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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be unhappy about this cycling training at school

32 replies

FrostMarten · 18/09/2026 17:13

DD is 7 and had cycling proficiency earlier this week. We were told ages about it (before summer) and told that they had to bring their own bike and helmet, which have to been in good order and will be checked over before they are allowed to take part. They of course had to be confident on a bike as well. There was no option to rent or borrow a bike from the company providing the training or from school, but school did offer a service to get bikes checked beforehand which we did and were told it was fine.

DD on the day wasn’t allowed to do it because they said her bike was too small. We thought it was the right size. She had to go back to her class and was very upset. She had friends who weren’t doing it for various reasons but apparently cried for a long time. We were not told by school she had been turned away, she told us herself when we got home and then I had it confirmed by another mum who asked her children in the same class.

I have spent a few days feeling like that was just bad luck for her she’ll get over it. But she is still upset about it and the more I think about it seems like a really harsh reason for her not to be allowed to join in? She rides her bike comfortably and I don’t think she is quite ready for a larger one.

I am mainly unhappy that school didn’t even bother to tell me anything about her being turned away. But also the more I think about it, there are quite a few problems with this training provider.

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 18/09/2026 18:58

Hihosilver123 · 18/09/2026 18:41

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 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.

Cadeaukatze · 18/09/2026 19:18

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.

Jopo12 · 18/09/2026 20:44

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

Soontobe60 · 18/09/2026 21:05

Jopo12 · 18/09/2026 20:44

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

Edited

Your hyperbole is a joy to behold!

AngelaBB · 18/09/2026 21:17

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.

AmnesiacsDream · 18/09/2026 23:52

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?

Fulbe · 19/09/2026 00:15

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?

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