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

[SorchaMumsnet]

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.

Start them young - and if they have a nice bike - and helmets which fit - there is no stopping them! They will soon realise cycling is quicker than sitting in Cambridge traffic!

Tips for getting kids cycling:-

1. Modelling - enthusiasm increases in children when they see others enjoying cycling, especially people they look up to.
2. Movies and television shows have a great part to play. After watching the kids in E.T., all I wanted at that time was a BMX.
3. Plenty of encouragement for novice riders, and allowing them to develop at their own pace - Do Not Push Them Too Far, Too Soon!
4. Group cycling on longer treks, with several family members or friends (i.e. across the hills, through woods with access, taking the bikes on picnics and fun days out, etc.)
5. And, of course, competitions. Races, challenges, etc.

We started with balance bike at the age of 18 months and my son started cycling confidently at 3,5 years old. No stabilisers needed. We bike pretty much every day!

My boys have been totally inspired by participating in Go Ride races, a series of non-competitive races for children who don't normally race, that are often put on by British Cycling at bigger cycling events. They now want to start racing competitively :)

My son is only 3 but already enjoys cycling, we started off with a balance bike then went on to pedals. His favourite things are his bell and a basket for carrying his soft toys/ drinks/ anything he picks up on his journey.

Get them out on a seat on an adult's bike as soon as they have enough neck stability to be safe in a helmet, then onto a balance bike at 2yrs. Give them lots of opportunity to practise (we take balance bike on dog walks) and then get a small, light, pleasant to ride bike as soon as they are ready for pedals - we have a family Cnoc 14 Islabike, currently teaching the fifth of the cousins to ride. We are lucky to have a safe traffic free cycle path with lots of hot chocolate stops very near our house to make family bike rides a pleasure. Currently have a 2 yr old on a balance bike (bike seat for family rides) 6 yr old just mastering gears and 10 yr old completed his first duathlon this year.

Get them their own bike as soon as they are competent at walking and make riding a fun activity for the whole family

Keep going, teach them to get back on and keep trying and make the effort to go places and take bikes to encourage them and get their confidence up. Encourage them to do the certificates at school as well

Start them early with lots of encouragement. Cycle with them to interesting destinations. Let them make their own courses to challenge themselves and have fun.

Encouragement, safety, using the stabilisers and slowly building up so she feels confident enough to move around without aid. Much more difficult when she has ADHD but talking her through keeping herself safe first and foremost beforehand so it becomes second nature is important.

Near us there is a charity that runs events at a local athletics track. There are bikes and trikes of all shapes and sizes for all ages, and a safe place to try them out, have races etc. Great fun!

Lots of encouragement, make sure the children find it fun and praise them for their effort. My first is naturally sporty and pretty much taught herself to ride without stabilisers but my second wasn't as keen. But a few attempts with me (not applying pressure) over a period of time gave her the confidence to learn how to cycle. And she now loves cycling alongside her older sibling.

We started my son on a balance bike. Which was brilliant for his balance. When he was 4 he got on his sisters bike and just rode it. No help needed. My daughter on the other hand needs lots of encouragement. Her Granddad taught her. He show her where to put her pedals and how to push off. She got it from there.

I signed him for a cycle training after school program called cycle project. He learned proper cycling after 4 weeks.

I think from a young age the key is practice and praise.
My partner is a confident cyclist ...I am not.

Me and my 5 year old daughter get lots of practice in together and always like to remind each other its about having fun and taking in the surroundings, not winning the race or being the best.

Also...SAFETY! of-course :)

The biggest motivator for kids to get on their bikes is the independence it offers. Once mastered, they can get out and about on their own without relying on others for lifts or cash for public transport. Bikes give you wings!

Starting with not having your bike nicked would be a good start DD's 24" wheel bike was stolen last night, they left DS's 16" wheeled one behind though.

£400 to replace it

I've found with my little one getting her to learn was so much about making her feel safe (as too often I think I tell her everything is dangerous). I find it hard to get her off it now though which will be a problem come winter! Hoping I've got the next Laura trott at home though

First and foremost I think is that regardless of how much I love biking there is no pressure for our son to like bikes and biking. However, because I watch biking videos on internet and there are magazines about and we took him to Fort William world cup he is showing a lot of interest. We started at around 9 months - 1 year with some gentle rides on the bike seat. As he's got older he is now obsessed with going on the bike seat! We hadn't planned to get him a balance bike so young but was trying to 'steal' bigger kids bikes in the park so got him one for his 2nd birthday. He took a wee while to engage with it but it just lives in the garage beside daddy's bike and he can ask for a go anytime he likes which is almost everyday now at 2 years and 2 months! And he is fairly getting the swing of it! I usually just cycle along beside him which he likes.

So in summary:

1. No pressure
2. Provide 'inspiration'
3. Provide opportunity
4. Lead by example
5. Encourage progress