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Share your tips to get kids into cycling to win a kid's bike worth over £200 - plus a copy of On Your Bike!

94 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 17/10/2016 15:01

On Your Bike is an entertaining and informative book which will teach children all they need to know about the wonderful world of cycling.

Sir Chris Hoy, along with the characters of Flying Fergus, teaches children about bikes in this scrapbook-style collage of snapshots from Sir Chris’s own childhood on a bike. It also includes technical drawings, diagrams and practical photography.

This book draws on the Olympic champion's wealth of expertise in a fun, friendly and accessible format. Ringbound to lie flat so you can practice the techniques alongside your bike in the garage, the book also features access to bonus step-by-step videos of Sir Chris demonstrating key tips and tricks.

For a chance to win an Evans HOY Kids bike PLUS a copy of On Your Bike: All You Need To Know About Cycling For Kids, just tell us - what are your tips on getting kids cycling?

This discussion is sponsored by Piccadilly Press and will end on 8 November

Books T&Cs apply

Evans T&Cs:

The prize is one HOY Kids bike under 16inch wheel size, supplied by Evans Cycles. The winner must contact Evans Cycles within one month of notification which will be served to the email provided in competition entry. The winner can only choose a HOY Kids bike under a 16-inch frame that is in stock at Evans Cycles. Evans Cycles will endeavor to supply the bike direct to the customer either through UK address home delivery or click & collect to a local UK Evans Cycles store, either option free of charge and at the winner's choice. The prize is non-transferrable. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash or voucher alternative. The winner cannot use the value of bike against any other item in Evans Cycles.

Share your tips to get kids into cycling to win a kid's bike worth over £200 - plus a copy of On Your Bike!
Share your tips to get kids into cycling to win a kid's bike worth over £200 - plus a copy of On Your Bike!
OP posts:
Ihopethissongstartsacraze · 18/10/2016 13:42

Lead by example. My two couldn't wait to learn when I got myself back on a bike for the first time in over 15 years.

rupert23 · 18/10/2016 19:28

my son is 9 and and has autism so really struggled to ride a bike and he hated stabilisers. i spent many afternoons outside on the green holding his bike and encouraging him.he fell off many many times and eventually learnt to ride it. He rides very fast and does stunts so i have to watch him carefully but he loves his bike. i think it takes lots of practice and encouragement

Likeaninjanow · 18/10/2016 19:37

We approach it as a whole family activity, and are lucky enough to have great cycling paths and also a mountain bike trail area near us. The kids also cheer on my husband & I in sportives & other endurance events.

CMOTDibbler · 18/10/2016 19:39

Get out there and go places on your bikes together! It can be scary as an adult accompanying child riders, so look for local group rides so you can do more road riding in the safety of a group - things like Kiddical Mass are very short rides, and build your distances.

CheeseEMouse · 18/10/2016 22:15

A balance bike and making the effort to use it. It's gone down a storm with our toddler daughter and I can see that it will make the transition to a bike with pedals seamless. It was worth the money (and will be perfect for her younger bro when ahe grows out of it)

wuvvi · 18/10/2016 22:46

Start by having a child's bike seat on your bike, this will start to help with their balance and you will be showing your child at an early age the fun of not only cycling but being outdoors

Valski · 18/10/2016 23:21

Definitely padding..! Having got two girls and seen numerous elbow and knee scrapes as they tried to learn, I recommend padding! Secondly we have been encouraging the girls to wear fluorescent bands on their clothing and have bought them both quite a few of those flashing lights that fit into the wheel spokes and flash when they wheels go round. Rachel

prettybird · 19/10/2016 14:10

Second the balance bike. Make being out and about on a bike normal - that includes going for "walks" on the balance bike.

Also, when they move on to a "real" bike, make sure to get as light a bike as possible. They don't need lots of gears - indeed, they won't be able to cope with them - but it really does make a difference if what they're trying to propel is light.

TheHobbitMum · 19/10/2016 16:50

Get out there with them on your bike! Make an adventure of it and if possible go to a trail centre, they have family routes and its so much fun. Make sure you buy them a quality bike that will grow and last with then and take care of it :)

IveAlreadyPaid · 19/10/2016 16:55

Jelly babies!

Nyancat · 19/10/2016 17:09

Get out there yourself and get them out into the fresh air. Make cycling part of your everyday life as a means of transport and for the fun. We both cycle to work and when they were smaller they were on a bike seat for nursery drop offs, then we moved to a trailer and now have a trail gator for longer journeys. Just get out as much as you can and give them as much encouragement as possible, if they know you are with them and you believe in them it's half the battle. And a lightweight bike with brakes designed for smaller hands!!!

DinosaursRoar · 19/10/2016 17:10

My two both loved the tag-along bike (basically an attachment making the bike into a tandem).

TeaPleaseLouise · 19/10/2016 17:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RunningHurts · 19/10/2016 17:39

Same as anything else really... if you want to encourage your kids to do it make sure they see you doing (& enjoying) it

Piffpaffpoff · 19/10/2016 17:56

We are both keen cyclists so were keen to get them out with us asap. What I've learned is as follows....

Lots of snacks
Don't push them to far too fast
Pick interesting routes with cafe stops
Lots of snacks
Stop to play in the puddles every so often
Lots of snacks

Did I mention lots of snacks? Grin

ButterflyOfFreedom · 19/10/2016 18:22

My two DC have always had some sort of bike so when they were very young it was a Smart trike, then a balance bike, then a bike with stabilisers and now the 'real deal' big bike!
We've always encouraged them but never pushed them or forced them to ride - only if they've wanted to go out on them.
And we start off with very easy, short routes then progress from there - lots of stops along the way especially for drinks or snacks!

thanksamillion · 19/10/2016 18:47

Making cycling part of your daily lives is a good way. Take them on bikes from a young age and they will want to graduate to their own as soon as they can.

Coffeechick · 19/10/2016 18:50

We started early and got them a childrens bike at 3 , but they are more likely to do it when they see you doing it. Then they want to try as well.

Bobafatt · 19/10/2016 19:12

Find a fun track to practice on. Ours were much more interested by the area with a mini road and roundabout.

Likewise a fun cycle along an interesting track goes down well.

sohackedoff · 19/10/2016 19:36

We just make it fun!

Avoid the muddy puddles? Er, no. The squelchier the better and prizes for the rider with the greatest splash mark up their back.
Beat Daddy? Oh yes. Kids are sooo competitive.
A family occasion? Absolutely. Dog included.
Not to mention the fashion opportunities it affords with streamers on the handlebars, basket and lights on the wheels...and that's just the adults.

They love it!

StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 19/10/2016 19:37

Start off early with a balance bike then straight on to the lightest bike you can find. It's easier to get going on a light bike. DD didn't need stabilisers because her bike was so light she could pedal it easily. Older children who had stabilisers on their own bikes were able to cycle DD's bike without.

Then, cycle with them whenever you get the chance.

RueDeWakening · 19/10/2016 19:38

Balance bike, tagalong (at least until ours got nicked Sad) and leading by example. Making it part of everyday life - DD and DS1 are almost the only 2 children in their primary school who regularly ride to school.

purplepandas · 19/10/2016 20:01

Balance bike all the way. Made such a difference to DD3. Confidence was amazing.

Flanderspigeonmurderer · 19/10/2016 20:02

My sons first exposure to cycling was sitting on a bike seat with us. He absolutely loved it and his love of bikes has never waned.

CaptainMorgansMistress · 19/10/2016 20:17

When they hit the stage of stabilisers off but only just finding their balance, plan a trip to a park or somewhere with empty flat hard ground with one of their friends who is also at the same point.
Learning alongside a friend is so much more enjoyable, they encourage each other really well and we found that just telling our DC that they could do it only went so far - seeing their friend actually getting the hang of it and riding independently gave them the confidence that it really was achieveable to hang on in there and try a little longer.

And when they've both cracked it, it's a lot more fun pelting around on a bike with a friend than on your own!