Cycling is not just a means of transportation; it's an adventure waiting to be explored. When it comes to urban environments, the thrill of riding through the bustling streets can be incredibly exhilarating, especially for kids. At Frog Bikes, we're all about promoting safe and enjoyable cycling experiences for young riders. In this blog, we'll share some valuable tips to help parents ensure their kids stay safe and have a blast while cycling in the city.
Pedal power for kids: Exploring the exciting world of cycling events
Cycling is a fantastic way for kids to stay active and healthy while having fun. At Frog Bikes, we are passionate about promoting cycling as a sport and recreational activity for children of all ages. We believe that cycling events are a great way to encourage kids to get on their bikes and experience the joy of cycling.
There are many cycling events happening all over the world, from local family bike rides to charity rides and races. These events offer a great opportunity for kids to get involved in cycling and meet other young riders who share their passion for the sport.
Pump tracks are an excellent way to introduce kids to the world of cycling, providing them with a fun, safe, and accessible space to practice their skills. These tracks are designed with small hills and jumps, which riders can navigate by using their body weight to pump their bike over the terrain. Not only are they a great way to get kids outside and active, but they also help to build confidence, coordination, and bike-handling skills.
If you're looking for a pump track that's perfect for kids, then you're in luck. There are plenty of options in the UK, from small community-run tracks to large-scale facilities that cater to riders of all ages and abilities.
Whether you prefer lochside adventures in Scotland or woodland wildlife sanctuaries in Cornwall, you can test out these select forest cycle routes that are family-friendly. Gather up the kids, pack a few sandwiches, and head out for a memorable family day.
Bikeability aims to make sure everyone feels confident cycling, and they have some great tips to help you feel happier when you’re out and about as a family, with the children. For short, everyday trips to school, the shops or to see friends, cycling on the roads with your family is a great alternative to driving.
Bikeability instructors have compiled some top tips for getting on the road together.
Have you ever considered old railway lines for your gravel biking route? They really do make for a scenic ride! From the abandoned lines that meander through the beautiful countryside to the dismantled tracks that offer industrial heritage. These cycle paths provide mostly flat, off-road, traffic-free routes that are ideal for whole-family bike adventures.
In 1963, the Beeching Cuts, a plan to increase the efficiency of the National Railway system in Great Britain, devised a report to outline the underutilised stations and railway lines, with the end result being the closure of thousands of stations and their associated lines. However, over the coming decades, local authorities began to repurpose much of this land, with many of the lines being transformed into walking and cycling routes.
We take a look at the top 10 railway line gravel cycle routes in the UK
Being part of a cycling club is not just great for adults, but for children too. With fuel prices having increased and better weather returning, what better way to travel than to cycle. Not only is it lighter on the pocket but excellent for being greener and improving mental well-being - and that goes for kids as well!
A pump track is a small, looping trail that you can ride continuously without even pedalling! Eventually, your ability to gain momentum by simply ‘pumping’ out of any bumps or corners is what will deliver your speed on the track and negate the need to pedal. The origins of the pump track lie within the BMX bike trails of the 70s and 80s, but thanks to the fact they are simple to use, cheap to construct and can cater to a variety of skill levels they can now be found in back gardens and town recreational areas all over the world.
Over recent years more and more pump tracks have been appearing in our towns and cities and are great fun to ride. In addition to the smaller tracks found in local neighbourhoods, there are also bigger options, both indoors and outdoors with many offering technique lessons and cafes to make a visit to the track a family day out.
If you do not have a smaller track locally or just fancy trying one of the larger options we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly pump tracks all over the UK. There’s never been a better time to join in the fun, grab your bike and get pumping!
What are the Benefits of a Pump Track?
To Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
It's really important to have facilities in local communities that are actually fun for youngsters to use, after all, the more they enjoy something the more they are likely to do it! The pumping motion really is a great all-body workout, and once you master it, the speed you can generate is surprising! These simple little tracks are also a gateway to developing a lifelong interest in a sport – not only cycling but also other wheeled sports like skateboarding, scooters and roller skating, which will all help to keep your child active and healthy as they grow up.
They're Socially Inclusive
Pump Tracks are fun and beneficial for people of all ages and abilities. A good pump track or skills park is designed so that anyone can use it, the only thing you need is the basic ability to ride a bike, or maybe even a scooter, skateboard or roller skates. The process of generating speed and momentum through “pumping” means that you control the risk involved. Although it is scary to watch your little one fly around the track the first few times, just remember a high level of skill is required to get up to those high speeds.
Pump tracks have a similar appeal to skate parks in that they are small areas and promote fellow track riders to interact with each other, but are often less intimidating. They can be amazingly inspiring places, where it’s not unusual to find professional riders riding alongside a four-year-old on their balance bike. Everyone is having fun on the same track, and most importantly the facility is safe for everyone to use.
They're a Great Place to Develop Skills
Anyone and everyone can use a pump track. But the real benefit of a good pump track design is that it continues to engage riders as their skills develop. What you learn doesn't stop here either, it can translate to mountain bike trails, dirt jumps and increase your general cycling skills. A pump track is a place where people can turn a spark of enthusiasm into a lifelong passion for all things cycling.
Riding at the pump track can help older children to concentrate and focus. This type of riding has a steep learning curve, it might be easy to ride the track at first, but it's harder to master and ride fast. Once the pumping action has clicked, riding a pump track becomes almost addictive, it’s hard to stop going until you reach your limits! With each lap your speed increases but eventually you do reach a limit, to progress further you might need to learn to wheelie, or maybe even jump from one roller to another. It’s this continuous challenge and development that really engages and focuses kids (and adults).
The map below shows just some of the pump tracks around the country that are suitable for children to ride and enjoy. However, we want to look at this as a work in progress! We regularly see your fantastic pictures taken at pump tracks and posted on social media, if you have a recommendation that we can add to our map for other families to visit then please do let us know. Add your favourite track to the comments on our Facebook post here and we'll add them to the map. Let's work together to make it a fantastic, collective resource for parents all over the country!
