In my time being involved in cycling advocacy for CAN, I got to know Liz (Solveig Elisabeth) Mikkelsen, who was based on the Kāpiti Coast and provided many years of sterling service for CAN’s Exec Committee (including several years as Treasurer). Liz has now moved to the Wairarapa, although apparently she still isn’t completely retired, looking after the accounting for her son’s Wellington bike shop Bicycle Junction, and still getting out for regular rides.
While still in Ōtaki, Liz noticed that there appeared to be no children’s books about cycling to school or kids riding bikes. So she set out to write one to rectify that gap, focusing on how kids could bike to school (with illustrations by another Kāpiti Coast local, Emma Weakley). And when she was done with that, she decided to write another one, this time about family cycle touring – inspired by her own travels with her children when she was younger.
As you can see below, these books came out out a few years ago, and I’ve been rather remiss in posting about them – sorry, Liz! But they are both excellent resources if you want to inspire your young ones into getting on their bikes for short or long rides (and maybe yourselves too…).
The Cycle Train (Jul 2019)
By Liz Mikkelsen, illustrated by Emma Weakley
$17.50, The CopyPress, 28pp
The premise of this story is straightforward enough: how do you get kids to ride to school if their parents are worried about traffic dangers? When Sam gets a new bike, his mum solves the problem by setting up a concept known as the “cycle train” where a parent escorts kids collectively to school by bike. Soon, lots of kids want to join in!
This book also provides some useful guidance on how to set up your own school train. In New Zealand we already have several incarnations of cycle trains running around the country at different schools; there was also a research trial in Nelson way back in 2006.
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On Our Bikes: The Long Road South (Sep 2020)
By Liz Mikkelsen, illustrated by Emma Weakley
$23.00, The CopyPress, 38pp
(also available at various Chch libraries)
Not being able to afford to run a car can create a real problem for some people when it comes to travelling short or long distances. But it doesn’t have to mean that family trips are impossible. In this story, a Mum takes her two boys for a bike touring holiday all the way from Lower Hutt down to Christchurch (yes, that’s quite the journey…). It’s a simple, low budget exercise (and sometimes a bit tiring as well) but they have a lot of fun along the way!
This book also provides lots of practical advice about how you can take the plunge and try some cycle touring. It’s easy to forget some essentials on a long journey as well, so all sorts of items to bring are included in the story. Although these days, current advice might suggest loading things a little bit lighter and sticking to the quieter roads…
Have you read these books? What did you think?