Mark your space
Mark it once. Every card in cycling starts from this space and adds what it needs.
The space
A flat, traffic-free surface: a school yard, an empty car park, a sports hall or a ball court. About 15 m by 30 m for circuits; two lines of cones 2 m apart; a square of cones for turning. No roads for any Basic or Intermediate card except with a trained cycle instructor.
Where it fits: lane (only if car-free), terrace (walking and balance work), park, school ground, village ground.
Mark in this order
- The start line
- Two lines of cones
- A square
- A stopping line for the braking game
Chalk or tape is enough. Tick each mark as you make it.
Bike check first
Tyres inflated, brakes working, chain in order, handlebars fitted, the bike fits the child.
A helmet with no damage, sitting level and fastened snugly; enclosed shoes with a non-slip sole; close-fitting, brightly coloured clothing; loose trousers tucked in; nothing to catch in the bike.
Practice kit first
The child's own bike, cones from bottles or shoes, chalk, a pool noodle, two ropes of 5 m, a few square wooden sticks.
Remove the pedals for scooting if shins are at risk.
Safety
Before every ride check the helmet fit, the brakes, the tyres, the chain, the handlebars and the seat; nothing dangling from clothes or the bike.
For play, keep the saddle low and practise on a soft or smooth surface.
Keep a safe distance between riders.
Gloves, elbow and knee pads for off-road, BMX and pumptrack riding.
On a pumptrack ride one way only and park bikes off the track.
The road is taught in the yard first and ridden only with a trained adult.
Fitness for riders: workonfitness.com.
awiseathlete.com/sports/cycling/setup