Where you start your journey depends on the children involved. All the games and activities have been designed to meet the ability of individuals, not their age.
We recommend completing the Ready Set Ride series starting with Prepare 2 Ride, Skills 2 Ride – Balance – Balance using balance bikes and then onto Skills 2 Ride – Pedals.
Every activity card includes a list of things you may need.
Prepare 2 Ride – No specialist equipment is needed. Each game in this set is designed with equipment or things that you may use from around the home or in a classroom environment.
Skills 2 Ride – Balance – Balance will require a balance bike. If you don’t have a balance bike, please see our web page and short film on Turning a pedal bike into a balance bike.
Skills 2 Ride – Pedals will require a pedal bike. Remove any stabilisers as this will undo all of your child’s balance practice.
We recommend that anyone taking part in the activity wears a helmet. Make sure it is fitted properly, otherwise the helmet will be uncomfortable to wear and the children will fiddle with theirs, often pushing it off their forehead.
No specialist clothing is required, although we advise you to ensure that children in your group wear clothing that is kept well out of the way of chains and spokes. For further advice, see the Helmet and clothing check page.
No, you do not have to do the games in a specific order. However, we would recommend progressing through all three sets in the following order: Prepare 2 Ride, Skills 2 Ride – Balance – Balance, Skills 2 Ride – Pedals.
No, children do not have to complete Prepare 2 Ride.
However, the games in this set help to get children ready to ride and are great fun activities to do anytime.
These off the bike activities develop core skills which will set a child up for an active life but have been created with cycling in mind.
Once children have had a go at the Skills 2 Ride – Pedals Challenges and feel that they have really mastered them, they will be ready to enjoy cycling for a long time to come. All of the challenges can be repeated and enjoyed as much as you want and you can go back to them at any time. Very experienced riders still benefit from having a go at all these challenges.
The most important next step is to enjoy being on a bike and maybe going for fun bike rides. Get out and explore your community, use the bike to get to school, football, and to the shops. If you can get out riding with your child, they will absolutely love to ride with you and show you how good they are.
Hunt out interesting places to ride, such as canal paths, the countryside, and rides between local parks.
As your child reaches the age of 10 and starts to become a more independent rider, they may want to consider Bikeability training. More information is available at bikeability.org.uk.
British Cycling provide a range of other opportunities for young people to continue cycling. For more information, visit britishcycling.org.uk.
At the end of each set of games, there is a series of challenges to complete. Once you have completed these, log on and visit The shed to access certificates.
No, you do not have to be registered as a Go-Ride Club. As part of good practice however, we would encourage clubs to ensure that they have the appropriate workforce in place to facilitate any formal coached session.
Printed copies are available. If you would like to purchase a printed copy, please register your interest by emailing [email protected]
