Passing it on.

tailwindhome
tailwindhome Posts: 19,395
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
Just wanted to share a top tip, maybe not the right forum but I'm sure you guys will appreciate it

Taught my daughter to ride this week, using a method picked up from another forum.

Remove both the stabilisers and the pedals from the bike. The child will then move the bike with their feets in a push along action, instinctively learning to balance the bike in motion and gain confidence. After a couple of days put the pedals back on. On a slight downslope the child should be able to get going using the pedalling action and retaining the feel for the balance of the bike.

It works like a wee miracle and beats the old 'promise you're still holding on Daddy' method.

Be sure to pass it on.


I maybe 'had something in my eye' when she first rode off on her own
“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!

Comments

  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Cool.

    I'd just try shouting. :wink::lol:
  • doog442
    doog442 Posts: 370
    my method worked ok with my 3

    take off stabilisers.

    launch kid.

    run behind kid with hand on saddle

    take hand off saddle

    kids wobbles

    kid falls off :lol:

    traditional is best :wink:..and its character building :twisted:
  • Agent57
    Agent57 Posts: 2,300
    I taught my daughter using stabilisers and holding. My son I used the hobby-horse method you describe, Wheezy. The hobby-horse method was a lot faster, and he had more confidence once he was pedalling unassisted.
    MTB commuter / 531c commuter / CR1 Team 2009 / RockHopper Pro Disc / 10 mile PB: 25:52 (Jun 2014)
  • tardington
    tardington Posts: 1,379
    I broke my stabilisers off going over a jump. 8)

    My older brother got into trouble for that one.
  • NGale
    NGale Posts: 1,866
    My father and brother taught me to cycle the hard way....take off my stablisers, push and watch me fall off.

    It explains so much in my life :lol:
    Officers don't run, it's undignified and panics the men
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    I had the traditional method used on me...

    on a hill. Elder brothers plonked me on bike and pushed.

    The next conversation is legend in our family.

    "How do I stop?????"
    "Use the brakes!!!"
    "What are the brakes????!!!???"

    There was this stationary Jag.

    There was a crunch

    There was a stationary Jag with a me shaped dent in the boot.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter