Is riding a bike an important life skill?

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DD7 has a bike she rides with stabilisers. We don't get it out very often because it's locked in the shed at the bottom of the garden which is more hassle compared to the scooter which is in the hallway. And you have to walk quite far from our house before the ground is suitable to ride on and its cumbersome to carry or push if she decides she doesn't want to ride anymore.

She's getting too big for the bike so she'll need a new one soon. But I'm wondering whether there's any point? She's not that enthusiastic about riding her bike and me and DH don't have bikes so we'll never be going on family bike rides. If she had a new bike it would be so that we can teach her to ride without stabilisers. The school says it's a life skill and they like all children to learn to ride without stabilisers by year 5. I'm wondering whether it's actually important? Me and DH don't ride bikes and that's never been a problem. In the last few years my cousin and my MIL have both nearly died in bike accidents, both had a bleed on the brain despite wearing a helmet. I think cyclists are very vulnerable on roads. So tbh I wouldn't encourage DD to do her commute by bike in future anyway. Is there something I'm missing here which makes it a vital life skill?

I can ride a bike, but I don’t have one and don’t think that it would make any difference to my life if I couldn’t. My children can both ride bikes, but it’s not something I’m particularly bothered about. It’s a “nice to have”, and I wouldn’t compare it to something like swimming which I’d consider a safety essential.

I learned to ride a bike as a child just enough to be able to pedal, but I never did it for fun or as a form of transport. It's never been part of my life, we live in London with good public transport and although there are lots of cyclists, I see it as quite unsafe and awkward to do with dcs in tow and to store, so I don't feel I miss out. There aren't many opportunities to do it for leisure as cycling is banned on the paths in all the local parks. We've taught out dd to ride but really there's nowhere for her to really ride her bike nearby except on actual roads alongside cars.

apart from the odd flat tire, i love it for zipping about, much faster than walking and other than some cars that dont let you past when they pull to close to the kerb then its excellent

There are all sorts of reasons you could give op but really, letting your child pass through childhood without even trying to teach them a very common skill...well it's just a bit shit really isn't it.

Imagine there's a school trip in comp, somewhere where they'll be cycling, and she couldn't do it. Pretty mortifying.

Just take the stabalisers off her current bike now and take her out on the next fine day and teach her. I'm not understanding why it's such a big deal. OR just admit you have no interest in teaching her and don't care if she knows how to or not and own your choice.

Take the stabilisers off and let her scoot on it. Best way to learn the balance. Stabilisers are not the best way to teach them to ride a bike at all.

What is your area like, do older kids cycle to school or around the estate to meet mates? No need for a new bike, there are plenty at charity shops, market place etc.

Personally I do think its a life skill but we have lived overseas, in towns and villages so bikes have been needed.

@InABalletBubble aren’t your kids lucky to have cars, many students can’t possibly afford a car and ubers, I certainly can’t fund a car for mine, she works to help support herself. I can’t think of any of her friends who have a car at uni.

What do you think? For someone with balance issues etc, an adult tricycle is more appropriate.

Oh it’s never caused you an issue so it will never cause anyone else an issue? Your experience is not everyone else’s.

Times I’ve been pleased I can ride a bike:

Going on school trips and being able to take part in all activities.

Being on holiday and the whole family hiring bikes to explore the area.

Me and DD cycling at the weekends along beautiful coastal paths. It keeps us fit and healthy.

Getting electric bikes and cycling 26 miles around a lake in gorgeous English countryside.

It’s a shame some people could never choose to do lovely things like the above as their parents didn’t bother to teach them to ride a bike.

So what has that got to do with "imagine being an adult and not being able to ride a bike". I don't need to imagine it and it really isnt the horror you imagine it is. There are plenty of lovely things to do that don't require riding a bike.

It takes like 10-20 minutes to learn 🤨 why wouldn’t you at least let her try?

I think it is valuable but not critical. My child has ASD and struggles with certain skills.

Dd has not mastered riding a bicycle and we just let it go.

She also struggled with swimming. We considered that a safety issue and spent 100s of hours and an insane amount of money making sure she learned to at least be able to doggy paddle from one side of the pool to the other.

learning to drive was also a challenge, but where we live it is an absolute necessity. We put in the hours our self with practice and paid for private instruction as well. She now drives, she doesn’t enjoy it, but she does it.

I did find some special therapists that teach bicycle riding, but dd just didn’t care that much.

It can be useful but it’s definitely not essential. I can’t ride a bike - lack of balance! I can walk, run, drive or catch public transport, or even get a taxi if necessary, so although I like the idea of it, I’m covered for both transport and exercise without.

Get her a decent lightweight bike - Frogs or Isla Bikes. Will make life much easier for both of you.

You can’t predict if your DD will want to cycle or not. My DP discouraged me once I was about 10 or so as they felt the roads were too dangerous - then I started cycling as a student & cycling has been part of my life ever since. I could drive or get the bus - but for some journeys cycling is just much more convenient (these tend to be the journeys that have a safe cycle route for at least some of the way). It’s also cheaper & better for my health. I don’t agree with the people saying teens won’t want to cycle (DS has found it very useful as it’s increased his independence massively and is quicker than walking).

British Cycling and Cycling UK have lots of information about learning to cycle that might be helpful & they may offer local events. Your council may offer events to help children learn without stabilisers. Whether you need your own bike for Bikeability will depend on your council (you do for mine, which I don’t like as it can’t be nice for the children who miss out). If you have a local bike recycling place, they are good to check out for second hand bikes - she may find it easier if it’s a decent make as the bike will be lighter & better balanced (the Cycle Sprog website has loads of info about kids bikes).

I’m very sorry to hear about your cousin & MIL and can see how that would make you worry about the roads.