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Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:58 am
by DavidF

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:02 pm
by DavidT
Took the initiative after watching this and took the stabilisers off the kids bikes - both Emma (6) and Tom (4). An hour later they're cycling around the garden with no visible bruising :)
I took Tom's pedals off initially to mimic a balance bike, but he complained so they went straight back on.
Also noticed in the vid how low the saddle was and dropped their saddle down to the bottom so they could have both feet on the ground and still sit on the saddle - worked a treat!

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:06 pm
by afoley
we teach kids at school to cycle by taking off the pedals - its so effective- had a kid with severe autism and moderate learning disability with little or no recreational interests and zero response to another person. had him using a bike like this and within a few months he was cycling, turning, using brakes- the whole shebang! there was joy on the yard that day! and the smile on his face from the sheer enjoyment of the movement of cycling- did great for his balance and coordination and could be used as a motivator for his learning too. has worked for lots of other kids too but he's my good news story for today! stabilisers are kinda like armbands- giving that false sense of confidence- 'i'll sink if i take them off' kinda thing!

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:03 am
by DavidC
afoley wrote:there was joy on the yard that day! and the smile on his face from the sheer enjoyment of the movement of cycling
I've always known that cycling is good for the soul and that's a brilliant example. :D
Cycling is intrinsically joyful, I call it "the whee factor"

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 2:56 pm
by BarryB
Was talking to my cousin Damian and one of his suppliers is selling off run bikes he can get them for anyone interested for €30 let me know if anyone wants one
also in orange
also in orange
run bikes.JPG (7.49 KiB) Viewed 7660 times
also in orange

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 6:35 pm
by Siobhan
We'll take one please Barry, in orange if possible, a late birthday present for the bould Maebh :D

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:46 pm
by BrainY
I'll take an orange one as well Barry. Cheers( Would he have one in XXXXL :lol: :lol: )

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:10 pm
by DavidT
I'll take a blue one please Barry.

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:15 pm
by don
I'll take a blue one too Barry

Re: Why every parent should buy their child a balance bike....

Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:23 pm
by Dena
Can we get an orange one for Jay please