summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
bonj said:
Technically it isn't walking but scooting - at times they may have both feet off the ground at the same time - can't do that when walking
teaching kids to ride
- Thread starter cyclenic
- Start date
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Technically it isn't walking but scooting - at times they may have both feet off the ground at the same time - can't do that when walking
summerdays said:at times they may have both feet off the ground at the same time - can't do that when walking
thats called 'Falling'...
My son tried without stabilisers, just stuck his elbow pads from his skateboard and helmet on and kept pushing im so he got some speed up... There were lots of crashes and some tantrums but one day he just went out in the garden on his own, looked out the window and he had cracked it and was riding round.
I may try the isla bike with my youngest though. he is 3 in august, what age are those for?
sticky sherbert
Well-Known Member
- Location
- here
My son is 5, and has been a hopeless case on a bike from the off, never had the confidence to pedal above a slow walking pace and in mortal fear of falling off. I thought he would have stabalisers on into his teens. After reading this thread last night we took off the pedals and stabalisers today, within 20 mins he was scooting allong with no worries and has decided tonight he wants his pedals back on so he could go faster.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Good to hear it... tell us how it goes when he tries with pedals
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Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
sticky sherbert said:
Excellent!
I can't wait for Oli to be old enough. Ideally, I'd like to get him an Islabike, but the budget is tight. Anyone got any idea how the (slightly cheaper) Ridgeback Scoot compares in terms of weight (and brake lever size)? I know there are cheaper lookalikes out there too, and second hand might be the way to go... I gather the plan is for him to have a sibling at some stage, so it'll probably get handed down...
PashleyPrincess
Well-Known Member
Just got the little 'un cycling this weekend after taking the pedals off. I can't tell you the tantrums and tears we've had about taking the stabilisers off in recent years (she's 8 now). We'd all but given up on her ever riding . But after reading on here that taking the pedals off is the way to go I thought we'd give it a try. So yesterday we had: scooting about - no pedals but balancing down hill at speed (on grass). Today: pedals on and riding 
. How easy was that? Thanks you lot
. But after reading on here that taking the pedals off is the way to go I thought we'd give it a try. So yesterday we had: scooting about - no pedals but balancing down hill at speed (on grass). Today: pedals on and riding . How easy was that? Thanks you lot 
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
I've had enough of this. The only real way to teach a kid balance is to tie them to the biggest bike in the garage, and push them down a steep slope. They soon learn that it hurts a lot less if they do it properly. Save telling them about the brakes until lesson two. That way they learn to steer round obstacles instead of hitting them.
Sorry, must go, there's a social worker knocking on the door......
Sorry, must go, there's a social worker knocking on the door......
Cubist said:I've had enough of this. The only real way to teach a kid balance is to tie them to the biggest bike in the garage, and push them down a steep slope. They soon learn that it hurts a lot less if they do it properly. Save telling them about the brakes until lesson two. That way they learn to steer round obstacles instead of hitting them.
Sorry, must go, there's a social worker knocking on the door......
Didn't you post earlier in the year about cubist jnr having a bit of an bad crash on the way to school and her needing stitches?
Can you teach my youngest to ride? ha ha
Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
We bought a small BMX-style bike, set the eat low and removed the pedals. After scooting around on it for months we just stuck the pedals on and within minutes they were away. That bike was used for years.
The idea of buy a specific bike which has no drive train just for learning on is frankly ridiculous and in my opinion suggests that he buyer has more money than sense. Any small bike with the pedals removed will do.
The idea of buy a specific bike which has no drive train just for learning on is frankly ridiculous and in my opinion suggests that he buyer has more money than sense. Any small bike with the pedals removed will do.
Aye, that is a bit harsh Mr Pig. My two year old was not big enough for any decent pedal bikes. As well as that, the scoot bike was much lighter, not having cranks, chain brakes etc. It was a good investment for us, because just as he outgrew it he was ready to get on the pedal bike at 3.5. Our youngest will hopefull follow in his footsteps soon.
To suggest that this is wasted money is wrong, especially when you consider what some people waste money on, for their kids....
To suggest that this is wasted money is wrong, especially when you consider what some people waste money on, for their kids....
Mr Pig
New Member
- Location
- North Lanarkshire
magnatom said:
I totally agree with the second part. My pet hate is those daft electric cars!
If a child is physically too small to ride any kind of pedal bike then why bother? They can play on trikes and other sit-ons until they're a bit bigger. My gripe is that the Isla scooty bike is quite expensive for a sit-n-ride toy which will have a very short useful life. Sure, it's a nice bit of kit but it's just not needed.
Mr Pig said:
it's a complete money spinner, that's all it is.
Anything that's got a built-in limited lifetime is always going to increase a company's bottom line. The limited lifetime being that when the kid learns to balance they want to be able to learn to pedal, rendering the drive-less bike redundant.
It's probably a really nice bike and great for kids to learn on, but i'd question how much better itis than a normal bike with the pedals removed.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I don't think its any different than duplo vs lego. Adults see it as a progression from one to the other ... kids see it as 2 different toys. Just because a 3 year old can scoot they wouldn't immediately have to ditch the scooting bike.
That said I mostly suggest that folks get rid of the pedals as they usually already have a bike passed down from other siblings or friends.
That said I mostly suggest that folks get rid of the pedals as they usually already have a bike passed down from other siblings or friends.
summerdays said:
I do agree but the cost is a little higher than a 9.99 box of duplo from asda. the isla bikes are very pricey. In general I find it a bit puzzling why people by their 2-4 year olds bikes that are over £100 my brother spent £130 on his sons specialized! I only just spent that on my 8 year olds 3rd bike (a carrera MTB).
