5 year old can do a similar journey in the morning no problem but complains about the return journey. He got used to it though and it's such a good habit to get into.

We do the school run by cargo bike, it has a rain tent which is a godsend in bad weather. Something to consider if budget allows.

If not I'd suggest a Follow Me Tandem and good waterproofs - a rain poncho and waterproof shoes or trousers with shoe covers.

I’d get one of those tow bars for windy days or when she’s tired. The foldable ones which don’t have to be used but can be popped on when needed.

I think it's fine. I live in a city where everyone cycles. There are surprisingly few days in the year where the weather is so bad that cycling is a problem.

We lived just over a mile away from school in Reception. My neighbour constantly told me my DD must find her ride tiring... but she would ride there, do swimming, and pe on the same day, then ride to her swimming lesson, then home, then go to her dance lesson... its what they are used to.

Brilliant. I shall just see how she gets on then! She's an active child already, so is quite physically fit id say.

And yes to lights, helmet, waterproof etc

If she is used to come cycling 1 mile then I don't think 1.5 miles is too much of an issue. I would make sure she has some good waterproofs so her uniform doesn't get wet on the way. That being said we always walk or cycle to school and the weather is rarely that bad.

I would take my preschooler on my bike this distance. On rainy days/ windy days it was completely miserable. We would arrive drenched and pissed off.

I think it’s worth a go! Some kids can be really exhausted after school in reception so that might be something to consider. You could use a bike seat or trailer if you prefer (we use a trailer, DS loves it) but I would see how she gets on cycling first. A trailer is helpful when the weather is awful.

It's fine. As a non driver and a single parent DS and I have got everywhere on foot/bike/scooter his entire life. Buy some decent waterproofs, then a change of clothes won't be required.

Yep, something to consider

My son does a 5km round trip before school and manages fine. He's also in reception. We do a bike seat for the return leg though, mainly because we're on more of a time crunch to get to the childminders.

1.5 miles on a bike really isn’t far even for little legs. I’m sure it’ll be fine.

In reception DD and I would often walk back from school (nearly 2 miles). When she came out of school tired and grumpy I found that the walk actually seemed to help her recover and she’d be full of energy by the time we got home whereas when we used the car the tiredness would come home with us.

I think it depends on the child. Mine could physically have managed that quite happily on a sunny day at the weekend but quite often when I picked them up from infant school they would almost immediately crash out in the car since they were mentally and physically exhausted.

I think that’s very do-able, but I would also get a bike seat for your bike should you have any days when they don’t feel up to the cycle.

Like others I think it is fine for the way there but many reception kids are shattered at pick up. Take a snack to fuel her up for the return. Also bear in mind that she will probably be some form of low level ill about two thirds of reception year, which might make it harder.

Sounds fine in general, but if you are then cycling on to work, what's the plan when they call you there to say she needs collecting early from school because she's ill? She's not going to want to cycle home with a temp / d&v.