15/09/2026
BACK TO SCHOOL, OXFORD… REALLY?
It’s that time of year again. The school run is back, and Oxford’s roads and pavements are about to become even busier.
Swarms of children on bikes.
Riding on pavements.
Riding through red lights.
And, all too often, no helmets.
Really? Yes, really.
Oxford already has congested roads, seemingly made even more challenging by the ever-growing number of rules, restrictions and changes to how we use them.
And yet, every morning and afternoon, children are cycling alongside busy traffic — sometimes on the road, sometimes on the pavement — with no head protection.
Now, let's be clear: wearing a cycle helmet is not mandatory in the UK.
But does legal necessarily mean safe?
A helmet can't prevent every cycling injury, but it can help protect your head if you fall or are involved in a collision. And when you're a parent watching your child cycle through increasingly busy traffic, isn't that worth thinking about?
Where does the responsibility lie when it comes to your child wearing a helmet?
Is it the child's choice?
Is it the parent's responsibility?
Or is it simply something we should be encouraging our children to do every time they get on their bike?
Back to school is a great time for a conversation about cycling safely.
Check the bike. Check the brakes. Check the lights. Make sure the tyres are properly inflated. And most importantly, talk to your children about how to ride safely around traffic and other road users.
Because getting to school safely should always be the first priority.
Giant Oxford — helping you and your family ride safely.
P.S. This is only my opinion ........
