This is a cartoon book on learning to cycle which we found at the Singapore National Library some years back. The title of the book is Bikes for Tykes by Azhar Yusof, illustrated by Eliz Ong. It's a local book! What I like about this story book is how attractive and friendly it is, for kids and big kids(Me). Momo was flipping about the pages and looking at the words/images. I think it also encouraged her to try out cycling. If you like to know how I teach Momo to ride, here's my way. Also included in the book are simple, usefultips for parents as well. Do check it out at the local library if you are looking for a nice story book on bicycle for ur kids! Happy cycling!
Momo brought the first bike trainer for his nephew WeiKai who is 3 year old to ride. I was very proud of her when she gently shared/demo Kai the tricks. The little boy was thrilled and I am sure he will have lots of fun learn to ride.
The first rider is learning bike without pedals. Yes, its a luxury but it really helps due to the light weight and adjustability of the seat... can be lowered really low. Have a look at how momo learned here
When I saw this on the internet.. I was blown away... wow. Bikeability
It is a cycling proficiency program done in a National level and give more confidence and skill to the cyclists for them to be able to cycle safely on the roads. Yes, I have also shared this with the LTA folks.
Read and poke around the website and learn how UK approaches the cycling issue.
Also check out UK's Transport for London design guides for cycling
Last Article for Zao Bao, thank you to my dear wife for the awesome translation!
Found this
online which is a Gyro wheel that supposely makes it easier for children to
learn cycling. You can even modulate the gyro forces so that the child can
slowly "wean" off the aid.... http://www.gyrobike-europe.com/Hmmm .Well I think it just might
work! But frankly it is more than the products that will make ur child cycle...Equipment aside, the most important
element is love and patience. I know as Daddies, we like to get the little one
as quickly up to speed to cycle as possible. So much so that we sometimes
give so much advice and pressure... it can put them off. I was guilty of
that too :)
But kids will always be kids and they
learn in their own way. That's thru play and if u make every ride fun... they
will come back for more. A little trick I do with my daughter momo, is
that I get on my Carry me and we play "Catch" that is to ride around,
near to their speed and "chase each" other... sounds stupid but she
loves it.. esp if she is the leader and she will bring me around the blocks and
pillars.
Enjoy the moment, even if
the learning process is abit slow. And when the magical moment happens... you
will be super happy! Happy cycling!
Quick tips to teach
ur child
1)Get a bicycle, take out the training wheels and pedals.
2)Get safety helmet and gloves. Your child might fall but that’s
part of the learning process. Dun stress.. .it happens. Stay cool.
3)Make sure the seat is low enough so that when he/she straddle
the bicycle. Both the feet is nicely planted on the floor. This give him more
confidence
4)Find a open space with no traffic. A void deck open area is
fine. Get him to “run” with the “bike’ – sans pedals and training wheels. Play
catch with him, get him to chase u and follow you
5)Keep on doing the session to about half an hour. Give him lots
of encouragements and make it fun. Repeat for at least 4 weekend.
6)When u see he gets better with “running” with the bike.. ask him
to lift his legs when in motion. This teaches him balance… but he doesn’t know
it..
7)When he can balance with 2 legs up..ask if he like to put the pedals back. Don’t press it too
hard if he doesn’t. Keep it fun and keep the positive vibes on. Very soon ur
child will ask to put the pedals back
8)Once the pedals are back on.. Keep the seat low so both feet it
planted on the ground. Practise straddle and when the bicycle is moving,
position feet on the pedal and crank. Dad can be at the rear, help stabilize
the bike while he find the pedals.. and let him go.It will wobble but he should be able to crank afew time. Big
applaush and high fives…your
child would be smiling.
9)Ok, now keep practicing.And now learn how to stop. Learn by riding in a straight line and apply
both brakes gently. Slowly increase the distance and duration. Lots of
encouragments will help lots.
This is First Rider and momo "got the balance" from this bike!
Found this online which is a Gyro wheel that supposely makes it easier for children to learn cycling. You can even modulate the gyro forces so that the child can slowly "wean" off the aid.... hmmm
Well I think it just might work! But frankly it is more than the products that will make ur child cycle...
Equipment aside, the most important element is love and patience. I know as Daddies, we like to get the little one as quickly up to speed to cycle as possible.
So much so that we sometimes give so much advice and pressure... it can put them off. I was guilty of that too :)
But kids will always be kids and they learn in their own way. That's thru play and if u make every ride fun... they will come back for more. A little trick I do with momo, I get on my Carry me and we play "Catch" that is to ride around, near to their speed and "chase each" other... sounds stupid but she loves it.. esp if she is the leader and she will bring me around the blocks and pillars.
Enjoy the moment, even if the learning process is abit slow. And when the magical moment happens... you will be super happy! Happy cycling!
I finally relented after the hopeless chasing after Encik George Lim and uncle KC. They are lung less and it is just impressive seeing them spin away. Encik recommended that I try SPD so that I can better spin and be more effective on my cranking. It was a nerve racking experience and so many choices. Luckily I have many experienced friend who accompanied to Rodalink to try out the SPD and shoe. I chose a MTB style shoe as I still wanted to be able to walk to the kopi tiam and not look like a King Penguin.
Shimano M077 MTB SPD Shoes. Look abit too fierce for me but it fits well.
Recess cleat and nice chunky rubber sole = no King Penguin look
I listened to George. Went home remove the screw and grease lightly the cleat screw. Apparently this makes it easier to adjust later
Darren gave me a SPD regime which I stuck to. That is to practise clip on and off on one pedal and switch to the other pedal - Stationary mode. I also back off the spring tension to make it easier to unclip. After half and hour of stationary practise, I excited went to a quiet carpark to do a slow run. Clip in and pedal awhile and stop. Unclip. Heng ah.. never fall. Shared with my LCSG friends at FB and 80% commented that to be really proficient in the clipless pedal, you have to fall at least once. Oh gosh... is there another way? One tip they all tell me is to unclip (at least one pedal) before u reach traffic junction or u feel that u might need to stop. Oh also lean more to the unclipped pedal direction. :)
I did another morning run today on my BF pocket rocket.... and it did felt alot better. But still the engine dept needs more work lah. How to add "turbo" haha.
9th Oct is my birthday. I decided to spend it with the people who are the pillars in my life. Ah momo and Kim. 0630, my girl ran to my bed and woke me up. "Happy birthday papa... can we have Mac donald's :)" How not to? After the breakfast, I asked what she want to do.. and really lah.. she said. "Ride my bike"... So we did. I took my carryme, firstbike and ah mo strawberry bike out of the door. Momo stopped me then and requested that I re-install the pedals back on her strawberry bike. Ok, I did and after a warm up on the first bike. She took her strawberry bike. And yes, she did it! Pedalled 8 metres on the first few tries! Smiling ear to ear, me and my wife was there to witness our champion first time riding a bike! What a wonderful birthday gift!
My girl is now 4 and if u read my blog u will know she is beginning to learn to ride a bicycle. For now, she rides a strawberry bike with the pedal taken out.It kind of works but recently I was shown a bike by Lifecycle's Simon which aims to help a child learn to ride and find their sense of balance. Enter First bike, designed in Germany, the product is simple and no frills. Light enough to be chucked into a back of a car and bring to any Park connector or just buzzing around the neighbourhood. This are some photos of my momo in action... She seems to just get into the groove very quickly. We were laughing and joking around the PCN. Judging from her laughs and smiles.. I think this is a good toy for any child learning to ride and makes for a nice family bonding.
I will update more as she progress along in a week or so....Stay tune! More photos here
u just paddle along... this helps the child get a sense of balance
Some photo of momo @ 4years old.I took out the pedals so that it is easier for her to shuffle on the floor. After a few weeks... she is almost learning how to balance.... Yayyyy! Almost there!
Ready when u are!
take out the pedal and just push along... wheeeee!
Everything got to be color coordinated..right aunty Mary?
Listen to a young boy feedback after he just learned to ride... no BS, just pure joy! Do you remember the first time u managed to balance and ride a bike? How was it? Who was the one who helped you?
Good morning 2011! It is an exciting start for 2011. Momo requested to take out the training wheels on her strawberry bike. We spend the morning downstairs straddling the bike... She fell a few times and whined of course....already can see that she is handling the bike better. I am excited on Momo's progress and will share more soon.
