The BICYCLE study has been featured in national TV, radio and news outlets, highlighting our research into the impact of lockdowns on child development. In this section you will find details of some media coverage relating to the BICYCLE study involving members of our research team.
To mark the 5th anniversary of the Covid lockdowns the BBC ran a number of special programmes looking at the effects on children and young people:
“Lockdown Babies”
BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, 17th March 2025
BICYCLE study co-lead Professor Nikki Botting joined a Woman’s hour panel discussing the effect of lockdowns on young children. The panel also includes Jane Harris, CEO of Speech and Language UK, and mum of three, Frankie Eshun.
“How did lockdown impact children?”
BBC Radio 4, More or Less, 17th March 2025
The radio programme looks at the data on the effect of lockdown on children and young people 5 years on from the pandemic.
The children who were born during the Covid lockdowns started school in September 2024. A number of news outlets ran coverage of this milestone:
“My Covid baby starts school tomorrow – I still mourn his lost childhood”
The i Paper, 3rd September 2025
An article by a parent sharing their experience of giving birth during lockdown and their child starting primary school.
“The pandemic babies starting school”
BBC News Channel (You Tube), 1st September 2025
BBC news report about the children born during the pandemic starting school. Features interviews with Professor Lucy Henry (BICYCLE study co-lead) and Professor Catherine Davies (University of Leeds).
“How did the pandemic impact babies starting school as children now?”
BBC News website, 1st September 2024
News article describing the experience of families and teachers with children starting school in September 2024.
“The pandemic babies starting school”
BBC Sounds 5 Minutes On, 1st September 2024
BBC Sounds audio clip looking at the experience of families and teachers with children starting school in September 2024.
The City St George’s media team covered the launch of the BICYCLE study including the launch event held at the university in July 2024:
“Assessing the impact of lockdowns on children’s language and cognitive skills“
City St George’s, 3rd September 2024
News article introducing the purpose and aims of the BICYCLE study.
“City St George’s hosts BICYCLE study launch“
City St George’s, 29th July 2024
News article covering the BICYCLE study launch event in July 2024.
