Importance of Bike Riding for Kids

Importance of bike riding for kids

Bike riding is a skill that everyone, regardless of age or ability, should be given the opportunity to try. It is a common childhood milestone, and a lifelong recreational activity for many!

Here are a few reasons we believe bike riding is one of the best skills you can learn as a child! 

 

IT’S FUN!

That feeling of gliding along, feeling the breeze against your face, drifting around corners and whizzing down hills is what makes cycling so fun! It’s the simple things in life that are the most rewarding, and that feeling of flying without wings is so contagious.

 “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” – J. F. Kennedy

IT’S CHEAP!

Let’s be honest, the past two years have seen us stuck inside. Gyms have been closed, sports have been cancelled, and so many of us haven’t been able to work. BUT, exercising outdoors is something we have been able to do.. And IT’S FREE! So why pay that pricey weekly gym membership when you can get outside on your bike!

 

IT’S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRNOMENT!

The average car creates almost 6 tonnes of pollutants each year, with transport being Australia’s third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Cycling is a pollution-free mode of transport that doesn’t run on fossil fuels, hence it doesn’t emit greenhouse gases.This means that riding your bike reduces your carbon footprint and is better for the environment!

 

IT’S LOW IMPACT!

Cycling causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise because it uses smooth closed chain movements to strengthen your muscles, bones and joints. Your ankles, knees and hips will thank you later…

IT’S A FUN WAY TO KEEP YOUR CHILD PHYSICALLY ACTIVE!

The Australian Government’s Department of Health produces The Australian Guidelines for Health. The guideline promotes 60 minutes of accumulative moderate to vigorous activity per day in children aged 5-12 years. The guideline encourages aerobic activity, as well as those that increase muscle strength and bone health. 

The guideline outlines physical activity as something that gets a child moving or increases heart/ respiration rate. Encouraging your child to ride a bike while they’re young helps to establish healthy exercise habits that are likely to stay with them for life.

Cycling can help to protect you from serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis.

IT BENEFITS DEVELOPMENT BY IMPROVING MOTOR PLANNING DISSOCIATION AND MENTAL HEALTH!

 Taking part in regular physical activity also has links to increase happiness. This is due to the effects of the exercise itself and because of the enjoyment that riding a bike can bring. It also provides kids with more opportunities to make social connections

The skills needed in bike riding include balance, body awareness, ability to perform dual tasks, and adequate motor planning. All of these are an important part of development, and cycling can help your child gain these skills.

 

IT CAN BE DONE AS A WHOLE FAMILY!

Cycling is an activity that all ages can enjoy. So many families en

joy bike riding as a family  as it is an outside, recreational activity that the whole family can enjoy and participate in! It’s a great way to share some quality time, and it’s good for you too.

 

IT CAN BE USED FOR TRANSPORT!

Not only is riding a bike recreational and better for the environment, but it doubles as a form of transport! Once your child gets older, cycling is easy to fit into your daily routine by riding to the shops, park, school or work. Even better, it saves you time because your child won’t have to rely on you for lifts. 

Canobolas Kids Physio is now working together with TAD – Freedom Wheels to bring free bike assessments to the Orange and Central West region! Freedom Wheels specialises in adaptive bikes for people of all ages, ability or mobility.

Get in touch with Freedom Wheels, or Canobolas Kids Physio today if you are interested in attending a trial.