To let DC cycle in a ‘no cycling’ park?

[RaisinFlapjack]

Our school run (of 1 mile) takes us through a park which has a no cycling policy. Until recently DC have scooted, but eldest (6) has recently started to prefer cycling.

Lots of small children ride trikes etc through the park and it’s not at all uncommon to see older children on bikes too.

So..do I let DC cycle through the park in contravention of the ‘no cycling’ policy, tell them they have to scoot or take the long way round on the road, avoiding the park, so they can cycle?

No, this is the kind of thing that I stills in children that they are exceptions to the rules rules are rules, they are there to be followed OP.

Children are exceptions to the rules. Then you say 'now you are so grown up we don;t do that any more, it is for little children' and all is fine.

I allowed my young children to cycle on pavements, this is totally normal. They were polite, slow and careful. They stopped when they stopped riding little bikes.

There’s no point at which it stops being OK. Cycling is not OK in the park. The age of the child is irrelevant.

(And honestly, your keenness to categorise your child in the made-up OK category makes me think that once he enters Y3 the made-up category will extend to Y3s as well.)

You're just trying to find ways to justify breaking the rules now 🙄

It's no cycling not no cycling under certain circumstances or until a certain age.

No cycling is quite clear

Wow. Good way to teach your kids that they are entitled and rules dont apply to them

This. Also I'd say a no cycling rule would include scooters anyway.

If your kids said to you, mum, the rules say no cycling so why are we cycling, what would you say? Would you be happy to explain to them that it's ok to break the rules whenever you feel like it?

I'm intrigued to be so much in the minority here. But I live in an area with loads of cyclists so there is almost nowhere without them, maybe that affects my perspective.

Also I'd say a no cycling rule would include scooters anyway

This is surely not correct as the police can ticket you for cycling on the pavement but can not for scootering, AFAIK. Scooters definitely not the same as bikes.

Perhaps the teenagers wizzing through no cycling parks were brought up from a young age, being taught that the rules don't apply to them.

Jesus fucking Christ.

“This is the rule but surely that doesn’t apply to me and my wonderful children, just those other grotty people who aren’t as special as us. AIBU?”

@picturesandpickles

Children are exceptions to the rules. Then you say 'now you are so grown up we don;t do that any more, it is for little children' and all is fine.

I allowed my young children to cycle on pavements, this is totally normal. They were polite, slow and careful. They stopped when they stopped riding little bikes.

I don't think the sign says no cycling except for children though does it?

@Onairjunkie

Jesus fucking Christ.

“This is the rule but surely that doesn’t apply to me and my wonderful children, just those other grotty people who aren’t as special as us. AIBU?”

Exactly

You're showing your children they should ignore rules when it suits them. Crucially in this instance, they can even ignore safety related rules.

Are you ok with your son taking that lesson through his teenage years and possibly applying it to other situations, including rules you set for his own good?

@picturesandpickles

IMO this is OK up to the end of KS1, but you must make him cycle very slowly. After that - sorry, he needs to walk.

But it says "no cycling" not "no cycling unless you're below KS2"

Why do the rights/needs of pedestrians not count?

Scooters are definitely allowed, they have lots of scooter parking at the cafe in the middle of the park.

Does everyone who says a blanket ‘no’ think that young children shouldn’t cycle on pavements full stop?

@AwaAnBileYerHeid

If your kids said to you, mum, the rules say no cycling so why are we cycling, what would you say? Would you be happy to explain to them that it's ok to break the rules whenever you feel like it?

I’ve said it’s ok for small children when you’re just learning to cycle, but that you have to be very careful not to bump into anyone. Same as cycling on the pavement.

We have an interesting class of children at the moment, many of whom seem to think that everything is optional and they can pick and choose what they will do at school. To the point a Y3 child put up his hand in class after having been set a task and in all sincerity asked "Do I have to do this, because I don't want to?"

When parents show their children that the rules don't apply to them, or can be bent for them, their children learn that is how the world works. So they expect it all the time and then can't grasp why it's okay to bend/break rules sometimes but not others. It makes life so much harder for them, and subsequently for everyone else.

@RaisinFlapjack

Does everyone who says a blanket ‘no’ think that young children shouldn’t cycle on pavements full stop?

Yes. I think children are people just like everyone else. I've seen parents who think it's OK for children to spit on the ground in public because 'they're just kids'. It's ridiculous.

YABU Why do you think the rule shouldn't apply to you! Totally unreasonable.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

It's the same as a pavement. Big difference between adults cycling at full pelt and children learning.

Teach them to be respectful... Watching for pedestrians, dismounting if busy, and not squeezing past people.

This

Also I'd say a no cycling rule would include scooters anyway.

Eh? No it wouldn't.

I don’t think it applies to kids under 10. I’d say the same about cycling on the pavement. Having safe places to practice is vital for safe cycling and good health for life. Just tell DC to watch carefully for other park users.

It's not that difficult to grasp that no-one should cycle in a no cycling park ... why on earth would you think you are outside these rules? Might also be a good example for your children to follow the rules.

I think that feels about right to me. Toddlers on balance bikes and trikes seems totally fine (and very much the norm) - teenagers racing through not so much. Somewhere in between there’s a point at which it stops being ok
😂😂😂
Your kidding right?
Don't forget your kids will be teenagers before you know it.
Its easier to teach them how to behave now rather than trying to correct behaviour later.