Help with teaching kids how to ride a bike? Post Reply

[Muddlemoo]

Hi - I'm afraid we have been really lax in getting my 2 eldest kids to ride a bike (aged 6 & 5). My daughter is absolutely terrified. Her grandparents bought her a lovely Frog bike and she will not get on it. My son (6) is autistic so slightly more complicated although not an excuse! A few people have told me about a lady around here who can help teach the kids in a weekend how to ride the bike. I was wondering if anybody has her details. I know it's not a competition but it would be so lovely if they could! Thank you.

[teddybearsgroupSW18]

following! x

[Joeybar]

Also following.

[mims]

Having taught my dyspraxic ASD son to ride a bike I know you don't need to get anyone else to do this for you!

The easiest way is to take the pedals off and lower the seat right down so your child's feet are comfortably flat on the ground and then get them to scoot around. Once they've got the feel of how to balance, pedalling is easy so you can then add the pedals back and raise the seat again. Avoid stabilisers as these encourage children to lean to one side which makes balancing harder.

You'll need a nice flat area of tarmac - an empty car park is perfect - as it's much easier than grass to cycle on and as they won't be falling off with this method you don't need anything soft to land on!

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi MM
We've been contacted by @rjsh11 who suggests you contact @Surreywheels4All

http://www.cycling.org.uk/wfa-focus-surrey-wheels-all

I think this is their website.

Good luck

[Pedal4Health]

Hi,
I can help. I'm a National Standard cycling instructor and have taught many children to cycle for the first time and up to Level 3 on road. Dept of Transport approved, Bikeability provider, insured and police checked.
www.facebook.com/pedal4health

[Pud1]

Surely this is a lovely thing for a parent to do with their child? Take them to the park, run alongside them and let go!

[SW11_1234]

Yes, it does sound like a lovely idea for a parent. Although the poster has pointed out that there are some issues that will make it less than lovely and just wants a helping hand.

The back of the 'wobbly bridge' park in Wandsworth common has that largish football pitch area.. That would be a fairly good place to start if you can. I taught mine holding the back of the seat and balancing them and then used one of those kiddie rucksacks and held the handle at the top when they needed less balancing help.. Mine were enthusiastic learners through which made it enjoyable. I have a 2 yr old who refuses any scooting/balance biking etc so may be more reluctant so would be interested to learn any tips you happen upon.

Good luck

[Broken Dad]

MIMS above got this 110% correct follow mims.

drop saddle, ensure feet can touch ground (not just tip toes) and remove pedals. Then put pedal on after a few days/weeks.

enjoy! Backbreaking but your sense of achievement is amazing. Grandparents in our house know not to teach our kids to ride. That is my job. Anyone else does it i will kill them.

[asdfghjjkl]

Just because of circumstance, lack of storage, etc, we didn't get my youngest (of 4) on a bike until age 8.

Guess what? It took 10 minutes and she was a pro.

Whereas the oldest, who had just turned 4, needed weeks and hours of frustrated guidance, falls, tears, etc. And then she was never much of a rider, and certainly has no love of it. But the 8 year old, she wants to ride EVERYDAY to school, no matter the weather.

I know the norm these days is the balance thing and getting full fledged riders by the age of 3. My god.

You are not remiss, give yourself a break. If they want to ride, are ready and excited, it will be fine. If not, they will still have great lives, leave it alone until they do.