1. Health benefits for you
Staying fit and healthy is important for every adult. In fact, it is recommended that we should undertake a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week. However, many adults in the UK are frequently falling below this target. Often, this comes as a result of having too little time or too few resources to exercise.
Cycling with your kids is the perfect solution! We understand that your children are your number one priority and, often, your own health can take a backseat as a result. However, combine the two and you’ve got a winning formula!
Cycling raises your metabolic rate, helping you lose weight and keep it off. As a resistance exercise, it’ll firm the thighs and bottom and can also help tone your abdominal muscles. By cycling regularly, you’ll reduce the risk of chronic illness, keep your weight under control, and even boost your mood!
2. Health benefits for your kids
Many children love getting out and about to burn off some energy and explore the world outside of their house. However, with a growth in technology, figures show that one-third of children are currently not reaching the minimum recommendation of 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Is your little one getting in their hour of exercise a day? If the answer is no, it could be time to make a change! Cycling can be a great activity to introduce to your children in order to help them keep fit, healthy and strong.
3. Mental health and learning benefits
It might come as a surprise that cycling can improve your child’s learning development and mental health. In an experiment comparing children who ride their bike to school and those who are driven, those who cycle in the mornings were more focused, motivated and ready to learn upon arriving at the classroom.
Evidence also shows that carrying out regular physical activity can increase happiness and be a general mood booster. If it’s possible for you, cycling to school is the perfect way to introduce some regular exercise into your child’s routine!
4. Minimal costs
Entertaining your children can often be pricey, but with cycling the costs are minimal. If you already own bikes and helmets, great news, you’re ready to go. Pick a location, put on your helmet, pack some snacks and you’ve got a cheap, fun day out ahead of you!
However, if you’re looking to invest in some bike options, here at Cycle King & Hawk Cycles, we’ve got plenty for all the family at great prices. Why not take a look at the men’s bikes, women’s bikes and kid’s bikes on our website. Or visit your local store to shop our in-store collection, including a wide range of used bikes at discount prices!
5. Get to know the local area
Getting your kids out and cycling close to home will improve their confidence and comfort within their community. They’ll get to know their way around the local area and develop a strong sense of direction and navigational skills.
Getting to know the local area can also benefit your child’s safety. By learning the roads of their local community with you by their side, they’ll become more streetwise and understand how to be safe around cars and roads from a young age.
6. It’s Easy!
For both you and your child, cycling doesn’t require too much technical skill or expertise. If your child can already ride a bike, you’re ready to get going! However, if they’re yet to learn, it’s a simple and fun activity that you can do together.
Unlike some sports, once your child masters riding a bike, they’re free to ride as much as they like without having to constantly learn something new. This also makes cycling a simple activity for you as a parent, there’s no need to get to grips with a brand-new skill!
7. Low impact
If you’re worried about the strain that a sport might cause to your child’s growing bones, cycling is a great option. It’s a low impact sport, meaning that unlike running, football or other sports, it doesn’t involve the pounding of their growing legs on the floor.
This rule can also be applied to your own bones, particularly if you’re injury-prone or have any existing injuries. As a low impact sport, it’s much safer than certain exercises you may end up doing at the gym!
8. Great for the planet
As a pollution-free mode of transport, cycling is certainly a greener option! By substituting the car and riding a bike with your children to school, their friend’s house or your local store, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. Opting for a bike ride will cut down car emissions and time spent in traffic. It’s a win-win!
9. Bring the family together
Cycling can be a great bonding activity for all of the family. Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, an old fashioned British bike ride is something that all ages can enjoy. By getting out of the house together you’ll create new memories, joint experiences, and bond as a family.
10. Plenty of fun
Finally, there’s no denying that a bike ride can be plenty of fun for all the family! Your little ones will love getting out and about on their bikes, experiencing the excitement and thrill of riding at faster speeds. See their faces light up as you join them, and experience the thrill for yourself as you explore new areas together as a family.