Bikes provide your child with a sense of independence, whilst also encouraging your children to enjoy exercise and embrace going outdoors. Although they are exciting gifts to receive, if not gifted correctly, they can come with the added stress of managing excess finances and the dreaded storing of presents until the big day. That’s where our Christmas Savings Club comes in handy. Let us do the hard work for you!

What is the Christmas Savings Club?

Our Christmas Savings Club allows you to reserve a kids’ bike with just a small £10 initial deposit. We will reserve the bike, assemble it, and hide it away until the big day. It’s a great way to avoid any disappointment this festive period.

You can pay the remaining balance whenever suits you, choosing from a wide variety of payment plans. With flexible payments and no credit checks, what’s there to lose? This year, we’ve even included a FREE pre-service and first service, meaning that you’re getting even more for your money!

All you need to do is choose a bike that you want to reserve, pay the deposit and we’ll take it from there!

Top Picks

Ammaco Orchid kids bike –  FROM £199.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

With a striking colour-coordinated theme and a lightweight aluminium frame, the Ammaco Orchid is the perfect bike for those stylish young riders! It features a single-speed gearing system, making it easy-to-use and helping to increase confidence. It also features front and rear V-brakes, so your child can zoom off but still stop safely. It’s available in 14″, 16″, 18″ and 20″ wheel sizes.

Professional Flex 16-inch wheel kids bike – NOW £149.99, WAS £249.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

The Professional Flex is a great choice for those adventurous young riders. Equipped with powerful V-brakes, adjustable reach brake levers,  a fully enclosed chainguard, mudguards, and a handy front basket so that their favourite toy can join in on the adventures.

Set of 33 Star Shaped Spokey Dokeys –  NOW £3.99, WAS £4.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Elevate your child’s style with some Spokey Dokeys! Not only do they look pretty, but your child will have so much fun mixing these about to create their dream wheels. They’re easy to clip on and change whenever they want to customise their ride.

Ammaco Handlebar Colourful Streamers Blue – £6.99

Decorate your child’s bike with these brilliant streamers! They come in a choice of blue or pink/silver and make the perfect addition to make any child’s bike stand out.

How to reserve a bike?

You can reserve a bike by visiting your local store, where our friendly staff will help you secure the best Christmas gifts for your little one. Alternatively, if you’re certain which bike is ‘the one’, you can reserve online through the ‘Click & Collect’ option on our online checkout.

Your local store will be in contact to discuss payment and collection dates.

The Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ festivities don’t stop there! View our ‘Christmas Gift guide for cyclists’ for gifting inspiration for those hard-to-buy for family members. You can also check out our social media post to get some inspiration on how to wrap a bike this Christmas.

There’s nothing to lose, so why wait! Surprise your loved ones this Christmas with our Christmas savings club. Browse our range of kids’ bikes online or visit your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store to secure the perfect bike today.

Prices correct as of 11/09/2024.

University is full of opportunities and challenges, but that’s all part of the fun! As you explore your new independent life, you’ll need to consider how you get to and from campus on time for those 9am lectures! While many students rely on public transport or walking, you may decide to explore the many benefits of cycling. From saving you money and time, to prioritising socialising and exploring your new home town, here’s why we think cycling should be your go-to mode of transport on campus.

Benefits of Using a Bike at University

1. Cost savings

 Cycling will eliminate the cost of bus tickets, fuel or parking. Bikes are also relatively low maintenance and far more affordable to fix when things go wrong. Our Student Special packages offer a light set and D-Lock with the purchase of selected bikes as well as helmets from £10 with the purchase of any bike. Ask in store for more details.

2. Easier commute to university campus.

Beat the traffic by choosing to cycle! Bikes allow you to bypass traffic and get around much quicker. Many towns/cities have dedicated bike lanes, making it much easier and safer for you to navigate your journey. You’ll also save time on finding a parking spot as it’s much easier to secure your bike to a bike rack once you have arrived. 

3. Exploring the city

University isn’t just about studying and going to classes, it’s also about making friends and enjoying yourself.  A bike provides you with a unique way to explore the area you are living in, meet new people and make the most of your surroundings.  It’s also a convenient way to get to work, the shops or to visit friends who may live a little further out. 

4. Health benefits

Cycling offers various health benefits, from building muscle strength and cardiovascular health to stress reduction and mood boosts. Cycling just three times a week, around 2-4 hours a day, is enough to improve your general fitness. Perfect for those of you busy studying (and partying!). Find out more about the benefits of cycling here.

5. Join Cycling Societies and Groups

We believe cycling is more than just a mode of transportation, and a way of staying fit, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet new people with shared interests. Many universities have cycling societies that bring together students who share a passion for cycling. Societies will often organise events such as races, group rides, bike tours and various social events which are great opportunities to meet new people. They can also provide opportunities to improve your cycling skills, learn more about cycling and explore all the well known and beautifully hidden cycling routes in your new city. Keep an eye out for your university’s cycling society, and if there isn’t one already, set one up! Be sure to let us know how you get on!

Why Buy Your University Bike From Cycle King & Hawk Cycles?

1. Benefit from a student discount

Our stores offer students a 10% discount on all bike accessories and repair services. Simply pop into any Cycle King & Hawk Cycles store and present a valid student ID card at the checkout. Find your local store here. Please note that this discount cannot be used alongside any other store offers.

2. Student ‘Buy-Back’ Scheme

As a student, when you buy a bike from Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ we can buy it back from you when you’re finished – meaning you can get up to 40% of the cost of your bike back*. 

*T&Cs apply. Ask in store for more details.

Assembled, Serviced and Ready to ride! Check out our Student Specials:

To help you settle into University life, we have some student-friendly offers available only to students for a limited time only. We’ve got new bikes ready to ride from just £180, helmets from just £10 (with the purchase of any bike). If that wasn’t enough, we’re offering a discounted price when you purchase a light and D-Lock bundle for your bike. Check out our top pick bikes below:

Buzzbike Commuter Hybrid Bike – WAS £515.99, NOW £224 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

Buzzbike is a high quality and durable choice which offers a unique way to navigate urban environments. It’s been ergonomically designed for a comfortable experience, even on longer journeys. It has a hi-tensile steel frame, front and rear V-brakes, mudguards, and is equipped with Shimano 3 speed hub gears. For a limited time only, this bike will include lights and a D-Lock when you purchase our Student Special package.

Student packs – Ensure your safety with lights & D-locks!

For a limited time only, we’re offering discounted prices when buying selected lights and D-Lock alongside your bike purchase. From as little as £18 you can get a brand new LED light set and D-Lock to ensure safety for both yourself and your new bike. Browse our selection on student packs online or ask in store for more details.

Using a bike at University is more than just a practical choice, it can hugely benefit your overall University experience. From saving money to exploring the city and connecting with new people, there are numerous benefits from cycling. If you haven’t already considered getting a bike for University, now is the best time to start! Our expert and friendly staff are always on-hand to help you find the perfect bike. Find your local store here or browse our selection of bikes online.

Top 4 family cycling spots in the UK:

The Forest of Dean is a fantastic family day out, offering a range of cycling trails through a beautiful woodland environment, perfect for all skill levels. The forest features adventure play areas, natural play spaces, safe off-road family cycling, as well as lots of outdoor space to create dens. They’re currently celebrating the 25th birthday of the Gruffalo with a brand new ‘Gruffalo Party trail’, which may be of interest for families with  younger children.

2. The Tissington Trail, Peak District

Based on a former railway line, the Tissington Trail offers a 13-mile gentle and mostly flat terrain suitable for younger cyclists. This trail is full of history, with former station platforms and the old signal box to discover, providing plenty of opportunities to discover and learn something new!

3. Richmond Park, London

One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park offers a slice of the countryside in the centre of London. Enjoy spotting deers roaming freely around the park, admire the distant views of St Paul’s Cathedral, or explore the ancient woods and Natural Nature Reserve. It’s an excellent spot for a family picnic and a leisurely bike ride.

4. Rendlesham forest, Woodbridge

There’s something for everyone at Rendlesham Forest! Discover the UFO trail and learn more about the famous UFO sightings. Enjoy the various cycle trails, sculptures, and children’s play areas. It’s an exciting mix of nature and mystery that can capture the imagination of both children and adults.

Our bike recommendations:

Adult Bikes

The Ammaco pathway series are the perfect choice for commuting or leisure. The pathway X1 offers a comfortable and easy to mount step through frame, 21-speed rapid fire shimano gears and puncture-resistant tyres – for added durability and reliability on every ride.

Kids Bikes

The Salcano wolf packs some serious power into its cool BMX style frame. With wolf-themed graphics, powerful v-brakes and lightweight alloy frame, this bike will make any young rider feel unstoppable!

National bike week is here and there’s no better time to get out, riding your bike. Cycling is a fun activity for the whole family to get involved in. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or enjoy the more leisurely rides, cycling is a great form of exercise with incredible benefits. In this blog, we’ll help you discover the benefits of cycling to encourage you to get out there and cycle more.

Health Benefits:

Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. Cycling just 3 times a week, around 2-4 hours, is enough to improve your general fitness. Here’s some of the health aspects that cycling can improve:

1. Muscle Strength: Cycling uses a lot of our major muscles. It engages our legs, core, and even our upper bodies which helps to improve muscle strength and improve flexibility without putting too much strain on your joints or muscles.

2. Cardiovascular Health: Regular cycling can strengthen your heart, lungs and circulation. It can reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the overall health of your heart.

3. Stamina: The more you cycle, the more you’ll notice an increase in your stamina and endurance. This means you’ll have more energy for activities and less fatigue.

Impact on Mental Well-Being:

Cycling isn’t just great for your body, it’s also great for your mind and a fantastic way to improve your mental health. Here’s why…

1. Stress reduction: Cycling helps to release endorphins which help to relieve stress. It’s a great way to clear your mind and reduce anxiety and stress levels.
2. Improve mood: The physical activity involved in cycling helps to stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in our brain that improve our mood and make us feel happier. Our mood can be increased even more by cycling outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature.
3. Better sleep: Taking part in regular exercise, such as cycling, can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. This can also help to improve our overall health and well-being as we get more rest.

Environmental Impact of Cycling:

Choosing a bike over a car can have significant positive impacts on the environment, helping to reduce air pollution and make our planet a better place to live. Here’s how cycling can contribute to a healthier planet:

1. Less air pollution:  By choosing to cycle rather than drive, you’re helping to reduce air pollution. Approximately 5.2 million car trips would be saved over a year, which would have a massive positive impact on the levels of air pollution.
2. Reduced CO2 levels: Bikes produce zero emissions, unlike cars. By choosing a bike over a car at least once a day, you can help to reduce carbon emissions by 67%! 
3. Less noise pollution: Bikes are a lot quieter than motor vehicles such as cars or motorbikes. Cycling helps to make the environments more peaceful and means there is less disruption for animals and habitats too.

Additional Benefits of Cycling:

1. Cost-effective: Bikes are fairly low maintenance to upkeep. You can save money on fuel, parking and maintenance while investing in your health!
2. Time-efficient: You can save yourself time on the school runs by cutting out the faff of finding a parking spot or sitting in traffic.

Our top bike recommendations:

Ammaco Escape 26 inch Wheel mountain bike – WAS £369.99, NOW £219.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)

If you’re looking for a tough and durable mountain bike, that doesn’t cost a fortune, then the Ammaco Escape is the perfect choice.  Mixing comfort with durability, the  Ammaco Escape features front suspension forks, powerful v-brakes, and 21 shimano gears – it’s a great bike for any terrain, whether you’re tackling trails or enjoying a leisurely ride.

Cycling is a great activity for the entire family, helping to improve our health and contributing to a brighter, green planet for all. It’s all about getting outdoors and having fun. You can browse our large selection of adult bikes and kids bikes, either online or at your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store. Our expert staff are on hand to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect bike, as well as recommend accessories and make any repairs to keep those wheels spinning.

Exploring new places can be fun and exciting, especially when cycling is involved. The Ford Ride London is a traffic-free cycling route throughout Essex, which offers an unforgettable experience, not only to see new places but also to push yourself within a thrilling challenge. This year, the event will take place on Sunday 26th May 2024. How do you plan to take part?

Stages of rides at RideLondon 2024

Ford Ride London – Essex 30: Sunday 26th May – Embankment – South Woodford – Tower Bridge

Ford Ride London – Essex 60: Sunday 26th May – Embankment – Ongar – Tower Bridge

Ford Ride London – Essex 100: Sunday 26th May – Victoria Embankment – Braintree – Tower Bridge

Need some encouragement to take part next year?

Unfortunately, it is now too late to sign up for this year’s RideLondon event. Make sure to keep an eye out for the announcement of RideLondon 2025.

1. Picturesque Views: The ride starts and finishes in London, taking you on a beautiful ride through the picturesque Essex Countryside and in between. You’ll get a glimpse of the quaint villages and stunning greenery,  as well as get a taste for England’s rich history.
2. Take on a challenge: Tackle the challenging terrain, from steep climbs to exhilarating descents. The RideLondon is a huge challenge for any cyclist, no matter how much experience you may have, however, it’s incredibly rewarding! Not only for you to challenge yourself, but also to raise money for incredible causes while doing so.
3. Community: The RideLondon is a great day out for the whole family. Whether you’re taking part in the event, and meeting with some friends before or after, or you’re going to support  a loved one who is taking part – it creates a huge sense of community for everyone. Keep an eye out on our socials (@cyclekinguk) to see what we get up to to support RideLondon – Essex.

Join us in supporting the Ford RideLondon – Essex riders

We’ve partnered with Epping Forest District Council to support RideLondon at the Epping Community Fete. Join us between 8:30am and 12:30 pm on 26th May to take part in an array of fun activities.

Work up a sweat for your very own fruit delight on one of our smoothie bikes, tackle tombola or get some funky face paint. You can also  be in with the chance of winning one of the two bikes we’ve donated for the events, either a kids’ or adults’ bike. It’s an enjoyable day out for the whole family; we hope to see you there.

We’d love to see what you get up to on the day! Make sure to tag us in your photos @cyclekinguk. You can find out more about the Epping Community fete here.

Accessories to jazz up or improve your ride:

Know someone keen to get training for RideLondon 2025? Gift the gift of support with some of our most popular accessories. 

Smart Front Rear 3 LED light set – £14.99 This compact light set is designed to be an affordable yet effective light set, ideal for all cyclists.

  Zefal Magnum Pro 975 ml Bottle Black – £8.99

The large capacity of this bottle makes it perfect for those long bike rides helping you to stay hydrated on your cycle. It’s compatible with most bottle cages.

Cycling on the road comes with a lot of responsibility. You not only need to be aware of yourself, but also of other vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions. Understanding the road will help you to staysafe, and protect yourself and others from any accidents. In this blog, we aim to help you understand road markings, tyre safety and offer tips to manage road rage. We’ll also give our recommendations on road bikes, as well as cycling accessories to help keep you safe on the roads.

Road markings

Road markings act as a very useful guide for both cyclists and drivers. They help you to anticipate upcoming changes in the road layouts, as well as navigate your way across the roads better. Make sure you’re familiar with the meanings of different road markings to help ensure safety on the roads.

Cycle lanes are designated lanes for cyclists and are marked by a solid white line at the edge of the road. You do not have to stay within this line, but it acts as a guide for drivers to ensure that cycle lanes are unobstructed at all times.

‘GIVE WAY’ markings: These are marked by broken white lines at junctions or roundabouts. When approaching, you must give way to the right.

Advanced ‘STOP’ lines: These are boxed areas at traffic lights that are reserved for cyclists, you should wait here for the traffic lights to change.

‘STOP’ line at ‘STOP’ sign: Everyone must stop behind this solid line, both vehicles and cyclists.

Tyre Safety

You should always check your bike tyres before heading for a cycle to ensure they’re road safe. Inflation: Check that the tyres are suitably inflated to ensure they grip to the road. Browse our selection of bike pumps here. Punctures/splits: Never ride your bike if the tyres have any splits or cuts to them. You could invest in puncture-resistant tyres to prevent this from happening. Browse our puncture repair equipment here.

Cycling Accessories

Investing in the right, good quality cycling accessories can not only improve your ride but also enhance safety on the roads when cycling. Helmets: A properly fitted helmet is essential for protecting your head in the case of a fall or accident. They should be replaced every 3 years to ensure the foam under the plastic shell has not been compressed and is still effectively protecting your head. Browse our selection of adults helmets here.

Road Rage – Being aware of other cyclists/vehicles

Cyclists can sometimes face some backlash from drivers, but it’s essential to stay calm whilst on the roads. There are some ways you can prevent road rage encounters as a cyclist: Obey the rules: Always make sure you are following the rules of the law and road markings to prevent any drivers getting frustrated with you. Stay aware: Make sure you are aware of the road conditions and other vehicles. Minimise distractions such as mobile phones or music. Be seen: Ensure you are wearing hi-vis clothing or have lights on your bike to help others see you on the road and prevent any accidents.

Bike Recommendations

Our road and gravel bike collection is designed for cyclists who demand versatility and performance across diverse terrains. These bikes seamlessly blend the speed of road bikes with the resilience of gravel models, featuring lightweight frames, responsive handling, and wider tyres for enhanced traction on varied surfaces. They are ideal for both long-distance road rides and adventurous off-road trails, offering the perfect mix of comfort, durability, and agility. View our recommendations below: