New survey reveals the positive impact cycling has on a child's mental wellbeing
Cycling as a family helps to improve children’s mental health, say parents in south west England.
Over half (54%) of parents in the region say family bike rides improve their child’s self-confidence, increases alertness and relieves stress, according to a survey by The Bikeability Trust, the national charity for Bikeability.
The survey was commissioned as part of The Bikeability Trust’s new campaign, Our Bikes Our Adventure, which hopes to encourage families to put their Bikeability skills into practice over summer and have fun exploring the great outdoors together as a family on their bikes.
Insight from the Mental Health Foundation** shows that mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. The Foundation lists regular exercise, having the time and freedom to play outdoors and being part of a family that gets along most of the time as some of the things that can keep children mentally well.
The Bikeability Trust’s survey also revealed that 71% of parents whose child has completed their Bikeability courses agree that the training has encouraged their family to cycle together more.
Commenting on the findings, Chris Blasdale, a Bikeability instructor from Devon said; “There are so many open green spaces, woodland and traffic-free cycle routes all over the south west and being outdoors and spending time together as a family on bike rides is an easy ways to improve children’s mental health. Fresh air, green spaces and family time help reduce stress, increase alertness and instil a sense of freedom.”
“The survey results show that Bikeability training increases the likelihood of families cycling together, as children have more confidence and parents can be happy in the knowledge that their children have the skills and capability to tackle anything that comes their way.”
The Bikeability Trust’s Our Bikes Our Adventure campaign will put family time first this summer, encouraging parents and children to grab their bikes and explore the best of England together. Families can find lots of useful content on the Bikeability website to help them put their Bikeability skills into practice, have fun and experience the great outdoors together, including ‘Top tips for getting started’ and ‘Top tips for planning a successful family cycle ride’.
Bikeability is the UK government’s cycle education programme, underpinned by the National Standard for cycle training; a set of principles for better and safer cycling. Bikeability is an improved, updated and more relevant version of the old cycling proficiency scheme, delivered by professional instructors throughout England.
To help you get out cycling together as a family this summer, please visit the Bikeability website where you will find lots of information about cycle training and general hints, tips and inspiration for families keen to cycle more: www.bikeability.org.uk (Our Bikes Our Adventure).
