My youngest lad is 8 and has just never “got” riding a bike. He has dyspraxia and really struggles with balance, hand eye coordination and pretty much anything that needs a bit of confidence.
Over the years he’s managed to cope with most aspects of growing up but the bike has always been a big no-no to the point that he would point blank refuse to ride. He wouldn’t even ride his trail-gator.
About a year ago we got him a balance bike for slightly older kids but he just didn’t show any interest in riding it. Not wanting to push things we’ve left it to him to make the first move.
Tonight he asked me to take him to the park and I casually suggested we took the bike – he agreed. His choice.
Two hours later..
At the bottom of every slope he was shouting “That was Awesome!”
I often ride with a friend who’s son has dyspraxia. He said him & his wife went to an open evening that explained how dyspraxia affected people they both said they felt awful how they had given their son grief over being clumsy.
Absolutely brilliant stuff, well done to your son. Make sure he sees this!
There are various products about to help people with balance problems around riding a bike, we looked into them for a few customers when I worked in a shop. It doesn’t matter if he ends up with a traditional looking bike so long as he finds riding it awesome!
russ, that’s fantastic! as MrO said, his face in that first pic pretty much says it all, and is exactly why we all keep on riding our bikes to this day.
he’ll be joining us all in Phillips Park before you know it!