Children will attend structured lessons that incorporate fun activities.This will help children develop gross motor skills, spatial awareness and bilateral co-ordination. Children are able to progress to riding a pedal bike in a safe, rewarding manner. Using 'Balance Bikes', a lightweight, pedal-less bike, it facilitates balance and propulsion. Children run along whilst seated, push off the ground
to create forward movement and use a combination of their feet and hand operated brakes to slow down and stop safely. There are two levels to complete and the duration of each course runs for approximately six weeks. The Level 1 course, aims to build confidence, in the ability to glide on a balance bike and focuses on how to stop using a brake, in a controlled manner. The Level 2 course, aims to improve the child's gliding, stopping, braking and turning skills. This enables the children to ride solo on a pedal bike safely and with confidence. The success of the Balanceability programme proved that 94% of children were able to safely ride a pedal bike on completion of the course. Courses run over 5 weeks and the cost per child is £58
Courses are delivered by qualified Balanceability / National Standards Instructors who are first aid qualified and DBS checked.
“The Balanceability programme offers children a great opportunity to become competent cyclists at an early age through the development of balance and control. The programme is made up of progressive learning experiences, with fun ways to learn to cycle on balance bikes. This programme is a foundation for cyclists of the future, through which young children can practise and achieve the balance needed to ride a bicycle, but without the encumbrance of pedals.”
Patricia Maude MBE, lecturer in physical education at Homerton College, University of Cambridge and author of Physical Children, Active Teaching.
