Now that school is back (or fast approaching) after a long summer, you may be feeling that old familiar dread in the pit in your stomach. No, not the parent teacher/nights, not trying to keep your child on top of their homework either; I’m talking about the dreaded school run. Trying to navigate tight corners packed with cars, finding anything resembling a parking space, or even just suffering the half an hour queue for what should be a two-minute drive, we have all experienced some ‘horror’ in trying to drop off or pick up the kids.
With that in mind, you might be considering having your children cycle to school, which could be a fantastic idea. It’s a great bit of exercise before the school day starts, it ensures your child is wide awake for their first lesson, and it saves you plenty of time as you avoid the school run.
But if you’re going to go down the ‘cycle to school’ route, there are a few things you want to make sure you do. You obviously need to make sure your little ones are safe on their journey, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure they are fitted with some great kit too.
So, to make sure your wee ones are safe and stylish without breaking the bank, here are some top bike accessory suggestions from Arnold Clark Autoparts.
Safety first
Helmets
Without any doubt, the absolute most important piece a kit any cyclist could own is a reliable helmet. This is a completely necessary, regardless of your age, experience or where you plan to cycle – if you’re on a bike, you need a helmet.
While it might be a bit of a battle to convince a grumpy teenager to wear one, please ensure that they have this life-saving protection when they head out, and, very importantly, if they do crack the helmet for any reason, make sure to replace it as soon as you can.
A helmet’s effectiveness is drastically reduced when it becomes cracked, as they are designed to break in a specific way to protect your head from the worse of the impact (not unlike a car’s crumple zone). There is a great selection of helmets out there, from branded styles to standard off the rack types to professional sport helmets. Whichever one you go for, make sure it fits nice and snug and doesn’t impede your vision while you ride.
Bike lights
Beyond that, the best way to keep your little cyclists safe is to make sure that they are visible to other road users. Thankfully there are some great options to do this, such as the MegaBright Twin LED Bike Light Set. This light set ensures you are visible even in low lights with three different functions, constant, chasing and flashing, and is CE-approved. Another way to make your little cyclist easier to spot on the road is to use some hi-vis gear. Even a little bit can make a big difference, especially during winter when it gets dark so early, and there is a great choice of different hi-vis options to choose from to suit your needs.
Hi visibility apparel
There’s the AA Car Essentials PUB10149 Hi-Vis Safety Vest Pack, which includes a vest, bodybands and braces, or the Hi-Vis Reflective Rucksack Cover to cover any book filled backpacks. So, however you want, Arnold Autoparts can help make sure your little cyclist is easy to spot no matter the situation.
Great gear for all ages
Even if your children aren’t pedalling their way to school, getting them some top-quality gear can be a fantastic investment, and can go a long way to keeping them safe while they go off exploring. Something like the Concept Thunderbolt 24" Bicycle, a fantastic piece of kit, is specifically designed to offer maximum comfort when adventuring off-road. This bike is optimised for easy gear changes, with v-type brakes and mountain tyres for great control on- and off-road.
There is also the De Novo Asteroid 16" Wheel Unisex Mountain Bike for younger riders who want the best tools for big adventures. This junior mountain bike comes equipped with some top-of-the-line bike features, so you can rest easy knowing your little one is in safe hands. With a padded saddle to ease those bumps on the road, v-type brakes, MTB tyres and two-finger brake levers, this bike is a serious piece of kit. It also comes with some fantastic safety features, such as non-slip pedals and an incredibly useful chain cover to protect little fingers.
Finally, in preparation for those first bike rides, there’s the Concept Enchanted bicycle, (with matching pink kids helmet). Stylish in pink, this bike is a fantastic introduction to bike riding, and comes with stabilisers, a front basket and mudguards. Featuring an adjustable padded seat and break levers, it's available in three sizes and. All in all, it gives your children a helpful step towards that all important first solo bike ride. If pink isn't their thing, checkout our range of Concept Cybot junior bikes.
We hope you all have a fun, stylish and safe time on your way to the school year!
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading ...
- The best bikes from Autoparts
- Cycling trip essentials from Autoparts
- How to clean your bike
- Top tips for looking after your bike
Image header credit: Vladislav Vasnetsov via pexels.com
