Why School Drop-offs by Bike Are a Great Way to Start Your Day

As parents, we all know the morning routine can be a rush—a whirlwind of getting the kids ready, making sure lunches are packed, and trying to beat the clock. 

There is however one part of our morning routine we have stuck to for the 5 years our daughter has been going to school. That is cycling the ‘school run’. 

I believe that in the vast majority of cases for those who live within a short distance of a local school, it’s the perfect way to start the day. Fresh air, movement and quality time together. I often see children driven to school with air pods lodged in their ears and mobile phones occupying their time. This feels like a sad way to start the day for both parent and child. 

Here’s why cycling to school is more than just a practical choice for us—it’s become one of the highlights of our day.

Quality Time to Chat:

The school run is often the only pocket of uninterrupted time we get with our children before the hustle and bustle of the day takes over. For us, cycling offers a unique opportunity to chat without distractions. Whether it’s about a new classmate Matilda made at school, a question she’s curious about, catching up on her weekly spellings or just Dad and daughter banter, the ride is our time to connect.

When you are on the bike and navigating a quiet journey to school you’re not preoccupied by driving or the radio.  It’s a nice time I enjoy every day and never get bored of.

A Gentle Morning Boost of Nature:

There’s something magical about being outdoors first thing in the morning. The crisp air, the sound of birds, and even the changing seasons add something special to our routine. We ride in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and on the occasional days you can question your decision but you always feel better starting your day with time outside.

Studies show that being in nature can help reduce stress and improve mood. For both Matilda and me, it’s a way to start the day feeling energised and refreshed rather than stressed out by traffic and the frustrations of commuting.

Beating the School Gate Congestion:

If you’ve ever tried dropping your kids off by car, you’ll know how stressful it can be. We haven’t done this but we witness the carnage daily!

The area around the school gates is usually a gridlock of cars, horns honking, and stressed-out parents trying to find parking. By cycling, we glide past all of that with ease. We can ride straight to the school gate, lock up our bikes, and be on our way without hassle or wasted time.

Schools across the UK haven’t been designed to accommodate the level of cars so going by car typically involves parking somewhere safely and then walking to the school gate. We regularly see parents commuting from a similar direction to where we live and we always beat them to school via bike due to the sheer traffic levels. In most cases, even if they were heading off to work it would be more efficient to cycle and drive to work from home. 

Not only does this save us from frustration, but it also helps reduce the traffic congestion outside the school, making it safer for everyone.

It’s quicker!:

As mentioned above we have people in our surrounding area commuting to the same school and it’s indefinitely quicker by bike. By the time you have found a parking spot, unloaded bags and children and walked the remaining distance I have dispatched Matilda to school and I am on my way home for coffee and work.

I work from home which helps but even if I have to be somewhere I’ll take the bike, come home and grab the car. The overall school run experience is quicker on the bike if you live within a commutable distance of the school.

Health and Fitness for Everyone:

Cycling to school isn’t just great for the planet; it’s good for our health too. Both Matilda and I get a little exercise to start the day, which means she arrives at school alert and ready to learn, and I’ve got myself out of the house before the workday starts. It’s a great way to start the day with daylight; especially in the Winter months when it can be hard to motivate.

For Matilda, this early morning activity is a great way to establish healthy habits from a young age, showing her that physical activity can be fun and part of everyday life. With a growing obesity problem throughout the UK in children and adults alike we believe this is an incredibly important step people should endeavour to take.

Habit Stacking:

As mentioned in my off-road cycling for mental health post I tend to ‘Habit Stack’ and go for an extended ride occasionally after the school run. This means I can combine both my exercise and the school drop-off into one.

I am not saying this is possible for all but the UK is a largely serviced based country with the vast majority now working some of the week at home it’s something all should consider.

I can be home at 9:30 am and take a condensed lunch to make sure I work the typical working day.

Building Confidence and Independence:

One of the unexpected benefits of our morning rides is watching Matilda’s confidence grow on her bike. As we navigate different paths and roads together, she’s becoming more aware of her surroundings and more confident in her cycling skills. It’s also a great chance to teach road safety and encourage a sense of responsibility, which will be invaluable as she gets older.

From our perspective cycling is a skill everyone should have. It’s the cleanest, healthiest and least impactful mode of transportation available. Having an 8-year-old who is a confident road user while cycling is a great skill for her to take into later life.

It’s Fun!:

Despite all of the above importantly, biking to school is fun. Matilda loves the sense of freedom that comes with riding her bike, and I love seeing the joy it brings her. It turns what could be a mundane, everyday task into part of the morning routine we look forward to. And isn’t that what family life is all about—finding joy in the little things?

Summary

Cycling to school has become an essential part of our family’s morning routine. From the extra time to chat with Matilda to the ease of skipping past the morning traffic jams, it’s a habit we’ve come to love. It sets a positive, active tone for the day and gives us both a healthy dose of nature and sunlight exposure before the day begins.

From a science and health perspective, it makes complete sense but also from the efficiency side, we tend to beat those who drive and park their car.

I believe the short, medium and long-term benefits both to the adult and child (in this case myself and my daughter) are unrivalled and I would urge more to make time within their day to accommodate cycling into the school run.

Last Updated on October 8, 2024 by Ryan