Bobby’s bike skills

Introduction

We have written this information to help and encourage children to learn develop their gross motor skills, coordination, balance and bike skills.

Bobby’s Top Tips

There are many things to consider before your child begins to learn to ride a bike.

For example

• The size of the bike
• Your child’s motivation
• The time of year
• Where are you going to learn
• Which essential skills your child finds challenging for example balance, spatial awareness, bilateral integration, or strength

It is important you

• Only begin to teach your child when they are ready to learn

• Begin teaching your child at a time when they can get lots of regular practice e.g. summer time, school holidays

• Teach your child in a large open space with minimal distractions including other children

• Find a quiet, traffic-free area

• Choose a space with a smooth surface

• A slight downwards slope can often help

• Consider other hazards such as traffic, pedestrians & dogs etc.

• Other factors to consider;

• Your child should be able to sit comfortably on the saddle with their feet flat on the floor

• Your child should be able to reach the handlebars without over stretching

A successful method to learning

• Remove stabilisers and pedals.

• Adjust the saddle so your child can sit on the seat and comfortably place their feet flat on the floor.

• Encourage your child to scoot along, picking their feet up of the ground as they go along. If your child has been reliant on stabilisers, they may have been using these to lean on and compensate for balance. So this activity will help to develop this further. You should do these in short bursts over a period of a few weeks.

• Replace the pedals on the bike when your child is ready. You may want to replace only one pedal at a time. Giving your child the chance to rest one foot on the pedal and scoot with the other foot initially.

• Work on the action of pushing off. With the child choosing their preferred foot, practice pushing down on the pedal with one foot and pushing off with the other.

• Practice the art of pedaling; initially try this in a straight line, practicing using the brakes on command.

• Gradually introduce steering once confidence with pedaling and balance has been achieved.
  

Should you require additional support please consider a referral to our team:

Community Children’s Occupational Therapy

Level 3, Regent Point, Regent Farm Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3HD

Tel no:  0191 282 3452

Information produced by the Community Children’s Occupational Therapy Service
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust