Teenagers cycling to school

grazer

My 13 & 15 year olds have started cycling to school. 6km of Dublin traffic. My heart is in my mouth. I cycle and drive, so know the dangers very well from both perspectives. I’ve said hi viz and helmets are non negotiable. And we’ve done practice runs.
I suppose i’m looking for reassurance from other parents whose kids cycle in Dublin... and any other tips for safety.

neris

Good locks for the bike shed.

sasta le

How safe/dangerous is the route

LeinsterDub

grazer wrote: »

My 13 & 15 year olds have started cycling to school. 6km of Dublin traffic. My heart is in my mouth. I cycle and drive, so know the dangers very well from both perspectives. I’ve said hi viz and helmets are non negotiable. And we’ve done practice runs.
I suppose i’m looking for reassurance from other parents whose kids cycle in Dublin... and any other tips for safety.

Hi viz and helmets don't help. Tell them to take the center of the lane if there is a danger of a close pass.

Wildly Boaring

Defensive cycling training
Take the lane.

Lights. Hiviz is no comparison to proper lights

grazer

sasta le wrote: »

How safe/dangerous is the route

Some cycle lanes, some narrow two way roads with lots of parked cars, cars coming out of driveways etc. Dublin cycling is generally dangerous as far as i’m concerned (and I say that as a cyclist and a driver). They’re sensible enough, but anyone cycling in rush hour traffic needs their wits about them. Not always the case with teenagers.

grazer

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Defensive cycling training
Take the lane.

Lights. Hiviz is no comparison to proper lights

Yes they have lights and have been told to have them on for every trip.

LeinsterDub

grazer wrote: »

Yes they have lights and have been told to have them on for every trip.

Relax a bit. Cycling isn't that dangerous. Rush-hour means lots of cars for sure but they are barely moving. You don't need lights when it's not dark.

grazer

LeinsterDub wrote: »

grazer wrote: »

Yes they have lights and have been told to have them on for every trip.

Relax a bit. Cycling isn't that dangerous. Rush-hour means lots of cars for sure but they are barely moving. You don't need lights when it's not dark.

Yep, trying to relax! It’s a very good thing overall. And great for their independence. And my mornings.

grazer

LeinsterDub wrote: »

grazer wrote: »

Yes they have lights and have been told to have them on for every trip.

Relax a bit. Cycling isn't that dangerous. Rush-hour means lots of cars for sure but they are barely moving. You don't need lights when it's not dark.

Yep, trying to relax! It’s a very good thing overall. And great for their independence. And my mornings.

patmahe

You can also get wearable lights, I have two to the back of my helmet. My thinking is it's two lights high up and highly visible. Also I believe the fact that they move if I move my head means someone following behind might register that I am a cyclist that bit earlier.

Reflectors in the wheels or those spoke reflectors would also be good to ensure visibility from the side, you can get reflective strips too, to put anywhere on the bike.

If the are carrying their schoolbags (assuming they are a dark colour) then a high Viz bag cover would be a good idea and will keep the bag dryer on wet days, oh and get them mudguards ðŸ˜

eeeee

Good lights and traffic awareness is all they need.
Tell them to look behind themselves when they change line (that's the no 1 dangerous behaviour I see other cyclists (not) doing daily).
Keep out from the edge of the road, good set of lights, enjoy their independence!

ridelikeaturtle

As long as they aren't using their phone while riding, they'll be doing better than a lot of kids I see on bikes.

plodder

Goes without saying, but still needs to be said. Obey traffic/pedestrian lights, take special care at junctions. I see a lot of kids just sailing through them without stopping or barely slowing.

If it were my kids, I'd insist on good lights, and some hi-viz/reflective elements, eg arm /ankle bands and a bag cover.

GlennaMaddy

A bell for pedestrians who are about to wander off the path (on the bike, not on the pedestrian)

And slow down, with hands on the brake when cycling passed parked cars. I can't tell you how many of my friends have been creamed by idiots not checking to see if there's a cyclist coming before opening their door.

flatface

Can you go with them the first handful of times? I would cycle behind them and watch their decision making.

_Brian

Fair play.

I wish it was an option, we have 7km of dangerous road so it’s impossible, plus both parents pass the schools on route to work.

I notice at my daughters secondary school I only see 2 kids cycling to school out of 800.

flatface

Also choose the safest route rather than the shortest. I scooped out many routes from home to school before settling on the best

site_owner

they are only kids, tell them to cycle on the path if they need to

LeinsterDub

site_owner wrote: »

they are only kids, tell them to cycle on the path if they need to

Isn't it odd how responsible adults cycling on the footpath is considered dangerous by some despite the complete lack of evidence but if it's kids it's grand.

07Lapierre

_Brian wrote: »

Fair play.

I wish it was an option, we have 7km of dangerous road so it’s impossible, plus both parents pass the schools on route to work.

I notice at my daughters secondary school I only see 2 kids cycling to school out of 800.

Nothings impossible.

smacl

flatface wrote: »

Also choose the safest route rather than the shortest. I scooped out many routes from home to school before settling on the best

Same, checked out the best route which ended up slightly longer. Also got her to cross one of the more dodgy intersections at a pedestrian crossing rather than with traffic, where the cycle lane was on the inside of left turning traffic an she needed to go straight ahead. Once you plan the route, cycle it a few times yourself, look for the hazard spots and the best way to get through them, it should be safe enough. Things like box turns and using pedestrian crossings as needs be while a bit slower can de-risk most routes.

ridelikeaturtle

Might be no harm in getting a Cycliq camera (or similar) for them - for "incident protection".

LeChienMefiant

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Defensive cycling training
Take the lane.

Lights. Hiviz is no comparison to proper lights

Is this a thing? I'd be interested.

steamsey

Eye contact with drivers is really useful thing to do - it makes sure you've been seen and you can gauge then whether it's safe to complete your manouver. Worth making sure kids get this.

PhilOssophy

I'm a daily commuting cyclist. Just over 5k each way. My tuppence worth:
1. Stick out the arms, and make eye contact with the driver. They'll often wave you across. Contrary to some beliefs, I don't think any driver wants to kill a cyclist let alone one cycling to school.
2. Obey the rules of the road. You won't save anything cycling on the footpath, or through a pedestrian/red light.
3. Get a good set of lights, high-vis. It might not be the law (re the high-vis, but the RSA give them out for free), but its the law of common sense. A set of rechargeable USB lights costs about 20 quid. Even at dusk, they are worth having on.
4. Don't think you own the road.
5. Pick the safest route, not the shortest one.

Join them for a day or two as well, see how you all get on. Happy cycling, its a great way to get around.

Peteer

LeinsterDub wrote: »

Hi viz and helmets don't help. Tell them to take the center of the lane if there is a danger of a close pass.

Same for door zone if they travel past parked cars. Ensure they know it's ok to do this and of course ensure they don't pull in and out from behind parked vehicles suddenly. Instead move out before the obstruction and claim their place. HTH

Peteer

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Defensive cycling training
Take the lane.

Lights. Hiviz is no comparison to proper lights

I'd agree, get them permanent fitted lights and use them for all journeys day and night as good practice. Some suggestions:

https://www.bumm.de/en/products/akku-scheinwerfer/parent/163/produkt/163.html

http://en.bumm.de/products/battery-rear-lights/secula-permanent.html

There are many options out there to suit budget. Don't scrimp. Same then as someone else said a good lock is important.

Lastly some pack away rain gear and your all set.

Myself and my family we have graduated from Hi-Vis and helmets as a charade. Would pull out the REFLECTIVE hi-vis if it was extremely wet weather at night but otherwise we trust our working lights to ensure we are seen. The rest then left to the gods.

If you have to cross a roundabout practice it with them and help them to understand how to anticipate drivers and also signal if they are comfortable with that.

Stay safe!

TunaSaladBB

Deleted User wrote: »

And slow down, with hands on the brake when cycling passed parked cars. I can't tell you how many of my friends have been creamed by idiots not checking to see if there's a cyclist coming before opening their door.

Best advice here is to advise them to cycle 1.5m out from parked cars. Sadly, oncoming drivers might expect them to move in, and cross over onto their side of the road. They should know when to take evasive action, and when to hold their graound.

grazer

Well, their enthusiasm for cycling will certainly be tested this afternoon! ☔️🌧☔️🌧

sasta le

Prob wouldn’t let them myself

RobertFoster

LeChienMefiant wrote: »

Is this a thing? I'd be interested.

You could start with Cyclecraft.

grazer

sasta le wrote: »

Prob wouldn’t let them myself

I’ve been so reluctant for safety reasons, but still feel it’s a good thing and as parents we need to let teenagers get out there and test themselves.

(Drowned rat #1 has just arrived home!)

_Brian

07Lapierre wrote: »

Nothings impossible.

No, it is.
Some stretches of road as they are are impossible for a slight 11yo to cycle while carrying a heavy school bag of books. 2.5km of the 7 she would have to cycle alone.

The idea that no road is impossible for children to cycle safely is a stupid one.

grazer

And drowned rat #2 is safely home.
Both still singing the praises of cycling (even in a deluge) and cutting half an hour off their bus & walk journey.

RebelButtMunch

two sets of lights, in case one runs out of power.

eeeee

grazer wrote: »

And drowned rat #2 is safely home.
Both still singing the praises of cycling (even in a deluge) and cutting half an hour off their bus & walk journey.

:pac: :pac:
Excellent!
Delighted for you and them. If they made it through this evening they'll make it though anything.
They don't need our advice!

Now to work up the gumption to swim/cycle home myself. Forgot my paddle boat attachment this morning :pac:

magicbastarder

_Brian wrote: »

The idea that no road is impossible for children to cycle safely is a stupid one.

my niece goes to mountsackville, beside the phoenix park.
in order to cycle there, she'd have to cycle on tower road, or through the phoenix park, and during the winter, that would include either option in the dark.
it's a simple example of there not being a safe option for her.

07Lapierre

_Brian wrote: »

No, it is.
Some stretches of road as they are are impossible for a slight 11yo to cycle while carrying a heavy school bag of books. 2.5km of the 7 she would have to cycle alone.

The idea that no road is impossible for children to cycle safely is a stupid one.

Fair enough, point taken.

Would a Cycle Bus like the one they run in Galway work on your roads?
If your kids were escorted by Experienced/Adult cyclists be an option?

https://galwaycyclebus.weebly.com/

SusieBlue

Forbid them from using earphones to listen to music/podcasts while cycling, they need as few distractions as possible and full use of their hearing. Gives me the shivers when I see cyclists with them in, its so dangerous.

grazer

SusieBlue wrote: »

Forbid them from using earphones to listen to music/podcasts while cycling, they need as few distractions as possible and full use of their hearing. Gives me the shivers when I see cyclists with them in, its so dangerous.

Yes that’s a disaster as far as i’m Concerned. I need to hear cars when i’m Cycling. Told the kids they need all senses alert when cycling and earphones / buds are not an option. They nod in agreement but I hope they mean it !!

cdaly_

Peteer wrote: »

I'd agree, get them permanent fitted lights and use them for all journeys day and night as good practice. Some suggestions:

https://www.bumm.de/en/products/akku-scheinwerfer/parent/163/produkt/163.html

http://en.bumm.de/products/battery-rear-lights/secula-permanent.html

Better still, dynamo wheel and lights. Permanently powered, no flat batteries and you'll kit out the bike with super lighting for €150 or less.

Shai

grazer wrote: »

Yes that’s a disaster as far as i’m Concerned. I need to hear cars when i’m Cycling. Told the kids they need all senses alert when cycling and earphones / buds are not an option. They nod in agreement but I hope they mean it !!

Perhaps introduce them to bone-conducting headphones if you're worried they might use earphones. I use them all the time on long rides. Allows me to hear traffic and chat to people while also listening to music and podcasts.

grazer

Ah lads, you’re getting carried away with bone conducting earphones, €150 dynamo sets, etc. They’re a pair of kids cycling to school. Until they can fund their own fancy gizmos, it’ll be a pair of €10 silicon lights, hi viz & helmet!

sasta le

Cyclists using headphones is crazy

eeeee

sasta le wrote: »

Cyclists using headphones is crazy

Mod Note: There is a megathread on Headphone use. This thread is about teens cycling to school. Any further headphone discussion can head over to the dedicated thread:
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057448720

OEP

Just trust them! (Which you have evidently)

Teenagers are well able to cycle on the roads. I cycle in Dublin too and am aware it can be dangerous, but if you think about it logically (statistically), the number of accidents is very, very small. Trust that you have taught them well, we tend to molly coddle our children these days, they need to be able to do things like this on their own - that's life!

De Bhál

grazer wrote: »

Ah lads, you’re getting carried away with bone conducting earphones, €150 dynamo sets, etc. They’re a pair of kids cycling to school. Until they can fund their own fancy gizmos, it’ll be a pair of €10 silicon lights, hi viz & helmet!

Don't get cheap lights. A good back light is essential.
Trying to get kids to remember to look after them would be the problem I suppose

ted1

grazer wrote: »

Ah lads, you’re getting carried away with bone conducting earphones, €150 dynamo sets, etc. They’re a pair of kids cycling to school. Until they can fund their own fancy gizmos, it’ll be a pair of €10 silicon lights, hi viz & helmet!

I’d put a value greater than 10 euro on my kids life’s.

The benefits of Dynamos are really good. No fear if battery running out, always on, great quality light

grazer

ted1 wrote: »

I’d put a value greater than 10 euro on my kids life’s.

The benefits of Dynamos are really good. No fear if battery running out, always on, great quality light

I agree with your second sentence but your first sentence is ridiculous! Cheaper (and effective) lights on a bike do not equate to how somebody values their kids’ lives. Given that I’m hunting down a lost school jacket and a lost sailing bag at the minute, there’s a degree of pragmatism required when it comes to kids & gear.