FAMILIES are using pedal power to navigate the city.

As children return to the classroom – and while Brighton and Hove experiences an increase in virus numbers –parents and carers are trading four wheels for two.

Schemes have been introduced in a bid to facilitate travelling by bicycle.

The School Streets programme, which closes roads outside the school gates, started this month and has been widely praised by parents.

However, cycling lanes on the seafront road and Old Shoreham Road have proven controversial, with many calling for their removal.

Amid the uproar, the Labour Group of councillors who introduced the schemes have called for an immediate halt to their expansion to make sure adequate consultation is conducted.

As the showdown over their future rumbles on, families have shared their positive experiences behind the handlebars.

Mark and Theo Smith have just started cycling to West Hove Infants together.

Mark said: “We often walk to school, but now Theo’s getting bigger, he can come on his own bike.

“We’ve tried out the new cycle lane on Kingsway – now that it’s wider, it’s a lot safer.

“Theo’s only six, so safety is important.

“The School Streets are brilliant as the air is much cleaner around the school, kids can play freely in the street and you don’t have to watch your back all the time.

“We should have them around every school.”

Melanie Dsouza takes her daughter Artemis to school in Hove from their home in east Brighton on a tandem.

Melanie said: “Cycling makes the school run fun.

“Artemis is usually pretty quiet, but when she’s on the tandem, she interacts much more with others.

“Our journey takes us along Madeira Drive and the seafront and up Grand Avenue, so we’re on protected lanes for much of the way, which makes us feel safe.

“I cover 24km a day, and I’ve had an electric motor fitted, so the journey’s much easier.”

Elisha James set up the Family Cycling Brighton Facebook group to encourage families to cycle together, so more people will see the roads as welcoming.

She said: “When I’m with my children, our favourite way to get around town is cycling.

“My two-year-old son Elliot loves being on the bike seat, and his eight-year-old brother is starting to show an interest in riding on the road.

“His school recently took part in the ‘Bike-It’ scheme, run by the council and Sustrans, where pupils got to do lots of fun things on bikes, and he loved it.

“Last month, we had a group ride, and it was great to cycle by the sea with other families. More families on bikes means fewer short car journeys and a happier city for everyone.”

Mark Hedger runs Brighton Beach Bikes, by the pier.

He said: “This year, we’ve had a lot more families wanting to hire bikes.

“It’s a Covid-proof, fun activity that brings people together. Sometimes you get people who have bikes but want to hire a trailer as they live in flats and don’t have much storage space.

“The other day, we had a three-year old girl who loved riding in the trailer so much, she didn’t want to get out. She said it was relaxing – I didn’t think three-year-olds did relaxing. Madeira Drive and the Undercliff are a godsend for families – you can ride safely, all the way along.”

Roland Tomlinson cycles because it’s “fun, good for exercise and more convenient”.

“I take the kids to school and go to work on our cargo bike,” Roland said. “The kids love it, The cargo bike is great because it can take a whole trolley load of shopping, and I can pick up stuff I’ve bought online. My wife drives to work as she has lots of heavy equipment. We’ve got a new baby, who we’ll be able to take on the bike once we’ve got a seat adapter. We need properly joined-up cycle lanes to make life easier and safer. The Aquarium Roundabout is particularly bad.”

Stu Langride and his daughter Rose made a plan at the start of the year to cycle a mile a day. Stu said: “I prefer not to use the car for short journeys.”