Cycle to School: social, environmental and economic benefits
Discover the health benefits, environmental impact, and academic performance boost of cycling to school. Embrace a sustainable, healthy lifestyle today!
Posted on 19 September 2024
Cycling is a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport regardless of age. Each year, Cycle to School Week, a nationwide initiative, encourages students to ride their bike to and from school. The purpose is not only to develop an enjoyment of cycling but also to reap all the cycling benefits. Whether you are walking alongside or cycling with your children, Rory McCarron, senior associate solicitor and passionate cyclist, has broken down the full social, economic and environmental benefits.
Health and Fitness
The most obvious benefit of cycling to school (or anywhere) is health and fitness. With the rise of sedentary lifestyles, many children in the UK are at increased risk of obesity. Cycling helps burn calories in a non-intimidating and enjoyable way.
A daily cycling routine can help prevent weight gain and reduces the risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, later in life. Statistics provided by The Department of Health show that 1 in 3 children leaving primary school are already overweight or living with obesity, with 1 in 5 living with obesity. Integrating a few short cycles a week can dramatically help reduce this risk.
Cycling is a physical activity providing a full-body workout. It enhances cardiovascular endurance, helping to build stamina. According to NHS guidelines, children aged 5 to 18 should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Cycling is a fun and engaging way to meet this recommendation.
Additionally, cycling can have a huge positive effect on mental health. Regular physical activity releases endorphins, which act as natural mood lifters, reducing stress and anxiety. Studies show that children who exercise every day often have higher self-esteem and lower depression rates. Being outside also provides exposure to fresh air and nature, which can improve mental clarity and overall happiness.
Improved Academic Performance
The health benefits of cycling can extend to academic performance too. Research suggests that physical exercise has positive effects on cognitive function in children. It increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve focus and attention. Children who engage in regular physical exercise can focus on tasks better, have improved behaviour, and show enhanced classroom engagement.
Regular exercise can also improve memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities. Children who travel to school by bike often arrive more alert and ready to engage, compared to those who arrive by car after sitting in traffic. This shows the correlation between cycling and education; ultimately it leads to better academic performance.
Safety Awareness
The educational benefits extend outside of school, as learning to ride a bike offers practical lessons in road safety. Children learn how to read road signs, navigate traffic, and understand cycling rules. This is crucial for long-term safety, whether they continue cycling or begin driving later in life. These skills include recognizing hazards, hand signalling, using designated cycling lanes, and being aware of other road users.
By cycling from a young age, children develop a keen sense of spatial awareness and road etiquette early on. Programmes such as "Bikeability" teach children essential skills, from basic balance and steering to advanced on-road cycling skills. These programs help ensure that children are well-prepared for the realities of cycling in different environments.
Social and Community Engagement
Cycling can also improve a child’s social skills and community engagement.
Learning to cycle safely gives children a sense of accomplishment and personal responsibility. They gain confidence in their ability to travel independently. This can extend to other areas of their life, especially if they choose the cycling route. For older children, this can help prepare them for adulthood, as it teaches important life skills such as time management and self-reliance.
Cycling to school also teaches children how to care for and maintain their bicycles. It teaches them to take responsibility, such as locking their bike and the value of looking after their own property. Basic tasks like checking tyre pressure or keeping their bike clean can build confidence and accountability.
Finally, cycling with other children can provide social interaction and strengthen friendships. It encourages children to share a common activity and promotes teamwork. Group cycling is an opportunity for shy or introverted children to socialize and bond over a shared experience.
Encouraging cycling among children also fosters a sense of community within neighbourhoods. Parents, schools, and local governments often work together to improve cycling paths, which helps create safer and friendlier places for everyone to ride their bikes. This shared investment in infrastructure benefits all residents, not just cyclists.
Environmental Benefits
Cycling to school can significantly contribute to efforts to combat climate change. According to Mums for Lungs, 40% of primary school children are driven to school in England. This equates to 25% of vehicles in London’s morning rush hour according to TFL.
Cycling to school helps to reduce a family’s carbon footprint; it eliminates the need for short car journeys. These are often the least fuel-efficient. In urban areas, car emissions contribute significantly to air pollution. By reducing the number of cars on the road, cycling reduces harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
Fewer cars driving during the school run can improve local air quality. This does not only benefit the children who cycle but all students as well as the local community. Teaching children to use sustainable forms of transport from a young age instils environmentally friendly habits. Those who grow up cycling are more likely to continue using eco-friendly transport modes in adulthood.
Cost Savings
Family cycling trips as a mode of transport can help reduce monthly expenses for the whole family. Cycling requires an initial investment in the bike and gear, but the long-term costs are minimal. Parents can avoid the recurring costs associated with driving or public transport, making cycling a financially sound choice.
The saving does not stop there, as cycling can also lead to lower infrastructure costs for communities. In contrast to roads designed for cars, cycle lanes are relatively inexpensive to build and maintain, they also require less space. Cycling is a cost-effective way to improve transportation infrastructure as it reduces wear and tear on the roads. This leads to longer term savings for local governments.
If you would like your child to start cycling or develop stronger cycling skills, training and support is available. Schools and parents can use these programs to help children learn to cycle safely before they ride to school regularly. Many schools now offer Bikeability training, which is a modern version of the old cycling proficiency test. The training teaches children how to cycle confidently and equips them with essential skills to navigate their journeys safely. By promoting cycling to school, parents, schools, and communities can contribute to better health, environmental sustainability, and social well-being.
About Rory McCarron
Rory, senior associate solicitor at Leigh Day, joined the firm in 2016 and has been representing vulnerable road users for over 10 years. Rory primarily acts for cyclists who have sustained life changing injuries, but also represents other vulnerable road users. As a daily cyclist with his primary mode of transport being a bike, he understands how important being able to return to cycling as soon as possible after a serious incident for peoples physical and psychological wellbeing.
Rory campaigns regularly for making cycling safer and has been a key contributor to the recent Road Justice Inquiry Report. You can read Rory’s full biography down below.