Physiotherapist Catherine Apinis gives her advice for parents whose children are learning to ride a bike.
Cycling for children gives them self -confidence, autonomy and a certain freedom, he explains. Usually, teens start cycling between the ages of three and eight, but we’re seeing more and more two -year -olds getting involved in it!he exclaimed.
According to him, arousing the child’s interest in the stages increases the chances that he will persevere in learning to ride a bike. Tools like the giraffe, for example, allow teens to discover the freedom of cycling without having to pedal alone.
Essential Skills
According to Catherine Apinis, the essential things for cycling are a certain stability of the abdomen and good strength in the legs. Young cyclists should also know how to use their feet separately from their arms, and have some attention span.
The child can begin to ride the bike in several stages.
The child can start by walking next to a bicycle without pedals and small wheels to push it in a straight line. He can also lift it to make sure it is not too heavy.
Once on the bike, the child can take gentle slopes in the grass so that he becomes familiar with the feeling of acceleration.
The next step is to take a bike with pedals, but no small wheels, so that the child can prepare for the propulsion and learn how to start well.
Still on a gentle slope covered with grass, the child finds his pedals, and finally practices stopping.
When all these steps are completed, the child is ready to begin pedaling on their own.
Grass, long clothing helps limit scratches and sores on the knees and elbows, helping the child stay confident.mention of Catherine Apinis.
The helmet is also importanthe recalled.
Learn-to-bike workshops are available through several physiotherapy clinics throughout the Eastern Townships. Vélo Québec also offers a start to cycling on Cyclomini routes, showing kids how to ride a bike on a route their size. These courses are supposed to travel throughout Quebec this summer.
Source: Radio-Canada
