Céline: 'Cycling gives children a sense of freedom'

Cycling to school

Elise’s primary school and Arthur's nursery are a 10-minute cycle from home. Elise loves cycling to school and Arthur tags along on his scooter. Céline taught her daughter to cycle in small steps: first with stabilisers (training wheels), then practising the pedalling rhythm.

‘That rhythm is the hardest part, I notice. I'm seeing the same thing now with Arthur.’

Building up the courage to cycle

How long did it take before Elise felt confident enough to cycle on her own?

‘Elise found it a bit too difficult at first. After a few days we tried again, and then it just clicked! Arthur is now practising with stabilisers. The other day he lost interest for a bit. When that happens, we just wait a few days and try again.’

‘We all wear helmets’

The children always wear a helmet on the bike. Céline is used to that from her childhood. In Canada, helmets were mandatory. When she cycles with her children, she puts one on too, to set a good example.

Favourite cycling destinations and the bicycle trailer

The family's favourite cycling destinations are the swimming pool in Geulle and the De Kanjel playground and swimming pool in Jekerdal. 

‘When we go there, we hitch the fietskar (bicycle trailer) to my husband's bike or mine. With the children safe and relaxed inside, this makes it easier for us as a family to venture out a bit further on our bicycles. And the kids really enjoy it too.’

Commuting to work

Céline cycles from Borgharen to the train station in Maastricht. From there she takes the train to Liège and walks the last stretch to her work. Since her first pregnancy, she's been doing this on an e-bike.

‘I used to have no trouble cycling a regular bike, but during my first pregnancy it became harder. Since then, I've pretty much always taken the e-bike. I still do, actually, because it's just really convenient.’

In almost 16 years, she's only skipped cycling once — when it was snowing heavily and the roads were icy. That was the exception.

‘I don't let much stop me from that little bike ride!’

Why cycling suits Limburg so well

Céline finds many places in Zuid-Limburg easy to reach by bicycle. For years, the family didn't own a car, though they recently purchased an electric one.

‘Ideally, I'd live without a car altogether. However, for the children’s sports clubs, it's sometimes really handy to be able to take the car.’

Cycling gives a feeling of freedom

For Céline, cycling is a moment to herself. After work, she clears her head on the way home, riding a lovely route past fields and cherry trees. She also enjoys the ride to school. The village of Borgharen has charming streets.

‘It feels a bit like being on holiday.’

Céline notices that her children also love cycling to school.

‘On the bike, they feel free. They look around, take everything in, and enjoy the ride. Maybe we should all look through children's eyes a bit more often. There's so much to see along the way, that's what makes cycling so much fun!’

Céline's tips for other parents

• Start with short distances and build up slowly.
• An e-bike can help if the distance or the weather makes cycling more difficult.
• For short journeys, don’t just automatically jump in the car.