Mad About Cycling
On Your Bike
Now the good weather is here, why not have fun cycling outdoors? You can pack a picnic and cycle around woodlands and parks, or even ride to school if you’re old enough and follow good road safety. Always remember to make sure an adult knows what you’re doing and where you’re going! Cycling is a great way to exercise and keep fit and lets you explore much further and faster than you can do on foot. In fact, on a bike you travel about twice as fast as when you’re walking, so you can get to the park in double-quick time!
Road Safety 
If you’re under the age of ten, you can cycle off-road in parks and woodlands, but it’s not safe to ride on the road unless you’re with an adult. If you’re over ten, you can ride on the road as long as:
- You have taken Bikeability National Cycle Training
- You are wearing a properly fitted cycle helmet
- You have asked permission from a parent or carer
Always remember that riding on the road is dangerous, even if you’re with an adult, so stay sensible and concentrate on what’s going on around you.
Bikeability National Cycle Training teaches anyone over the age of ten about riding safely on the road. Training schemes are available all over the country and are fun to do during half-term or the summer holidays. Visit www.bikeability.org.uk to find out where you can train.
Choosing the Best Bike
Which bike is best for you – a street bike or a mountain bike? It's good to learn about different types of bikes, so you can decide which one suits you and your hobbies. If you already have a bike, knowing what type it is may help you use it properly and stop it getting damaged.
Mountain Bikes 
Looks-wise: Mountain bikes have thick tyres with knobbly bits on them to help them bounce over rough ground. The frames are usually very solid and sturdy, and often come with a holder for your water bottle.
Best suited for: Cycling through woodland, grassy areas, country trails and parks with gravel pathways or potholes. Mountain bikes are great all-round bicycles, but because of their thick tyres and heavy frames they are harder to ride fast.
City Bikes
Looks-wise: City bikes have thinner, smoother tyres than mountain bikes and often have mudguards to stop dirt splashes. The handle bars are usually quite high and the seats low down, so they’re comfortable to sit on and easy to get on and off.
Best suited for: Cycling on smooth ground like roads or concrete paths. You can cover long distances without much effort on a city bike. Cycling on cut grass or forest paths is OK too, but stay away from bumpy tracks or you’re in for a very sore ride (and maybe even a spoilt bike).
National Bike Week: 19th – 27th June 2010
Britain is going bike crazy from Saturday the 19th of June 2010. National Bike Week happens every year and is a chance for you to take part in all sorts of cycling events in your area. The week is always lots of fun and in some areas you can even have your bike safety checked for free. To find out what’s going on in your part of the country, visit the National Bike Week website: www.bikeweek.org.uk
