Improved physical health
A study from New Zealand found that using wheeled sports equipment like scooters and skateboards often results in head injuries, posing significant health and economic challenges. Given the packed schedules many children already have, the demanding nature of certain sports might be overwhelming. Therefore, cycling presents a safer, more accessible, and beneficial alternative to combat inactivity and enhance physical health.
The frequency of cycling is declining in Australia, and if current trends continue, the beneficial instances of hospitalisation attributable to cycling are expected to decrease. Kids who cycle to school have better concentration and self-reported mental and psychosocial health during the school week. On the contrary, kids who cycle to school usually get more exercise opportunities on their way to school. Tests representing students/children’s physical fitness, dynamic imagination, vestibular dynamic balance, whole-body reaction speed, and vestibular static balance control show that cycling to school and participating in cycling school bus activities is a good way to improve and maintain children’s motor skills level compared to taking a car school bus. In terms of math scores, students’ performance also slightly improved. After-school cycling activities can guide students to participate in moderate-intensity physical activities that require strength and endurance, providing a close overall feeling of the best physical condition in general sports activities and satisfaction with their current physical condition for the development of adolescent mental and social health.
Cycling, a low-impact activity, tends to result in fewer injuries, making it a preferred option for children who might not enjoy more conventional sports. Compared to sports where a child could be struck by a ball or caught in a vigorous game like tag, cycling presents a safer alternative. According to national safety surveillance data from 2013, sport and recreational injuries in Australians are on the rise, with children aged 5-14 years accounting for 25% of these injuries. Additionally, there has been an increase in hospitalizations from tree-related falls in Australia. Climbing a tree carries a risk similar to efforts to prevent a fall from it. In contrast, as children develop the ability to cycle without both wheels leaving the ground, they reduce their risk of falling, unlike the more complex skills required for navigating and descending from a tree branch.
Kids need physical activity to help develop strength in their muscles and bones. Cycling is a great way for children to be active because their bodies won’t realize how much energy they are exerting, and they will get to enjoy the exercise at the same time. Maintaining a healthy weight is important too and will help to decrease the risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer later in life. Although it is not common for kids to develop these types of diseases, the number of Australian children who are obese or overweight is currently about 30%. This is way too high and is a direct result of poor nutrition and not enough exercise.
Enhanced coordination skills
This would also result in the child having a good sense of balance. Also, their timing would be excellent. When a child or anyone is riding a bike, they are using one foot to push while the other one is on the pedal. This is teaching them the reciprocal motion and is a key part of learning bilateral coordination, i.e. right arm with left leg and vice versa. Crossing the mid-line is an important function in bilateral coordination, and children who have good bilateral coordination have been found to have better academic and cognitive performance. Cycling is also a fun way to incorporate sensory integration for kids who have poor muscle tone or poor posture. Muscle tone is a state of tension in the muscles, and for those with poor muscle tone, it is hard for them to hold an upright posture or execute smooth controlled movements. When cycling, children are using their core and trunk stability to maintain an upright posture. A stronger core is key in having good muscle tone, and with repetitions of cycling, we should see an improvement. Cognitive ability and motor skills are also being practiced in the coordination of gear and speed adaptation on their bikes.
Positive impact on mental well-being
Cyclists themselves are happier than the average person before they even get on a bike. Researchers at the YMCA revealed that people who switched from inactive commutes to active commutes experienced a boost in mood that lasted up to 8 hours. Cycling pumps blood round your body at a greater rate which allows for more oxygen to reach your muscles. This improves the health of the muscle tissues and contributes to a greater reduction in muscle pain. This is important as research has shown that around 10-25% of children and adolescents suffer from musculoskeletal pain at one time or another. It triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural opiates (endorphin = endogenous + morphine). Endorphins are chemically similar to the drug morphine. In short, these substances interact with the receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain. Feeling positive, they really do keep the doctor away! 30 minutes of cycling is estimated to raise endorphin levels and improve mood levels with a 36% decrease in stress levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone which is produced from inside your body in a highly pressurized or uncontrolled environment. Cycling reduces the production of cortisol by a good 61%. This effectively improves your stress control. Stress is a part of life that can be expected. However, for one in ten school children, it is a part of their everyday life and can trigger some nasty mental health problems. As a result, cycling can achieve happiness in children for a brighter future and improve stress vulnerability. Evidently, cycling can relieve mental depression. It has been estimated that around £8.1 billion per year is spent in treating the 1 in 4 adults that suffer from a mental health problem. A healthy mind leads to a healthy living is the saying. With cycling decreasing the probabilities of countless mental health problems and improving mood, the future could see a much healthier living environment for all of us.
Social benefits of cycling for kids
Children with good social skills are more likely to be physically active after school. Those with poor social skills, if they perceive their athletic competence to be low, are likely to choose activities that require less skill, which tend to be solitary or sedentary in nature. The social benefits of cycling are not always immediately apparent, as children have also reported through research that some social contacts have a negative impact on their rate of physical activity. However, with the increase in safe cycle routes, parks and tracks, children can now have more autonomy to choose to cycle with friends in a safe environment, free from the concerns of traffic and motorists. Cycling can provide social benefits to children when they are participating in a cycling event or travelling to and from places with their family and friends. It will give them a common interest, activity or destination, and build bonds in their relationships through shared experiences. In a culture where the bicycle is a chosen mode of transport it can build relationships and camaraderie between those who cycle, and give children a sense of belonging or membership to a specific group or cycling community. An example of this is the cycling culture in countries such as Denmark or the Netherlands, where there are high numbers of adults and children actively participating in cycling with a sense of safety, belonging and the knowledge that cycling is an accepted and supported activity in their communities.
Safety precautions for young cyclists
Lastly, wearing a properly fitted helmet is by far the most effective way to reduce the risk of head injury for all riders, particularly when they are on a kids bike. Establishing a safe place to ride is important for children to gain confidence and skills on their kids bike. Adult supervision is a necessary safety measure for children under 10, but it is important to avoid setting too many restrictions or offering unsolicited advice. It is crucial to find a balance between managing safety and allowing kids to make their own decisions. Teaching children the rules of the road and the meanings of various road signs will enable them to utilize the safest routes. Children must learn to be aware of their surroundings and the actions of others to prepare them for the time when they ride without adult supervision. Cycling on footpaths is a major cause of bicycle-related accidents. Often collisions between bikes and pedestrians occur, so it is best to keep to bike paths or the road when riding. Be sure to instruct children on the laws of cycling on the road. Riding with loose laces, backpack straps, or untied shoelaces can lead to many accidents. Seasoned riders know to secure any loose items when on the bike, and this should be consistently checked when children are about to go riding.