Fox Cycling - Swindon

10/10/2026

🚲 Choosing Your Child’s First Pedal Bike: Simple Tips for Parents

When your child is ready to start pedalling, the right bike makes all the difference. Here’s what really matters:

Don’t buy a pedal bike until they can already cycle. Once they’re pedalling, they can try different sizes and choose the bike that genuinely fits them - instead of guessing and buying too soon.

Choose a lightweight, child‑specific bike. A lighter bike is easier to control, steer and lift. Child‑specific bikes are designed for smaller bodies, making riding safer, smoother and far more enjoyable.

Check the fit: balls of the feet on the ground + easy reach to the handlebars. Your child should be able to place the balls of their feet on the ground and reach the handlebars comfortably. This gives them confidence, stability and proper control from the very first ride.

Don’t buy a bike “to grow into”. A bike that is too big is incredibly off-putting for the child and will usually just collect dust.

At Fox Cycling, we help children learn to cycle before choosing a bike — so they can find the perfect size and feel great riding it.

If you want some help getting your child cycling, find out more about our CycleKids sessions:

https://foxcycling.co.uk/cyclekids-bike-lessons-for-kids/

If your child is already cycling, and you’d like help choosing their next bike, why not book a free Bike Sizing:

https://foxcycling.co.uk/bike-sizing/

08/10/2026

🚲𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀)

Don't make the same mistakes I made (and a lot of parents make)

Teaching your child to ride a bike shouldn't end in tears, bribery or anyone needing a lie-down! 😥


𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟭 - 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀.

Always start the process with a balance bike - no matter your child's age.

Once children can:
🚲Travel a distance with both feet off the floor
🚲Steer confidently
🚲Glide in a straight line 𝙖𝙣𝙙 around corners
..𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 introduce pedals.



Tip 2 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 🚲

📢DON'T "buy big so they grow into it"

A bike that's too heavy or too large:
- kills confidence
- makes control harder
- increases fear of falling

Instead, choose a 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄.



Tip 3 - If it's getting stressful... 𝗽𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲. 🛑

Children learn best when they’re relaxed. Short, playful sessions beat long, stressful ones every time. Celebrate tiny wins, keep the mood light, and let them progress at their own pace.



Tip 4 - Teaching your own child can be surprisingly tricky — emotions run high on both sides. A professional coach brings calm, structure and proven techniques that make learning smoother and more enjoyable.



Tip 5 - Every child is different. One‑to‑one coaching means personalised guidance, quick progress and a huge confidence boost. Many children learn to cycle in just one hour with focused, individual support.

06/10/2026

🚲 Choosing the Right Balance Bike: What Really Matters

Not all balance bikes are created equal - and the right one can make a huge difference to your child’s confidence, comfort and progress. Here’s what to look for when you’re choosing a balance bike for your little rider:

⭐ 1. Lightweight Frame

A good balance bike should be light enough for your child to lift, push and steer easily. If it’s too heavy, they’ll struggle to control it — and that can knock their confidence before they even start. Lightweight bikes help children glide sooner and enjoy the feeling of independence.

⭐ 2. Proper Rubber Tyres (Not Plastic)

Rubber tyres give:

better grip

smoother riding

more stability

safer stopping

Plastic tyres can slip, skid and feel wobbly, especially outdoors. Rubber tyres make learning feel easier and far more enjoyable.

⭐ 3. The Right Size (The Knee Bend Matters!)

This is the big one. Your child should be able to:

sit on the saddle

place both feet flat on the ground

have a good bend in the knee

That bend is crucial. It gives them the power to push off, glide and control their speed. If the bike is too big, they’ll tiptoe and wobble. Too small, and they won’t get enough movement.

Choosing the right balance bike sets your child up for confidence, independence and a smooth transition to pedalling. At Fox Cycling, we only use and recommend bikes that help children feel safe, capable and excited to ride.

04/10/2026

🚲💥 Spaces Available!💥🚲

Come and give it a try with your little one! Games and challenges on balance bikes to help kids develop all the amazing core skills they need to learn to cycle when they're older 🎉

👉🏼 Sign up for 3 CycleTots tasters for just £20 👈🏼

www.foxcycling.co.uk/cycletots-balance-bike-classes/

02/10/2026

🌱 Kids Grow Fast — Their Bikes Should Too

If you’ve ever bought a bike only to realise your child has outgrown it six months later… you’re not alone. Little legs get longer, confidence grows, and suddenly the “perfect size” bike is anything but.

That’s where Pedal Plan comes in.

Instead of guessing sizes, storing outgrown bikes, or buying new ones every year, Pedal Plan lets your child move up a size whenever they’re ready. No hassle. No waste.

It means:

a bike that always fits

a bike that’s always lightweight and easy to ride

a bike that grows with your child, not against them

Because when children have the right bike, they ride more, learn faster, and feel proud of what they can do.

Let them grow. Let the bike grow with them.

Book a Bike Sizing:

https://foxcycling.co.uk/bike-sizing/

02/10/2026

⚠️ BEWARE! ⚠️ Some kids bikes are akin to trying to run a race in wooden clogs....

Heavy, clunky bikes can be soooo hard to ride. Their weight and their geometry can cause kids to just give up cos it's just not fun! 😩

But.....

Lightweight bikes, designed to have the child leaning a little into the handlebars, are EASY and FUN to ride 🤩 🚲

👉🏼 Want a FANTASTIC bike for your child? Book a free bike sizing slot with Fox Cycling and we'll find the perfect bike for your child.

And (even better) you can get it on subscription to make it super affordable!

30/09/2026

Learning to cycle doesn’t have to be scary 🚲✨

Amelie and William explain it perfectly… with CycleKids, learning to ride can actually be fun!

Our 1:1 sessions help children learn in a way that feels easy, relaxed and encouraging. No pressure, no stress — just the right support to help them feel brave and confident on their bike.

Before they know it, they’re riding! 🙌

👉🏼 Book a 1:1 CycleKids session today: www.foxcycling.co.uk/cyclekids-bike-lessons-for-kids/

🚲

29/09/2026

🚴‍♂️ Ready to see your child ride confidently?

Most kids cycle on their own in under an hour—no stress, no tears, no backache for you.
✅ One-to-one support
✅ Fun, pressure-free learning
✅ Unlimited sessions until they ride—at no extra cost

📅 Book today at foxcycling.co.uk and enjoy that proud first-pedal moment!

Learn to cycle with our children's cycling lessons on balance bikes and pedal bikes. Founded in 2010 we've taught thousands of children to ride a bike.

28/09/2026

HELMET FAILS!! 🤣

Too big so it moves.
Too small so it perches.
Too low down so the child can't see.
Too high up so the forehead is exposed.
Strap too loose so it rises over the chin.
Strap too tight so it's uncomfortable
Over the face - just wrong!!

Want a decent helmet fitting? Come and see us! Our cycling experts can fit your child's helmet so that it's a snug fit with the ratchet done up, sits nicely on the brow, strap comfortable but not riding over the chin.

DM us or comment below to find out more.

26/09/2026

🚲✨ Why do little riders love CycleTots so much?

Because it's packed with fun!

Children build confidence, balance and coordination.

And the best part? They’re having so much fun, they don’t even realise they’re learning 💛

If you're looking for an activity that develops skills and leaves your child smiling from ear to ear, come and give CycleTots a try!

✨ 3 taster sessions for just £20 ✨

www.foxcycling.co.uk/cycletots-balance-bike-classes/

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