Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Is learning how to ride a bike an essential skill for a child?

46 replies

Corbes · 17/08/2022 12:52

I have three children - two boys aged 5 and 3 months and a girl who’s 4.

My eldest will be 6 in the autumn. Back when he turned 4, we got him a small bike with stabilisers for his birthday. He rode it around a little at first as it was probably a novelty, but this past year especially he hasn’t really touched it despite encouragement from me and his dad. His sister is actually more interested in riding it now.

To me learning how to ride a bike is one to those quintessential childhood skills. I was late in learning myself as I didn’t have access to one until I was a bit older, and I remember feeling left out among my classmates. Once I did learn, I was out biking all the time and have great memories of that; my husband says he was the same. I had hoped around this stage that my son might be keen to learn (without the stabilisers) but he’s not really interested at all.

I’m not sure if I should press the issue; is it an essential skill, really? He is quite active in other ways, loves playing football etc. so it’s not as if he’s taking no exercise. But I don’t want him to feel left out the way I did. He has three cousins who were born the same year as him who all enjoy riding their bikes (minus stabilisers) so I’m sure at his age he would be physically capable.

On the other hand, as his little sister is showing an interest perhaps we should just go ahead and teach her and maybe that might spur him on to learn too? That was certainly the case when we were potty training him a few years ago 😅

We live in a small village, rather than a town or city if it makes a difference.

Would appreciate any thoughts on it.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

oldestmumaintheworld · 17/08/2022 18:21

I would leave it alone for now. Let natural competition do the work for you. Do you go cycling as a family? Or one parent and a child? My eldest didn't learn until her much younger sibling learned and realised she would miss out on bike rides with Dad. Learned in a week after that.

MushMonster · 17/08/2022 18:23

I think yes, it is an essential skill.
My daughter knows how to ride, but she does not have much experience at all.
We are going to practice together this summer and coming months.
I think it will be quite feasible that she needs this skill to get to work or shopping at some point.
And I regret not to have encouraged her to be more skilled and confident on it.

Sarahcoggles · 17/08/2022 18:28

I think it's an important skill.
DS2 was uninterested though. For years he refused to even try. Then one day (I cant remember the age but it was definitely over 6) he changed his mind, and has been cycling proficiently ever since. One of the things I do recall was that he preferred it without stabilisers.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

5 year olds Families General parenting Potty training

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 17/08/2022 18:36

It is useful for some, but many disabled children don't ever ride a bike so clearly it isn't essential.

Littleelffriend · 17/08/2022 18:46

My dd age 6 will not learn, doesn’t want to learn and every time we try to teach her it ends with her in tears stomping about. She’s great on a scooter. We’re trying to leave it

LeafHunter · 17/08/2022 18:52

I learnt to ride a bike in my 30s and wish I’d learnt earlier.

do you cycle much as a family? We take the kids out a lot on balance bikes or on the tag along on ours because we want them to enjoy cycling as much as we do. Is that an option?

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 17/08/2022 18:54

I think its really important, but get rid of stabilisers and do balance bike, so much better to learn on

Windbeneathmybingowings · 17/08/2022 18:57

Not essential but a big shame and a bit of a waste if you can’t. That feeling of standing up on a bike or going down a hill really fast. What a loss. And it’s free and simple. It’s a gift to learn.

EcoCustard · 17/08/2022 19:01

I think it’s important, great for physical development, health and balance and their confidence. My 4 Dc all had balance bikes from very early on but went to bikes with stabilisers. All Dc riding independently from 3.5-4 as it’s something we did early on. I cycle a lot and so do they as we live rurally. They are all competitive with each other and that helped as they all try and keep up with the eldest.

VonWeasel · 17/08/2022 19:12

It's a life skill and part of growing up so definitely encourage him.

Went on holiday with a group of friends as a 20 something and we hired bikes which was amazing for everyone except one person who couldn't ride a bike. They didn't join in half of the time as the bikes were used a lot to travel around, then other times they would meet us but have to get a taxi. It was such a shame. Although they quite liked time to themselves!!!

Jets121 · 17/08/2022 19:17

For me it’s an essential skill. I now road cycle and mountain bike & am actively involved in two different cycling clubs. Cycling gives me so much pleasure and I can’t imagine if I’d never learnt as a child.

We’ve had a staggering number of women joining our club since lockdown and all of them are evangelical about the mental & physical benefits as well as the social side of the club.

Seaweasel · 17/08/2022 19:19

My DD showed no interest in persevering without stabilisers until her little brother got keen about age 5 when she was 7. When he got his stabilisers off, she couldn't progress quickly enough. There was no way she was going to put up with her younger brother doing something she couldn't. It was very motivating.

Oblomov22 · 17/08/2022 19:24

Yes. I took DS2 to riding a bike teacher and within an hour he had him sorted. it was fabulous.

AuntieMarys · 17/08/2022 19:24

I'm 62 and have ridden a bike once. Never again. However I love spin classes

BotterMon · 17/08/2022 19:25

If an adult said to me I've never ridden a bike I would judge - same as anyone who can't swim or drive (unless a lifelong urban dweller).

Family bike rides are great fun so that's the way to encourage them to try.

Original poster

Corbes · 17/08/2022 19:34

Thanks for the replies everyone, it has given me some interesting things to consider.
We were on holiday recently in an area which had a very popular greenway/cycleway and it got me thinking it could be a great family activity for us, and maybe that’d be more encouraging for our eldest.

@Seaweaselthat’s exactly what I’m hoping will happen with mine!

OP posts:

Original poster

Corbes · 17/08/2022 19:35

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 17/08/2022 18:36

It is useful for some, but many disabled children don't ever ride a bike so clearly it isn't essential.

Yes, good point - sorry, perhaps my OP could have been better put.

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 17/08/2022 19:55

but many disabled children don't ever ride a bike so clearly it isn't essential.

who told you this?

it’s a very valuable getting about aid for many people that are unable to walk easily and actually often can get about by bike far easier than walking or car

ivykaty44 · 17/08/2022 19:59

Wheels for all. It’s inclusiveness riding a bike please don’t ever exclude others due to a disability they may have. Riding a bike somehow is often something that can be done by everyone regardless

kimchifox · 17/08/2022 20:16

I don't think it's essential in the way I think learning to swim is essential but I think it's useful & if there are no economic / other barriers then why wouldn't you?

DS1 just jumped on the bike we got for Xmas when he was 4 & just rode off on it, (rendering the presence of granny to witness the momentous milestone and my camera useless) DD was terrified learning and is still a bit nervous but can do it. DS2 didn't learn until he was 8 as we never made time for it, but lockdown gave us no time excuses - a few sessions close together (ie not once every two months) should be enough. I don't think you forget once it's mastered!

UWhatNow · 17/08/2022 20:41

It’s not ‘essential’ - what bollocks. I played out and lived on my bike as a kid and was gutted that my youngest - very bright, very outgoing - simply refused to learn to ride a bike. She wobbled up and down the street on her sister’s bike once - enough to get by on her year 6 outward bound residential but that’s it. Never before, never since. She’s still living, breathing, living a full happy life.

Flip

1 2