Getting on your bike to and from school is great for those beautiful summer days. Now the clocks have gone back, we all need to be ready for the darker, colder weather. But there is light at the end of the tunnel! Here at First Step Cycle, we want to help you stay safe on your journeys, even when it’s dark outside.

Here are some effective tips to help your pupils navigate these darker hours safely:

 

1. Reflective clothing for cycling

Encourage parents to provide high-visibility jackets for cycling during dark evenings. Reflective materials and brighter colours stand out in the dark. Ask them to avoid darker clothes and choose high-visibility insulated jackets, colourful coats, and accessories like reflective stickers or badges on bags, which can significantly increase their visibility to drivers.

 

2. Check bike lights regularly

It’s essential that parents and guardians check a child’s bike lights before they go cycling. There are plenty of rechargeable and battery-operated options to choose from, and parents should encourage their children to check their lights before leaving home. You could even recommend headlights that can be worn on helmets for scooters and bikes.

 

3. Recommend safe cycling routes

Adding cycle route maps on school gates and included in newsletters would contribute to your Modeshift Travel Plan. These routes would encourage children to cycle in groups if they’re cycling in similar directions. Offering this would also reassure parents of safety, with well-known routes and landmarks for them and their children.

 

4. Organise cycling groups

There is no need for children to take on cycling and bike checks on their own if other pupils are taking the same journeys. You can encourage pupils who will be cycling home to meet in the playground before leaving with their bikes. Check their ABCs (Air, Brakes, Chain) and add lights for darker evenings. They can use similar groups for their local areas when they’re on the way to school.

Foster a sense of community and shared responsibility among peers and in your school community, and contribute towards your Modeshift Travel Plan!

 

5. Keep communication open

Communication is key to ensuring safety. Whether it’s their parents or their teachers, children should always feel free to talk about any concerns they have. Cycling on darker evenings for children can be a scary experience and require greater concentration. Remind your pupils to keep to the safest routes and avoid low-lit areas before they leave for home.

 

6. Remind them about road safety

Parents and teachers should have conversations with children about road safety. Emphasise the importance of looking both ways when crossing the street. When cycling, pupils should stick to zebra crossings if they need to cross on pavements. They should always stop at traffic lights, listen to crossing guards, and keep their reflective gear on so drivers can see them on the roads. Pupils should be encouraged to always use cycle lanes when safe to do so.

 

Cycling during the evenings

Most children will feel anxious about cycling or scooting in the dark, and that’s okay! This time of the year is something they will need to adapt to with practice. It may not be the right time for them to cycle every day. They may need to work up to it.

 

Be Bright and Be Seen!

This year, join the ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ campaign. Not only can you improve the confidence and safety of your pupils, but you’ll also have strategies that can work towards your Modeshift Approved Travel Plan.

Get in touch today to discover how First Step Cycle can help you promote active travel in your school through the Modeshift STARS scheme.