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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's unusual at 8 not to be able to ride a bike?

79 replies

OhisHOME · 19/03/2015 20:57

Very adventurous, physically able 8 year old. Parents are well off so cost of bikes not a factor or is it quite normal to not learn?

OP posts:
CalleighDoodle · 19/03/2015 20:59

Are they outdoorsy people? They might not be interested in riding a bike. Can the child swim? Thats more inportant.

BumWad · 19/03/2015 20:59

I'm 32 and can't ride a bike.

SideOrderofChips · 19/03/2015 21:00

DD1 can't ride a bike because of her balance. She is 8

fuctifino · 19/03/2015 21:00

I do know of an 8 year old that can't/doesn't ride a bike. It has more to do with the df's skewed view on health and safety rather than the boys ineptitude.

dementedpixie · 19/03/2015 21:02

my dd is 11 and has a bit of a phobia about falling off. ds (8) also not keen. its not a life skill like other sports so I am not bothered too much. They do have bikes but aren't keen about going on them - prefer their skooters

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 19/03/2015 21:02

Years ago I would of thought it odd not to learn to ride a bike but not these days as its more about scooters than bikes.

CMOTDibbler · 19/03/2015 21:03

I've been surprised at the number of ds's classmates who can't ride a bike - at 8 there are a number who have stabilisers.

Original poster
OhisHOME · 19/03/2015 21:04

They are outside quite a lot and child has a scooter, no can't swim either,which I also think is unusual. Are lots of people just sticking with scooters these days?

OP posts:
midnight1983 · 19/03/2015 21:06

I'm 31 and can't ride a bike because I'm dyspraxic. ????

grannytomine · 19/03/2015 21:06

In my area you can book your child onto a course to learn to ride a bike.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 19/03/2015 21:07

Ds2 didn't learn until at least the 8, he might have been just turned 9!

Some children just don't get it earlier, that's just the way it is. You sound like my mum, she was always cats bum face about ds2 not being able to ride.

Once ds2 started though he was flying and the week he learned he did a 6 mile ride with me and ds1. He had the strength, just not the coordination. He's now at 10 a much better ride than ds1 who learned to ride at 5!

HollyBdenum · 19/03/2015 21:08

I didn't learn until my teens despite being provided with plenty of opportunities by my parents.

littlesupersparks · 19/03/2015 21:08

I'm 32 and I've never learned or had cause to ride a bike...

pootlebug · 19/03/2015 21:09

Dyspraxic? Or maybe the parents just aren't into bikes

Branleuse · 19/03/2015 21:09

ds1 learned at 11.
ds2 is 8 and cant ride one

flyinghogfish · 19/03/2015 21:10

My daughter is 11 and can't ride a bike, she's just not interested! But she loves her scooter, but that took a long time to get confidence, we had to start her with a 4 wheeled one from the age of 6 -8, then I got her a jd bug for her birthday and eventually she got confident enough to scoot around on it!
My son (13) loves his bike, goes out for 20 plus miles bike rides with his Grandad Grin

HainaultViaNewburyPark · 19/03/2015 21:11

DD (10) has been able to ride a bike since she was 5. DS (9) still can't ride a bike - he's never wanted to learn.

BerylStreep · 19/03/2015 21:13

DS is almost 8, and can just about ride his bike, but isn't keen.

Permanentlyexhausted · 19/03/2015 21:14

My two were 7 and 9 when they learned so I don't think 8 is that unusual.

Original poster
OhisHOME · 19/03/2015 21:16

Definitely does not dyspraxia. The reason I asked was that she was really upset today when a 4yo who was shooting round on his offered her a shot & she couldn't do it.

OP posts:
MsColouring · 19/03/2015 21:17

My dss just refuses to try. Doesn't seem to bother him.

wheresthelight · 19/03/2015 21:18

dsd is 9 and can't really rise without her stabilisers, she just hasn't got it yet.

dss is 11 and only really clicked with it about 15 months ago

if they haven't been taught then they won't learn. Perhaps the parents don't k ow how to ride or the kids just have never shown an interest.

yabu to judge

IAmAPaleontologist · 19/03/2015 21:19

doubt dd will be able to. She's 6 now and doesn't want to. She has no interest in riding a bike and I'm not about to force her to do something she doesn't want to do.

AlPacinosHooHaa · 19/03/2015 21:19

Ours can't and its just been a question of logistics, getting her somewhere with it, she can safely have a go, and time.

She cant swim either.

This year we are hoping to sort both issues out Grin without fail. Hoping to give bike as xmas present this year.

Not everyone has easy access to somewhere to practise.

kim147 · 19/03/2015 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.