So ds (4 years old) can't ride a bike so for Christmas..

[nikos]

should I give in to this and get him one of those battery powered motor bikes so he can be mobile under his own steam. Or should I get him a trike designed for younger children and hope he gets motivated to learn to peddle.
Ds has ASD and we are increasingly suspecting a degree of dyspraxia as he has poor gross motor skills.
Not sure which way to play this one.

Thanks VJG13 .
Nikos. We bought ds a battery-powered trike when he was 4 (we got dd one as well, thought it would be something they could do together) and he refused point blank to ride it. He used to crawl along next to it with his hand on the foot button so he could watch the wheels go round!

Pixel, I was just going to say my ds2 done the same with his battery operated trike. He refused to sit on it, and would scream if we attempted to put him on it.

Nikos I like the trike from Halfords, especially as it can be changed to a bike later on. Might be worth getting?

excuse the hijack

they do look very good barking, but I'd be so worried abt spending all that only for it either not to work or get trashed by him falling off it. I may consider it if we get anywhere with our dla claim though.

did you have to order online? Wonder if there would be anywhere we could go and see them. Looking back he would have been better off starting on something liek that pedaless one.

amber, I've seen some adult trikes with paniers and that ont he back and they look so cool!

Look, a chopper trike! Looks a bit like a harley

Chopstheduck - we ordered online by recommendation on here. I know you can see the bikes wherever the company is (sorry can't remember!), I know lots of people that would like to see them in the shops - I don't know what the latest is, but you could always contact Isla herself.

The bikes are very lightweight compared to what I found in the shops, because heaviness wasn't an issue it was so much easier for my dc to balance.

Chops- where are you? If any where near us you can take a look/ try boys Rothan. I'm in Exeter, Devon. Going up to Morton in the Marsh around New Year for a few days.

nikos - have you tried many methods for teaching your ds how to pedal? My ds seemed to have no idea until I nearly broke my back wheeling him downhill a few times, holding onto his feet and pushing them, shouting out "LEFT foot, RIGHT foot" as each foot was supposed to take over and push... Going downhill helped, because that way he could feel what was supposed to happen with the pedals without having to push too hard or being able to pedal them backwards (he's hypotonic and hypermobile, so couldn't actually get the bike moving on the flat at that point, anyway). Once he had the idea, it didn't take long for him to build up the strength to pedal on the flat - provided there weren't any bumps on the ground!!! We took him out today on his bike and he's really getting quite good, if still far too slow to be able to learn to balance without stabilisers. It's amazing how much the strength and stability in his legs has improved since he started school in September and started trying to keep up with his friend in the playground! And he feels rather proud of himself. Our paed. told us that pedalling a bike might help even out the strength in his legs, as he did have one leg slightly stronger than the other. There doesn't seem to be much difference these days, so maybe it worked.

Unis, thanks for the offer, it's really kind. Unfortunately I'm in Berkshire.

What do you all think of this www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NWU9NI/ref=s9subs_c5_21_at1-rfc_p-frt_p_si8?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&p frds=center-1&pfrdr=08HJ7C7X3GJRHACTEPY4&pfrdt=101&pfrdp=463374953&pfrdi=468294.
It plugs into the TV and the harder you pedal then the more quickly the action happens on screen.

I have a bike similar to a likeabike that we bought recently for my ds1 (Angelman syndrome). It was way too small for him (big 7) and the 2 little ones have new boy/girl bikes. If any one local to Bolton/Manchester would like it please let me know. I'll watch this thread just in case! Its from Ikea of all places and we paid £100 for it! Its white and red (surprise surpise!) fits from 3yrs ish upwards. Has removeable pedals and chain and adjustable seat and handlebars. It is as new but being unused and neglected. I would hate to think that it was sat there rusting away if one of you would like to have it. I can drop it off within a reasonable distance if its any help. Oh, I dont want anything for it, I just want it to be used. x

forgot to say it also has stabilisers.

What a kind offer, we're too far away but I hope someone can use it.

I bumped in case any one wants this. I dont want it to go to waste.