Cycling UK Forum

thank you again for the further advices, I wasn't being sarcastic Sid- but I have found it quite strange that people are criticizing my mothering skills - regarding my daughter wearing a scarf on
the bike. best wishes to everyone here- hope you are all having a lovely evening.

ArMoRothair wrote:
The bigger risk here is her wearing a scarf on a bike. I've stopped my other half dressing our daughter with a scarf when we are using the bike because I have a horror of it getting entwined in the wheel.

I have 2 very happy healthy children, wearing scarfs whenever weather is chilly- she is also wearing glasses which could be another BIG RISK in case we fall she injures her face with the broken glass.

Thank you all for the creative suggestions. It was a helpful and interesting experience. As for taking pictures : i did not taken any with children on it except my own child. wishing the best for the future and hopefully none of your children cycling to this school (well obviously not- as children are not encouraged to cycle to school here couldn't even leave their helmet anywhere...)

BeeKeeper wrote:OK, you have 3 arms, two to lift your daughter out and one to hold the bike. But more seriously, if you want a fight go for it but it may all end in tears and they may not be yours. I would get a descent kickstand for your bike plus a lock and unload the bike outside the school on the pavement.

please join me on a day before making judgements... about my 3 arms- I have a very good technique I used for the last 10 years with my children... right arms hug them under lift out of seat left hand on bike plus my thighs a gridlock the bike from both sides. I do have locks- thank you very much. I would lock the bike if there was ANYWHERE a place to look it outside out of others' way. Lots of lovely kicks in the face I am getting from this group instead of actual advice how to solve this issue.
My main is: 1. taking my daughter to school on an environmentally friendly way
2. setting a positive example
3. reducing traffic around the schools
4. bring bike awareness to my school
5.encourage others to join cycling
6. make my school join bikeability and School Travel Plan, Cycling Scheme
7. get bike rails in or outside the school - just like all the other Havering schools

[quote="meic"]Yes but children have a habit of running blindly into things.[quote="meic"]

yes children headbutt each-other, children fall flat on their face on the playground on daily basis only because they are running around all the time- smashing into a buggy can be just as painful and in 15 months on the school grounds I have never caused any type of injuries. If we live in a what if world people should not even step out their front doors... there is no INCREASED risk only normal risk- like when kids are scootering around like crazy on the sidewalk and they bump into every pedestrian or even dogs...

meic wrote:It looks in the second picture as if the entrance to the yard is fairly narrow, is there a chance of children trying to go through at the same time as the bike and getting gouged by the pedals?

I am always very polite and let anyone pass through- even if I arrive first- I am not one of those who wants to barge through before everyone else.

I have discussed the bike issue with many parents and they do not understand the headteacher's complaint against me- they are very supportive- but obviously don't want to get involved . o I have lots of extremely positive feedbacks about cycling to school- many mums are saying I am inspirational and some started to cycle in once a week (during summer)other mum asked me to go to cycle with her sometimes when kids are in school. children say: awesome- mummy I want a bike too!

the bike is not left unattended as I only take my daughter of it while I hold it against the rail then holding my bike wait for her to go into class. I left it unattended to take pictures for you guys.. there is no risk of falling- as I am holding it all the time - School side entrance is normal entry point- no alleyway- double buggies block it more at entry than me. The head's issue is my pushing the bike into the school ground.

Here is my bike causing disturbance on the school grounds...

This is the school side entrance (the wooden frame) where I enter you see how far I push my cycle in till the metal fence...

Here is the area where I dismount my daughter from the bike

Thank you for all your comments. Now I have received a letter from the headteacher stating: ""I am delighted that you choose to ride to school as we would always promote an alternative to cars. However we recognise (she made the spelling mistake-not me) that adult bicycles can be a health and safety risk to pupils.I am sorry that you find my request discriminatory- but please be assured that this is not the case- just a reasonable request as a result of my personal observations."
I have sent my written answer which included:
the school have no any designated area for bicyles, there is no bike rail, no bike shelter . To make a Health and Safety decision there needs to be a formal assessment of the risk.I have been doing school runs by bike for 15 months now- without causing disturbance or injuries to anyone. I have also invited her to maybe join me on a day cycling to school- setting a good example for other and to experience my issues regarding no bike storage/rail provided to safely dismount my daughter from her seat.I suggested in my email to bring this subject up at the next goverrnors meeting and maybe get involved in STP (school travel plan). Havering has 93 schools within the borough and the Council’s targetwas to get all HAVERING SCHOOLS involved by 2012- unfortunately one of the remaining schools without a Cycling Scheme is my daughter's school. I have finished my letter by saying
I wish we can work these issues out together with a very positive outcome- I am more than happy to leave my bike in a safe designated strictly for bicycles area with suitable bike railing and easy access-
I truly hope one day I won’t be just singled out as a safety risk with my bike, but instead being just a good example more parents and kids will join me (maybe even yourself) and hopefully in the near future there will be also some area to accommodate cyclists’ needs within the school grounds.

My 5 year old daughter is at an Infant School in Gidea Park, Romford. Since she started school a year and a half ago I cycle with her daily (she is not a confident rider yet so she has a bike seat on my bike) . At the school gate I get off the bike, and push it into the school ground- walking - approx 15 meters from the gate I stop. There is a metal fence where I can lean my bike against so I can take my daughter out of her seat safely. there are 270 mums on school run in the infant school- none of the other parents are cycling, most of them driving their large 4x4s blocking sidewalks, pavements,parking absolutely everywhere. However today the head teacher rang me straight after I have returned home from the school run : saying that I AM A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD and she is no longer letting me to bring the bike into the school ground. According to her I am a hazard risk for potential injuries. (I do not ride on the school grounds!!!) I have pointed out that many mums bring prams, pushchairs, double buggies which take more space- people bring dogs in in their arms/ in handbags that is fine- me taking my daughter to school is not fine...? I see myself as a positive role model cycling to school every day. There is a small area for kids to lock their scooter in (tiny area full with little scooters and kids- not suitable for me to charge in with my bike)- but not a single designated area for bikes or a bike park anywhere you could leave your bike. I stand next to the bike when Olivia goes in with her teacher- none ever complained about me being in the way. I feel TOTALLY DISCRIMINATED-I do not understand her issue-the head sees herself as in total charge and she decided that from today these are HER NEW RULES- I AM BANNED TO ENTER WITH MY BIKE. I really need some advise her as I want to make sure that this doesn't happen anywhere else and i want to make an official complaint- just dont know how/ hwho am I supposed to talk about this issue- can she really ban my bike from the school ground?