AIBU to cycle 7 miles with my kids for the school run?

[Yestoday]

I have DC 9, 6 and 2. We have just lost our second car and it might be a while until we get it back (3/4 weeks maybe?). DH can take the 2 year old to nursery on his way to work but he’ll need to leave at 7:15.

I was thinking I can cycle the older two to school and back each day. It’s 3.5 miles each way. We practiced today and it’s about 40 minutes one way. It’s mostly on field paths and farm tracks so safe enough.

Do you think it’s doable? I’d take drinks and snacks and change of shoes etc. I’m thinking they’ll be knackered the first few days but will get used to it. DH thinks I’ll end up begging friends to give us a lift after a few days!

I’m thinking friend pick ups and taxis if I have to in these situations. Getting the kids to school is the priority so if it all goes tits up I do have back up options.

And DH or I can take annual leave if we absolutely have to but obviously it’s not a 3/4 week-long solution

Yes definitely, agreed

the whole thing definitely eats into my work day and requires more prep before and after school

we have the luxury of not going if the weather is bad

just hoping to give a positive side to it!

Hire car then. Not really fair to force a 6 year old to cycle 7 miles 5 days a week when you can drive.

Yes I hope the daylight hangs on for you too. And the nice weather

good luck for you tomorrow

I’m sure the children will find it very exciting tomorrow!

What do you mean by mostly?

Is there school transport?

What stuff do they have to take that may need to stay dry eg science projects, books (both), cookery ingredients (9 year old). Just think about how to transport any stuff as well as children.

Doable, and if you get the kids fully on-board with enthusiasm for doing it, it could be life-changing (in the sense of planting an idea in their heads for their own futures - speaking from my own experience as a kid and as an adult 🚴)

Lived in the Netherlands for years and cycled in all weather. Snow was very rare so not really an issue. More common problem was extreme wind/storms.other than that, just make sure you have baskets for school bags etc…and rain trousers :)

yes actual food, a good sandwich, banana, food that you don’t mind being part of their dinner. not “snacks” like crisps or biscuits.

but really. this is all going to be much harder if you can’t change an inner tube.

Im big on encouraging cycling. and think riding to school is great .

my kids do it.

but a walk of 1.75km because you get a puncture half way there is going to be annoying. and i you could end up doing that a lot especially if you are riding on gravel or rough paths.

get a bike shop to teach you .
and practice a bit.

get panniers or a box on the back of your bike for pe kit, school projects, pack lunches, water proofs, and water bottles.

I admire your brio and thoughtfulness for giving this a go, and think it could all go absolutely fine, and enjoyable even. I am sure you will be checking the weather in case you have to invoke alternative arrangements or if one of the children becomes poorly. I also think it helps to build resilience in young people, and sets a good example of how to be resourceful as a parent too. Loads of good advice here from other posters, but delighted to hear you are giving it a go. Good luck with it all x

Can you cycle on the field tracks if its been raining or are they concrete/tarmac?

I dont get all the handwringing about them being tired, kids can do 40 mins of exercise without being incapacitated for the day.

It’ll be ok if the weather is good otherwise it’s going to feel awful! It’s not ideal but how about you cycle and pull a trailer? If you’ve got no other option then best of luck and I hope it’s not too horrible for you all

I cycled to work every day for 5 years.
Sometimes the weather is just fucking awful. I wouldn't have made a wee one cycle in torrential rain, -5°, strong winds etc it was miserable some days. Hard to see where you're going, blown off course by sudden gusts etc
I had snoods water proofs, balaclavas, thermal gloves etc. one day, it was so cold, my laces got wet in the rain and subsequently frozen on the way!

Its not going to take OP 40 mins to cycle back 3.5 miles, more like 15 mins

Hi from the Netherlands.
Absolutely do-able, with the right clothes and the right attitude! Far too many people shake their heads because they are simply unused to real weather.
Walking from a house to a car to a building means you never get to truly experience normal weather or very basic things like moving your body for less than 6km (edit: 6km each way, very small total for a day)

Your plan is a good one, go for it!

They actually don’t have a lot of stuff day-to-day. Reading books, water bottles and one lunch box so I’m thinking I’ll get it in my rucksack. Which has a waterproof cover (somewhere in the garage)

Seven miles split across two journeys hours apart isn’t really a huge amount when cycling. My just turned 4yo routinely does 6+ miles in one go. Give it a go and see! They’ll probably gain a lot of speed and confidence after first few days.

Yes!

It's doable. But why make a small child cycle in freezing weather, torrential rain, strong winds, dark evenings etc

It's really just a pain sometimes, coming home on a wet bike, in wet outerwear, getting it all dry and sorted for the next day, making sure lights were charged etc.

And it did have me questioning my sanity when I was togged up in thermal base layer, mid layers, waterproof, hi-via reflective jackets, gloves, balaclava in the dark and pouring rain replacing an inner tube by a hedge as cars drove past far too closely.

I’m really hoping that we’ll have the car back in half term if not the week before. So we should miss the freezing weather and pouring rain. I mean, never say never but that’s what I’m hoping.

I do agree about being wet but I think if we’re only a bit damp round the edges we’ll just have to suck it up.

Im going to take a full change of uniform/ pants each tomorrow and leave it in the school office.

I’d have a bike trailer on for return journeys. It’s one thing doing 40mins at the start of the day. My 6 year old is exhausted after school so would finding cycling 40mins home tough

We cycle a lot and my 7 year just completely conks out after about 3 miles. Of course all kids are different but I’d be worried about the younger one being knackered. Personally I think it sounds great (knackered kids aside), I love cycling in all weathers. We don’t have a car.

Yes, true, I know what a pain it can be. We don't own a car so my family has always had to cycle, or not go out.

In the grand scheme of things, cycling to places is such a small act, and gives the gift of some resilience. Not to mention the many belly laughs when things become absurd on the way to our destination.

I find it a little sad that it is even a question to ask... Can my children and I bicycle a short distance to our destination? Yes! Yes of course you can!

It's doable but I would definitely go into it with your eyes open. A 40 minute cycle is nothing in fair weather when you're doing it for leisure. A 40 minute cycle at 8am in the rain, as a conmute, will be a whole different ballgame and will feel very different.

If you were suggesting it as a permanent method i'd say you were nuts...but for a few weeks i'd just crack on. Would try and build in an ocassional contingency plan for really filthy weather, if poss.