Cycle for children

Cycling offers a fun way to keep fit, gain independence and see more of your local area.

The average number of children who cycle to school nationally is 2%. However, evidence from Europe suggests that children who cycle to school are fitter and healthier than those who walk, or are driven.

Young cyclists, in particular, need to take great care when riding on our increasingly busy roads.

Traffic-free cycle routes are the safest option, but when cycling becomes a means of getting from A to B, rather than just pure enjoyment, young cyclists have to tackle the roads.

Doing that safely means proper training, which is where Kent County Council's cycling proficiency training can be, quite literally, a life-saver. Find out more about Cycle safety training.

Also, we have teamed up with Sustrans to part fund a 'Bike It' Officer in Ashford to enable more children to cycle safely to school.

Keen young riders who want to develop their racing technique, perhaps after watching the success of Team GB at the Olympics or the Tour de France, could think about joining a cycling club or Go-Ride, which is a Club Development Programme aimed at improving both young riders and clubs.

It focuses on volunteers and young members - improving coaching standards and increasing the number of young riders with access to coaching activities.

Go-Ride supports the creation of school-club links, which helps provide clubs with a constant influx of new young members and helps everyone work towards our shared vision of more young people, more active, more often in cycling.