AIBU to be unhappy about this cycling training at school

Really sorry to hear this. I've always been a keen cyclist but still remember being not allowed to do cycling proficiency as a child because my parents couldn't afford all of the safety extras they said I needed. I still cycled but was just less safe on the roads because I'd never been taught what to do. Is there some alternative private tuition you could get in the local area?

It's leg length that really matters. Do her knees come anywhere close to hitting her hands on the handlebars when she pedals? That could be a safety issue. Can't really think of anything else that would mean it was inappropriate to let her take part.

Not sure it's worth kicking up too much of a fuss, except, perhaps to ask that they publicise any such restrictions and the criteria for passing them, in the future. What your DD needs now is a way to get over her feelings about the debacle. Maybe there's a different course she could take outside school that would give her more over all? Or you can do something yourselves at the weekends?

I know it’s very upsetting for you, I think it’s one of the hardest things to happen as a parent, to see your child disappointed but it’s part of life and they have to accept it. Worse things than this are going to happen to her, you have to teach her that sometimes life doesn’t seem fair.

Your hyperbole is a joy to behold!

You were told the bike was fine in advance, and your daughter was banned from the activity for her bike not being fine.

Anyone voting YABU has missed that point in your OP.

I would complain to the school, they gave you a false confidence that was ripped away from your daughter in front of the whole class. I should think that shame has a lot to do with your daughter's reaction. And that is just unacceptable for anyone to put your daughter in that position in public

I also think kids ride very large bikes. And I would have thought too big was worse than too small (within reason).

I periodically get told my saddle is too low but it works for me.

Hopefully she can have another go at 11 OP - it's usual to do bikeability in Y6.

I failed my cycling proficiency after my mum had diligently gone out to buy a reflector. 😂. I do see a lot of kids out (wobbling all over the road) on what look to be very large bikes now, I'm sure they didn't used to be that big.

I remember when I did cycling proficiency as a child. My bike (second hand) had a huge list of things wrong with it and I couldn’t take part until my dad worked his way through the list and repaired and tightened everything. My parents and brothers thought it was hilarious and teased me about it for ages. Honestly, don’t over think it. I got over it - I had to as was getting no sympathy 😂

I used to be a primary teacher but I'd have no idea if a bike was the right size for a child or not.

It does seem small but it depends what the frame size is relative to the wheels. My daughter's not much taller and recently moved to a Frog 62 which is 24 inch wheels from a Pendleton with 20 inch wheels she'd had for 2 or 3 years.

Yes, ime a lot of people have their kids on bikes that are technically too large and a bike that is slightly too small is a lot better than a bike slightly too large, for optimum control.

Doesn't particularly matter if the child is a confident cyclist but I think 18 inch wheels should be fine. Frame size can differ between bikes of the same wheel size though, so I'd check the recommendations from the manufacturer.

Regardless, OP, if your child is happy on the bike and has good control of it, she should not have been excluded from the lessons. Totally unnecessary imo.

The school won’t gave checked the bike assuming it’s Bikeability doing the training, they would have done it. Have you actually asked school why she couldn’t do it?

According to this chart it's fine for her height!

That is quite small. DD is the same age, 7cm shorter and has been riding a 20 inch for about 8 months.

If they can't actually ride (e.g. for Reception or Y1) this will be to get them scooting.
@FrostMarten your DD can do bike training elsewhere, life includes minor disappointments.

That sounds ridiculously too small to me. Mine moved to a 20 inch frame size at 110cm and a 24 at 125cm

I honestly can't see how she could fit on it so I'm not surprised this happened.

It's sad for her but just remind her there is always next year she shouldn't be riding on her own or on the road now anyway. Seems a bit young for them to be doing it.

When they did this at our primary school, it was for kids aged 11+ and they had bikes to borrow if you didn’t have a bike of your own. (In Ireland they’re at primary until they’re about 13yrs old.)

My son struggled as he has dyspraxia which affects his balance but they were really good with him. He was the only one unable to ride. After 3 sessions with 1:1 support, he managed to ride a short length of the playground and turn and stop:start but he didn’t really take to it so he’s not bothered trying again.

Some councils run cycling courses in the school holidays. Perhaps you could check this out if DD is interested.

Really sorry to hear what happened to your DD.

Bikeability is what used to be Cycling Proficiency.

If it is provided by your local council, you could also share your experience with your councillor. Some councils (like mine) don’t provide bikes, but I think others do (which seems fairer as it ought to be a lovely experience all children get to enjoy).

As a general rule, the seat should be at the height of the rider's hips.

My guess is that the school were checking the overall condition of the bike rather than how suitable it was for the height of the rider. Your poor DD though.

This happened to a girl in my daughters year, but school or the cycle people had bikes to borrow.

Also, ours don't do it till year 6, so it seems very young to go on roads in your case

I'm amazed as the cycling training at our local primary seems to have the children all on bikes with the saddles far too low. Like grasshoppers with wheels.