Group activities© 2013 The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101/SC038437

Halfordsactivity pack

Group activities

Group activities

You’ll be well aware of the benefits of cycling, to the environment and to ourselves – but cycling can also be dangerous, so it’s important to ride safely and understand how to maintain a bike.

This resource has a comprehensive programme of activities which, if all are completed, will earn the Cubs their Cyclist Badge and also give them a full knowledge of the importance of bicycle safety and maintenance.

Halfords are offering in-store workshops to help Cubs earn their Cyclist Activity Badge. These workshops will include ‘Activity One’ of this resource pack as well as all of the exercises in the accompanying ‘How To’ pack (with the exception of ‘How to Clean your bike’). Book your workshop online at scouts.org.uk/Halfords.

Contents The ‘M’ check ............................................................................................ 3

Activity one: Complete the ‘M’ check for safety .................................... 4

Activity two: Be seen to be seen ............................................................. 7

Activity three: Design a poster ................................................................ 9

Activity four: Keep your bike safe ..........................................................10

Activity five: Get on your bike ................................................................12

Additional activity: The essential bike kit ..............................................14

Additional activity: Bling your bike.........................................................16

Group activities

The 'M' check

Handlebar

Brake cable

Brake lever

Brake housing

Brake pad

Spoke

Quick release lever

Tyre tread

Pedal

Chain

Seat

Rear derailleur

Crank

Fork

Tyre

Frame

Handlebar headset

Activity 1 - Complete the 'M' check for safety

45 minutes

�Page 5 of this resource, copied and given to each Cub. This has on it a detailed image of the bicycle.

�Highlighters and rulers

�A whiteboard and pen, or easily visible alternative

Part of requirement sixUnderstand the need for keeping the bicycle in a roadworthy condition, and how to do this.

Time

Cyclist badge earner

Equipment �Page 3 of this resource, copied and given to each Cub at the end of the session to take home.

IntroductionThe ‘M’ Check is a complete bicycle safety check which, with practice, takes only three or four minutes and should be done on a regular basis to make sure a bike is roadworthy and safe. The Cubs will start the check with the back wheel of their bicycle, go up to the saddle, back down the frame to the pedals and chain, up to the handlebars and back down to the front wheel, forming a capital ‘M’ shape.

Practical set-up Draw, as best as you can, a bicycle on the whiteboard that everybody can see. Give them each a copy of page 5 of this resource, a highlighter and a ruler. This activity could be done in groups if your pack is large, or as a whole.

The activityExplain that you are checking their bikes for safety and roadworthiness and that there is a simple check they can do called the ‘M’ check. Ask them if they have any idea what it means, and if they don’t, get them to call out what parts of a bicycle they think should be checked before they go out on a ride – what’s important to keep it working and in good condition?

Write their answers down on the board and keep going until they have managed to come up with all the crucial parts, going through what exactly should be checked for on each part, e.g. on the wheels whether the brakes work.

Mark each correct answer called out by your Cubs (listed below) and when all five have been named, join the dots so that they can see the ‘M’ check materialise.:1. Front wheel2. Handlebar3. Pedals and chain

For each part, make sure they know what it is they are checking: �Wheels – spokes, brakes and tyres;

�Saddle - right height and angle;

�Pedals and chain – not too loose or too tight, operate smoothly, chain – attached, clean and secure;

�Handlebars – right height, straight and not loose.

Now ask them to draw the ‘M’ on their own handouts with the highlighter pen and complete the table listing all parts of the bike that they should be checking.

ConclusionSpend the last ten minutes asking the Cubs if there is anything else that they need to check before riding.

4. Saddle5. Backwheel

Group activities

The 'M' check

Group activities

1. Back wheel

. Saddle

. Pedals and chain

. Handlebars

. Front wheel

Group activities

Activity - Be seen to be safe

60 – 90 minutes

�Reflective vests, or reflective strips of paper to stick on clothing

�Various dark and light shirts

�Bicycle reflectors

Part of requirement fiveDiscuss with your Leader or other Cub Scouts the safety measures necessary for riding in poor conditions.

Part of Requirement sixUnderstand the need for lights and reflective clothing.

Time

Cyclist badge earner

Equipment

Practical set-up You need to be able to make your HQ as dark as possible; or if it’s dark outside and there is a safe area for this activity, go outside. Use the sunglasses to help heighten the sense of darkness.

If your pack is quite big and there is enough space, split them into two halves and take it in turns to do the activity.

If you don’t have actual reflective vests, stick some of the fluorescent paper onto some of the clothing.

The activityGive half of the group (Group A) the torches and ask them to stand at one end of the area or room with their backs to the others (Group B). Put Group B at the other end and allocate the different clothing to them so that some are wearing dark clothes, some light and some reflective.

If you’re outside, make sure Group B is dressed and far enough away from Group A, and begin. If you’re inside, turn off the lights. Get Group A to turn round and see if they can identify any of the Cubs in Group B. Ask them to switch on their torches and shine them at Group B, being careful not to shine directly into their eyes. Which of them can they see better? Why do they think this is?

Get Group B to take a step towards Group A. Ask them to keep taking steps nearer until their counterparts can see them clearly – and get Group A to notice how much further away they can see those with reflective clothing than those with dark clothing. Switch the groups around.

�Bicycle lights

�Torches

�A long tape measure

�Sunglasses

IntroductionThis activity shows the Cubs how visible they are with reflective clothing and clean reflectors and lights on their bicycles. Halfords stocks the full range of safety clothing and attachments for bikes.

Group activities

You can do the same thing with the cycle lights and reflectors, rubbing them in dirt for one experiment, then cleaning it off for the next. The Cubs can then choose to hold up dirty or clean ones and Group A can say when they spot the reflectors coming towards them as they shine their torches on them.

ConclusionFinish twenty minutes before the end of the session so that you can all talk about what they have discovered. Ask them if it’s only when it’s dark that they should be wearing reflective clothing and have clean lights, and

guide them to thinking about rainy or foggy conditions, and even worse, snow and ice. Then expand upon the other measures that they should take to be safe then – to ride more slowly; brake earlier if it’s wet because it can take longer to stop; make turns very gently and without speed; and at all costs avoid black ice.

Group activities

Activity - Design a safety poster

45 minutes

�Either pens or paints

� Lots of paper – the bigger the poster, the better

�Pencils and paper for making notes

Time

Equipment �Something to stick posters on the walls with

IntroductionWhy not award a prize for the best, most informative poster and then stick all the entries up around HQ to brighten it up. Get the Cubs to work in groups of three or four and come up with the most original ideas they can think of, in the most colourful and interesting way.

Part of requirement fourMake a poster to promote road safety to pedestrians or cyclists.

Cyclist badge earnerPractical set-up Ask the Cubs to get themselves into groups of three or four. First give them some note paper and pencils.

The activityRemind them of what they’ve done so far with their reflective clothing, lights and helmets, and about the fact that there could be times when they’re out on the road and it starts raining or gets dark.

When they’ve had twenty minutes or so to jot down what they want to put in, and made a small sketch of how they want their poster to look, distribute the pens or paints and the poster paper.

ConclusionTwenty minutes before the end of the session, get each group in turn to hold up their poster and describe it to the rest of the pack. When they’ve finished explaining it, stick it on the wall. When all the posters have been stuck on the wall, have a vote for the best one.

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Activity - Keep your bike safe

A full session

�At least two locks, preferably four or five different kinds

�A white board

Time

Equipment

�Top Tips for Security handout

IntroductionThe better the lock, the better the deterrent against thieves – and simple measures like knowing where to lock your bike all add to bike security. Halfords recommend having at least two locks, and they stock all kinds.

Part of requirement threeUnderstand the need for keeping a bicycle locked when leaving it unattended.

Cyclist badge earnerPractical set-up Print off the Top tips for security on the next page and hand it out to each Cub. Choose five Cubs (depending on how many locks you have) and give them a lock each.

The activityAsk the Cubs to whom you have given the locks to look at them and pass them round the room for everyone to see. At the same time, go through the handout with the pack. Ask them for comments, or if they can come up with any other safety ideas. Ask them if they know anyone who has ever had their bike stolen, and if they know how – ie. was it properly locked, or left in a silly place.

Then see if they all know how the locks work, and if they don’t, demonstrate using our top tips as a guide. This should take no more than half the session.

If you have enough time left, round up the Cubs and take them on a ‘Lock Safari’: an outing from the HQ just in the local area. Ask them to identify the safest places to leave their bikes, and how they would lock them up (e.g. what they will lock them to, which parts of the bike they will lock up).

ConclusionRefer them to page 5 of their Puzzle books, where there is a puzzle about locking up their bikes (this to be included).

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incorrect

Correct

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Activity - Get on a bike

60 minutes

�Either a bike each if you have the space, or a few bikes to share between groups of four or five

Time

Equipment

�A few small cones

IntroductionTo help your Cubs fulfill both requirements, you’re going to have to arrange a time and place where they can bring their bikes, or perhaps one brings a bike to share between a group of four (each group will have to have children of similar heights within it). This should be done with Cubs who have already started learning to ride a bike. For those who can’t yet ride a bike, it might be necessary to ask them to bring bikes with training wheels.

You also need to make sure you are fully aware of the correct techniques for mounting, dismounting and riding a bicycle.

Two parts of requirement sixBe able to mount and dismount properly

Under observation, in a safe place, got for a short ride to show that you can ride safely and confidently

Cyclist badge earnerPractical set-up You must make sure you have a safe place to do this in – for example an empty car park or a field.

This activity assumes enough Cubs have brought in bikes to allow one per group of four, so make sure each group has children of similar heights in it. You can make this fun by getting the pack to go and stand next to Cubs they think they are a similar height to, and then split them into groups according to size.

If some of the Cubs can already ride a bike, set out a small course with cones for them to ride around.

The activityExplain and demonstrate the following steps, then get the Cubs to take it in turns within their groups to do the same.

Step 1: MountingMake sure the Cubs know that they should always stand to the left of the bike when wheeling it to avoid hitting their legs with the drive train, the chain, gears and cogs, which are on the right. They should mount and dismount from this side, no matter whether they are left or right handed (unless there’s a ditch or something on the right, of course).

Holding the handlebars with both hands, they should stand firmly on their left foot and straddle the bike by swinging their right leg over the saddle, or stepping over the cross bar if it’s a step-through bike, then straddle the cross bar in front of the saddle with both feet on the ground.

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RememberCubs also need to be aware of the dangers posed by loose clothing when cycling. Whether it’s untied shoelaces or a flowing skirt, anything that could get caught in the wheel is very dangerous and could cause injury. Wear straight legged trousers or tights when cycling in order to minimise this risk.

ConclusionThe Cubs don’t have to be Tour de France riders by the end of this activity, but they should be ready to get on and off their bike safely, as well as ride it.

Step : Setting offWith their strongest foot (depending on whether they are left or right footed) on the highest pedal and the other foot on the ground, the Cubs should sit on the saddle and look straight ahead with straight arms and both hands on the handlebars. Keeping this strong posture they then push down on the pedal with their highest foot and as they move off, put the other foot on the pedal and continue the momentum.

If they can ride around your cone course, all the better – but don’t make this the object of the activity, they only need to be able to ride confidently and without falling off.

Step : DismountingWhen the Cubs come to a standstill they should prop themselves up with their left foot and dismount the same way they mounted – to the left of the bike.

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Additional activity - The essential bike kit

IntroductionThere are many different tool kits for bicycles available, with Halfords stocking a huge range. At this stage it’s probably not necessary to have every size spanner in the box, but there are a few essentials that any keen cyclist shouldn’t be without, for example a full puncture repair kit. For general maintenance, cleaning and oiling, it’s important the Cubs have the lubricants and degreasers they need – and in this activity the Cubs will explore what they need when carrying out the ‘M’ check.

For this activity you’ll need to get a lot of tools together, or if you can’t get the actual items, print off pictures of them. There are many available on the Halfords website.

The full session

Our suggestion is for the following tools, or pictures of them:

Time

Equipment

�*Adhesive

�*Rubber patches

�*Tyre levers

�*Sandpaper

�*Cycle spanner

�*Chalk

�*Pump

�*Tyre pressure gauge

�+Bucket of water

�+Degreaser

�+Lubricant

�+Soft brush

�+Rag

�%Brake pads

�%Spanner

�Set of Allen keys

�A set of adjustable spanners

�Three empty boxes (shoe boxes, for example)

�Paper for notes

�Pens

* Needed in the puncture repair kit (Scenario one)

+ Needed for cleaning and oiling (Scenario two)

% Needed for mending brakes (Scenario three)

Equipment continued

Practical set-upLay all the equipment, or pictures, on a table in the middle of the room. Split the pack up into three groups and give each group an empty cardboard box.

The activityThe Cubs are going to fill their toolbox with the tools and equipment they need to solve the problem scenario you are going to give them. First you should go through what tools you have on the table, and ask them to say if they know what they are for.

Split the pack into three groups and give them each an empty box, a piece of paper, a pen and one of the scenarios below. You can write these up on the whiteboard, or on a piece of paper to give to each group. Ask them to choose the tools they would need in the event of that happening to their bike, and write down the tools they put in their box for that scenario.

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When each group has completed their tool box for that scenario, ask them to empty out their ‘tool boxes’ back on to the table, and do the same for another scenario until eventually each group has done all three.

Scenario onePuncture by the road

Scenario twoJust come back from an extremely muddy ride

Scenario threeBrakes aren’t working

ConclusionWhen the groups have emptied their boxes for the third time, get the pack together to compare what they have written down for each scenario, making sure they understand which tools and equipment they had listed for each problem, and why?

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Additional activity - Bling your bike

IntroductionYou and your Cubs have worked very hard on knowing how to maintain bicycles and keep them safe and secure. Now it’s time to indulge their creative side and decorate their bikes.

The safety of the Cubs should not be compromised, so try and make sure that nothing gets jammed into moving parts, dangle into the spokes or affects visibility, both of and for the Cubs.

You need to mention this activity the week before you do it, and ask the Cubs to collect crafts, decoration and general ‘bling’ for their bike. Also ask them to bring in a photo of their bike (before it’s been blinged) for next week’s session.

Bikes & Bling: There is a ton of stuff available that is specially made to bling bikes; handlebar plugs, funky dustcaps, even special ‘jewels’ to stick on cogs. However there’s plenty of easy alternatives:

The full session

Time

Equipment

�Brightly coloured sticky paper and card

�Scissors

�Cable ties

�Scraps of material

�Coloured pens and paints

�Pipe cleaners and ribbons

�Sticky tape

Practical set-up Depending on how many bikes you have, split the pack into groups so that there is one bike per group. Give them a table each and ask them to put their ‘bling’ bits on the table, and the photos of their unblinged bikes.

The activityThere’s not much to it – just get creative.

Safety Tips �Be careful with glue. Sticking moving parts together could be very dangerous, and as always, keep away form eyes, noses and mouths.

�Don’t cut brake cables

�Make sure there’s nothing dangling in the spokes, chain brake pads and wheel rim. Nothing should obstruct smooth, safe riding.

ConclusionAt next week’s session, stick the ‘before and after’ photos on the HQ wall and get the Cubs to vote for the best blinged bike.

You should prepare some prizes to bring in the following week.

Email a photo of the best bike to emma.thomas@halfords.co.uk, giving permission for it to be used in future material.