• Cycling locally with members of your household fits in with Government advice
• Roads are quieter, making this an ideal time to build children’s confidence
• Charity provides guide for family cycling and how to find local rides straight from your doorstep
• Images available at https://www.skyfish.com/p/cyclinguk/1719050
• Short film about family cycling available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ywNfSRR4-k

This Easter, Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, is encouraging families to take the opportunity to discover the joys of cycling together. With home schooling on hold, less traffic on the roads and warmer weather finally here, it’s a perfect time to go outdoors, get some exercise and build valuable cycling habits.

James Scott, Cycling UK’s Director of Behaviour Change and Development, said: “School closures mean children have been stuck at home even before the holidays, so it is more important than ever that they get a change of scene and get active, for their physical and mental wellbeing. Cycling, as long as it is done responsibly, is a great way to get outdoors as a family, and teach children skills that will keep them healthy and safe in the future.”

Cycling UK has put together a guide to riding with your family during the coronavirus crisis, covering topics such as where and when to ride, checking clothing and equipment, skills to practise before heading out on the road, and learning road sense.

With all of us being called on to cut out non-essential car journeys, and concerns over people congregating in popular areas to exercise, Cycling UK has also published a guide to planning local rides that start from your doorstep. Whether using a traditional map or one of the wealth of hi-tech online route planners, this is a great opportunity to find new places to ride close to home, taking into account the need to exercise responsibly.

“During this time when we all have to ride locally, one of the hardest things for parents to do is work out a child-friendly route from their own doorstep,” Scott commented. “However, with road traffic levels as low as they were in the 1950s, now is the perfect time to get out exploring – so long as you follow Government guidance."

To help control the spread of coronavirus, Cycling UK is stressing the importance of following Government guidance on taking exercise safely. Group riding is not permitted, except with members of your household, and only if everyone in the household is healthy. While outside, cyclists should:

• Maintain a distance of at least two metres from anyone outside their household.
• Take tissues with them and dispose of these in the nearest bin after use.
• Wash their hands and cycle gloves when they return.