Submitted by: Salli Murphy
A few years ago, I read an advert about a children’s bike and I was really intrigued. It sounded so good, I wished it had been around when I was learning to ride a bike. I well remember my poor father, running along, holding me up on my first two-wheeled bike. It seemed to take just ages and I became discouraged more than once.
I was recently reminded of these memories when we moved to a cul-de-sac in our little German town and found that here, along by the river,is the bicycle training ground for many of the town’s little children.
I was totally amazed to see these little dots, mostly under two years of age, hurtling along after only a couple of hours wobbling training. They were very quickly independent and their sense of balance improved almost as you watched. But the great thing was the fun they had. They could now join in the family’s Sunday cycle rides and no longer have to be carried on the back of mama’s bike.
It very soon becomes their favourite toy and one sees them regularly, outside shops chained to Mama’s bike, while the shopping is being done.
When my grandchildren were first learning to cycle, some people recommended just leaving the pedals off a standard bike, until the child was ready for pedals, but I think this is a much better solution. It has now been used by both boys and still is, while not quite as good as new, in good enough condition to pass on to another generation, or family.
Where our grand children learned to ride is in the woods, near their home and we often ride there. The paths are soft, but this bike works well on all surfaces, on pavement, trails and indoors. Because the bike is quite light they were able to pick it up or push it, where necessary. The lightness of the bike also means that accidents rarely cause damage, to the child or whatever it has crashed into.
I can thoroughly recommend that you use a balance bike with your smaller children, it is certainly worth buying the best quality one you can and passing it on through the younger ones as they come along.
Here is the text from the original advertisement, so you can see what first sparked my interest.
“The ultimate all-terrain balance bike, designed to introduce children to two-wheeled cycling. It allows children between the ages of two and five to ride independently, gain confidence, and develop motor skills and a sense of balance. In no time the rider becomes more confident and can push-off to pick up speed, but can easily regain their balance with their feet. The Like A Bike Walking Bike has an adjustable seat height so that the bike will be able to ‘grow’ with the child for many years of use. There is also a seat height extension (sold separately), available for taller children.”
When you have children ready for that first step in their adventures with bicycles, find out more and see if it can do for yours what we have seen it do for many others.
About the Author: See some happy excited children and find out more about these great walking bikes at
squidoo.com/walking-bike-for-kids
Source:
isnare.com
Permanent Link:
isnare.com/?aid=844784&ca=Parenting
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