Ah, the wonderful freeing feeling of learning to ride a bike for the first time. We all remember it well and can often describe the experience in vivid detail.
For me it was my mother who, after holding on tight to the end of my banana seat for weeks, finally let go for the first time — with me believing she was still there. It symbolized a new stage of independence and adventure.
Research shows that the average age a child learned to ride a bike a generation ago was eight. Today, it is four. Yes, those pedaless run bikes have allowed little ones as young as eighteen months to begin the journey of two-wheeled wonder.
In the bike shop, we often get parents asking how they can get their children to advance to the “next level” of riding. Many are frustrated that their child isn’t off training wheels yet “like the rest of their friends.” There are several great strategies that address these issues, but at the end of the day we often find that the child needs to do it on his or her own terms without us pushing and prodding (because we all know what that leads too).
And by the way, you may be surprised to learn that our five-year-old daughter, having grown up surrounded by bikes in every colour and style, is happy as a clam on the little blue run bike she has had since she could walk.
Sure, we would love her to move on and get into the world of pedals, but when we stop and ask ourselves the tough question: Is it for us or for her? The answer is always the former. We want to go on family trail rides…now! It is a reminder to us that she will get there in her own time and a gentle parenting lesson in patience.
For us, we are grateful that she shares our passion for being outside. That is really the most important thing.
Until next time, see you out there!
Editor’s note: Lydia Watson’s column appears monthly in Coast Reporter. She handles marketing and outreach programs for Off the Edge Bike shop in Sechelt and is the convenor of the highly successful mountain bike operations program at Capilano University.
