Balance bikes are arriving back in Beau Sejour and Saumarez Park this summer.
The BeActive team at The Health Improvement Commission (HIC) are returning balance bikes to parks for public use, making it easier and more accessible for all young children to learn to ride.
Balance bikes don’t have pedals – instead children push them forward with their feet – allowing kids as young as 18 month to practice balancing and steering safely.
Amy Woollaston, from HIC, said: “I think the best way to teach young children is to just allow them to have some fun, and they don’t really realise they’re learning, but they are.”
“It’s nice to have free activities that family can come and do in an open space where they can just whiz around and have fun.”
Alongside the bikes, the team has also repainted road markings, so children can use to develop road safety awareness while having fun.
Ms Woollaston added: “It is improving their mental health, their physical health, everything, and hopefully teaching them to cycle so that they choose active travel when they’re older.”
500 users last year
After the scheme’s success last year, the BeActive team applied for the M&S Guernsey Community Fund – a grant-based initiative dedicated to supporting local good causes.
With the grant they have been able to provide more robust bikes with bells and rear brakes, along with helmets for the children.
The bikes also have adjustable saddles which suit a range of ages up to four years old.
Greg Yeoman, Head of M&S Guernsey said: “This is such a lovely initiative. That’s what the community fund was set up for.”
“We had over well over 100 applications this year for funding. But this sort of initiative for young children is fantastic, and M&S is really proud to support it.”
Each park will have one box containing four bikes, helmets and a tally chart to record the uses inside of it.
