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Factsheet - Cycling to School



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 9th 06, 10:43 PM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

The London Cycle Campaign have online factsheets. This could be an
excellent starting point for our factsheet.




INTRODUCTION

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=760



Cycling to school allows you to avoid the congestion of the school
run, and helps your children to become healthier, happier and more
independent and confident.


The government has highlighted its concern over increasing levels of
obesity in children. Cycling is a great way to combat this.


Increasingly schools are promoting cycling for children over 9 years
old, and cycle training and cycle proficiency courses are often part
of the curriculum. Some schools are still hesitant to encourage
students to cycle as they feel it is too dangerous, however lack of
exercise and the associated health problems bring far greater risks to
children.


By cycling to school, children and parents are taking daily exercise
which will have immediate benefits as children will be more alert for
the day ahead, and long term benefits as both parents and children
will become healthier. Whilst cycling to and from school, children are
able to socialise with other children who live locally and form
connections within their community.


Studies have shown that the heavy traffic around schools when parents
are dropping off and collecting children makes them especially
dangerous areas for all students, including those being delivered by
car. By leaving the car at home you will help improve the safety of
roads around schools, as well as reducing traffic congestion and
pollution.



EQUIPMENT CHOICES

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=757



Children are increasingly well catered for in cycle design, from
infants and small children who can ride in child seats or in child
trailers moving up to tag-alongs and tandems for those slightly older
children and then finally on to individual bicycles. Bicycles are now
designed to suit almost anyone, including those with disabilities.


When cycling with children of different ages you will need to make
sure you have the most suitable equipment for your child and for the
cycling you will be doing.


The age and size of your child will probably be the deciding factors
when considering which option is right for you. It is useful to find a
bikeshop you can trust to discuss your cycling needs with. For
contacts of manufacturers and suppliers of these products please
contact the London Cycling Campaign.


This can be a difficult decision as there are many options on the
market.



SELECTING A BIKE

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=765



At some point you will decide it is time to get your child their own
bike, generally this will be from 4 years upwards.


For any child getting their first bicycle this is very exciting and
learning to ride is a wonderful achievement.


Depending on the age and confidence of your child the first machine
might be a tricycle, come with trainer wheels or stabilisers or you
may launch straight into teaching your child to ride solo. Getting the
right size bike is important, and you should not think of a bike as
something that can be grown into. It is safer to have the right size
bike to start with, even if your child will then have to ride a bike
that is slightly too small for them later on until you can afford to
go to the next size up. A bike that is too big will be hard for them
to control and they may not be able to dismount safely.


The child should be able to stand astride the bike with both feet on
the ground and be able to touch the ground with the toes of one foot
when sitting on the seat. As with any bike you should make sure the
bike is in good working order and is fitted with a bell and
reflectors.



LEARING TO RIDE

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=766



You should find a quiet off-road place to teach your child and, if you
are taking them out cycling with you, be aware they will not have the
same riding skills as an adult.


It will take time for them to learn how to ride among other cyclists
and pedestrians and to deal with the various obstacles you will
automatically avoid. It is not generally advisable to take them on the
road until they are 9 or 10 years old. There will no doubt be falls
and grazes as they learn. Getting them to wear long sleeves and
trousers can help protect them while they get their balance and gain
confidence in braking, turning and steering.


When they are ready to start cycling on the road, either on their own
or with you, you should spend some time riding with them on quiet
roads, to ensure they understand road rules and how to cycle safely
on the road. It is a good idea to decide on certain roads which they
can ride on alone and others which they are not to go on without an
adult. Many schools and local authorities will offer cycle training
for this age group.


There are a couple of points which you should impress on any child who
is going to be cycling on the road:

- They should take care when they are coming out of a driveway or side
road, in a similar manner to crossing a road on foot. They need to
give way to other traffic, stop, look right and left and then enter
with care.

- Never to make a turn, or move sideways on the road without looking
over their shoulder first.

- When cycling with others, each person must judge the traffic
conditions for themselves and make their decisions accordingly: they
should not rely on the person in front as traffic conditions can
change very quickly.

- If they are cycling at night they must have a front white light,
rear red light and rear red reflector.



CYCLE TRAINING

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=767



One of the best ways to ensure your child will be well prepared for
riding on the roads is to enrol them on a cycle training course.


Cycle training is offered by many schools and local authorities for
children of 9 years and over. It is important that training includes
on-road training.


Training for younger children may be available in some areas.


The government is encouraging schools to support cycling and there
have been a number of initiatives to support schools that wish to
install cycle parking or provide cycle training. If it is not offered
by the school or local authority then there are a number of private
cycle training providers you can go to. For further information on
these see the section on cycle training or call London Cycling
Campaign 020 7234 9310.



WHAT TO WEAR

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=759



If you are cycling in cold weather you should dress your child warmly,
remember younger children will not be cycling themselves; so while
they will get wind chill they will not warm up as they go along.


Simarlily in the summer don’t forget to protect your child against the
sun. It is also a very good idea to wear high visibility clothing such
as reflective vests, armbands and leg straps.


Some people choose to wear helmets. It is important for children to
understand that helmets do not make them invulnerable, they do not
prevent collisions and are only designed to withstand low speed
impacts. If you are choosing a helmet it should be neither too loose
nor too tight. Toddlers should be able to support the helmet without
it forcing their head forward. Helmets should be replaced after an
impact such as being dropped, or if you have been in a collision and
hit your head. Visit the website section on cycle helmets for further
information.
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  #2  
Old April 10th 06, 07:49 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

On Sun, 09 Apr 2006 22:43:02 +0100 someone who may be Tom Crispin
wrote this:-

Helmets should be replaced after an impact such as being dropped,


Old advice, but it says it all really. Anything so flimsy that it
needs to be replaced after being dropped isn't going to provide much
protection to a head.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54
  #3  
Old April 10th 06, 07:59 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

David Hansen wrote:
On Sun, 09 Apr 2006 22:43:02 +0100 someone who may be Tom Crispin
wrote this:-

Helmets should be replaced after an impact such as being dropped,


Old advice, but it says it all really. Anything so flimsy that it
needs to be replaced after being dropped isn't going to provide much
protection to a head.



Hardly worth following. If it provides no protection before it was
dropped its not going to do worse than provide no protection after it
was dropped!

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham
  #4  
Old April 10th 06, 08:18 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School


Old advice, but it says it all really. Anything so flimsy that it
needs to be replaced after being dropped isn't going to provide much
protection to a head.

It may be old advice but it's sound advice. Motorcycle crash helmets can
hardly be called flimsy yet the same advice applies to them and has done for
at least the past thirty years. A crash helmet is designed as a one-shot
safety device. Dropping the helmet onto a hard surface compromises the
ability of the shell to perform its primary task. If anything, the care of
motor cycle crash helmets was a lot more finicky with the owners being
warned about the use of cleaning solvents, stickers, and paints. If I
remember correctly ABS helmets were ore prone to solvent damage than GRP.
I'm not sure such 'health warnings' are issued with cycle helmets having
never owned one.



  #5  
Old April 10th 06, 08:45 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Paul Boyd wrote:

Helmets are designed to protect your head against that
rare event (hopefully) of a severe impact.


No they are not, they are designed to protect your head against a very
modest impact only.


...they do provide protection to a head *until* they've been
dropped.


Ah that's their problem, the moment you start to fall they cease to
protect ;-)


Dropping a helmet counts as a severe impact.


Your and my definition of severe are clearly different


I'm sure a rock
climber wouldn't rely on damaged ropes


They all do. The moment you start to use them they suffer damage; minor
damage admittedly. But climbing ropes are designed to work despite all
the real life mistreatment of being trod on, snagged on rocks, rubbed on
rock edges and through climbing ironmongery etc. And you don't replace
them after every minor fall.

Cycle helmets it seems are different

--
Tony

"The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the
right."
- Lord Hailsham
  #6  
Old April 10th 06, 08:52 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Tom Crispin wrote:

The London Cycle Campaign have online factsheets. This could be an
excellent starting point for our factsheet.


Is what follows, which I've mostly snipped, one of these factsheets
verbatim, or pulled together from several?

Whatever, it doesn't address the main problem, the perception that
cycling is dangerous. It's useful for those who've decided to cycle to
school, but won't help in encouraging anyone else to.

This needs to go in para 3 below - hopefully before the uncommitted
have stopped reading.

Even more of a challenge, the whole thing needs to be shorter and
snappier, with pointers to further information at the end.

The bit on helmets is quite good, IF the danger issue has been
addressed first. Otherwise it is just adding 'and helmets won't make
you any safer' to the general idea that cycling is too dangerous.

Colin McKenzie

INTRODUCTION

http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=760
Cycling to school allows you to avoid the congestion of the school
run, and helps your children to become healthier, happier and more
independent and confident.

The government has highlighted its concern over increasing levels of
obesity in children. Cycling is a great way to combat this.

Increasingly schools are promoting cycling for children over 9 years
old, and cycle training and cycle proficiency courses are often part
of the curriculum. Some schools are still hesitant to encourage
students to cycle as they feel it is too dangerous, however lack of
exercise and the associated health problems bring far greater risks to
children.


  #7  
Old April 10th 06, 09:14 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Tony Raven wrote:
Paul Boyd wrote:


I'm sure a rock climber wouldn't rely on damaged ropes


They all do. The moment you start to use them they suffer damage; minor
damage admittedly. But climbing ropes are designed to work despite all
the real life mistreatment of being trod on, snagged on rocks, rubbed on
rock edges and through climbing ironmongery etc. And you don't replace
them after every minor fall.


Or every major fall Otherwise you'd be a bit snookered if someone took
a lob half way up a multi-pitch climb... Ropes are rated in part
according to the number of factor 2 falls (the biggest fall you can
take, falling twice the length of the rope) they can be trusted to take,
and it'll typically be around 10-20, not 1. If a rope won't take 5 as
tested it won't get a UIAA stamp. Clearly damage is done every time
they take a big lob or that number wouldn't be worth relating. The
number reduces with time, as time damages ropes.

Cycle helmets it seems are different


In part because they're not designed to take crashes as routine, which
climbing ropes are. Climbing ropes are used very much in the assumption
that there is a strong likelihood of taking a lob.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
  #8  
Old April 10th 06, 09:52 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Response to Colin McKenzie:

The bit on helmets is quite good, IF the danger issue has been
addressed first. Otherwise it is just adding 'and helmets won't make
you any safer' to the general idea that cycling is too dangerous.


Which may be quite a psychological shock, IMO. It seems to me that a
major motive for wearing a helmet, and forcing a child to wear a helmet,
is the need to feel that one is exercising *some* control over an
innately and randomly dangerous activity [just as e.g. many bomber
pilots during WWII became very superstitious]. This of course is wrong,
on three counts: cycling isn't particularly dangerous, helmets won't
provide much if any protection, and the dangers are mostly not random
and *can* be reduced by training.


As you say, I'd stress the non-danger of cycling, and I'd also stress
the usefulness of training in making it even safer [not an easy task, I
know]. This may not only help to overcome parental fears by allowing
them to feel they're doing something to increase the safety of their
child, but has the incidental advantage over helmet-promoting rubbish of
being true.

--
Mark, UK
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of
fighting a foreign enemy."
  #9  
Old April 10th 06, 10:37 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Paul Boyd wrote:
David Hansen said the following on 10/04/2006 07:49:


Old advice, but it says it all really. Anything so flimsy that it
needs to be replaced after being dropped isn't going to provide much
protection to a head.


Do motorbike helmets look flimsy? Even they should always be replaced
when dropped. Helmets are designed to protect your head against that
rare event (hopefully) of a severe impact. They are designed to absorb
the shock forces themselves by deforming. Once they have been deformed,
they should be replaced as they no longer provide protection. Just to
spell it out - they do provide protection to a head *until* they've been
dropped.


Dropping a helmet counts as a severe impact. Would you want to rely on
something that has already done it's sole job in life to keep on
protecting you?


I don't usually wear a helmet, but when I do I handle it with the same
care as with any other piece of safety equipment. I'm sure a rock
climber wouldn't rely on damaged ropes, and a cyclist shouldn't rely on
a damaged helmet.


I do wear a motorcycle helmet, and I do sometimes wear a climbing
helmet. I have made a special point of selecting those with the kind
of construction that can well handle being dropped without damage,
i.e. whose shells are made of a fibrous composite rather than a
plastic sheet. This business of replace-if-dropped is a neat
combination of marketing scam and shoddy construction which no doubt
produced jigs round the boardroom table when it was first dreamed up.

I can't imagine any other piece of safety equipment where the public
would allow manufacturers to get away with such nonsense. Would you
buy a pair of protective gloves which had to be replaced if you'd sat
on them? A safety rope which had to be replaced if it got dirty? I'm
being led to suspect that the cycle-helmet wearing population is
uniquely gullible.

--
Chris Malcolm +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[
http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

  #10  
Old April 10th 06, 10:50 AM posted to uk.rec.cycling
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Default Factsheet - Cycling to School

Tom Crispin wrote:

The London Cycle Campaign have online factsheets. This could be an
excellent starting point for our factsheet.


INTRODUCTION


http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=760


[...]

Whilst cycling to and from school, children are
able to socialise with other children who live locally and form
connections within their community.


I think this is a neglected but important point about cycling. One of
the definite benefits to me of doing my usual urban travels by bicycle
is that once in every few hourneys I'll meet someone I know and stop
and chat to them. Over months this adds up to quite a lot of keeping
in contact which I miss out on when using other transport.

--
Chris Malcolm +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[
http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

 




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