18.05.12

IN THE 2009/2010 academic year, there was an increase from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in pupils cycling regularly to school, and more than double the number cycling every day to nine per cent, according to the Sustrans charity.

Its Free Range Kids report also found that over a third of parents surveyed thought their children were more physically active, 30 per cent that they were healthier, and 14 per cent that they themselves were more physically active since their child began cycling to school.

Now, toy retailers are obviously not bike specialists, but with the Government obesity warnings and get active campaigns in the press driving purchases of bikes for all age groups, there are ways in which they can benefit.

“Any manufacturer or retailer of wheeled toys could get involved with the Bike Hub,” explains Carlton Reid, editor of BikeHub.co.uk and executive editor of ToyNews sister title, Bikebiz. “It is a levy scheme; a joint initiative of the Bicycle Association and the Association of Cycle Traders. The objective is to generate funds from within the cycle industry to support the future of cycling in the UK.

Source: Toy News