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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Riding a bike - bike dilemma

4 replies

Loueytb3 · 22/08/2012 20:48

DTs are 5.5. Neither has yet had a bike. They both can ride scooters and use the brake on them. They were both very late to learn to pedal but can now do so, although quite slowly. We would like to buy them a bike each but I'm not sure which type to go for.

DTS1 has ASD and we were advised to buy a balance bike for him as he would find it easier to learn. However, they all seem to be aimed at younger children. The odd ones I have found for his age (I think we need 16") are ridiculously expensive. He also has very little sense of danger so I'm a bit wary of letting him loose on a bike which potentially could go quite fast. I'm guessing that stabilisers would slow him down a bit. (Obviously I'm not going to let him near roads but still). DTS2 will probably learn at a similar rate to any normal 5 yr old.

Any advice?

OP posts:

olivo · 22/08/2012 21:00

Is it possible to get a normal bike and take the pedals off to make it a balance bike? Then you could add them back on one he has the hang of it.

youonlysingwhenyourewinning · 22/08/2012 21:07

I second Olivo.

Get a normal bike without stabilisers and take the pedals off

MegMogAndOwl · 22/08/2012 21:14

I'd definitely go for the no pedal option to start with. You can take the pedals and crank off a normal bike, if you google it there are YouTube videos showing how. Or a local bike shop would probably do it for you.

You'd need to make sure they can easily get their feet on the ground so they can propel themselves along. If they are only just big enough for a 16" bike you could get cheap second hand 14" bike then upgrade when they are ready.

Im not sure that stabilisers will slow them down, I've seen some pretty speedy kids with them on in the park

If you can find a level grassy area they won't be able to go as fast, and at least it's a softer landing if they do fall off!

Original poster

Loueytb3 · 23/08/2012 07:59

Thanks - hadn't thought of YouTube. Both DH and I aren't mechanically minded at all! I've managed to find 2 bike shops reasonably close to us so hopefully one of them will have a good selection of bikes. Didn't fancy going to toysrus or halfords as they seem pretty useless. DH is in favour of getting them secondhand if possible and might do that if they are too small for the 16" currently. DTS1 is average height but DTS2 is quite small. Problem is if they have different bikes there will be arguments

OP posts:

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