Where you can learn to cycle
The City of Sydney is currently offering a number of free cycling courses. Check out what is on offer by clicking on the following link http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/ParkingAndTransport/Cycling/CyclingCourses.asp
Learn to Cycle
Learning to ride a bicycle is one of life's most enjoyable milestones. The fun can start from the age of about 3 years old and can carry on for the rest of your life. Every child loves to cycle because it gives them independence and control. For parents and guardians it can be wonderful watching your child cycling for the very first time without help and it can lead to great family or group days out together.
Riding a bike with your children can be incredibly rewarding. You are spending quality time with them, everyone is getting exercise while enjoying the outdoors, discovering new areas and having a conversation at the same time!
Three easy steps to becoming a cyclist
- Learn to brake
- Learn to bail
- Learn to balance
For Learn to Cycle courses, please visit www.austcycle.com.au
Before you start
Learn on a bicycle that is in good working order and where the feet can touch the ground while sat in the saddle. Find a place to learn, preferably a flat, hard surface with few obstructions and only a little slope at the most. Make sure a well fitted helmet is worn.
Very young children can start to learn to cycle on a training bike. Stabilizers teach children to have fun on a bicycle but they can hinder learning to balance. Explain to children why they are doing each practice to keep the end achievement in sight and praise them when they have done well.
1. Learn to brake
With young children learning to brake can be quite difficult. It is also something that they tend to forget to do. Make sure the brakes can be applied single handed, as some brakes are too hard for some children to use.
- Wheel the bike around and apply the brakes and bring the bicycle to a halt in a controlled stop.
2. Learn to bail
With adults and older children bailing may come naturally, but for some little children learning how to fall can remove some of the anxiety and give them confidence.
- Sit on the bike with the feet on the ground. Tilt the cycle to one side and move the leg on the titled side outward to prevent the bike from falling. Try the same on the other side.
- Sit on the bike with the feet on the pedals and someone holding the seat for balance. Tilt the bike as above and again practice bailing on both sides.
3. Learn to balance
This part can be the most fun or the most frightening. To remove the anxiety with young children it may be better to take them to a local park where there are other attractions so they can do some of the practices en route to the playground for example.
- Sit on the bike with both feet on the ground and tilt the bicycle to one side. Learn to steer the handlebars in the same direction as the tilt to bring the bicycle to an upright position again.
- Push the bike around with only one hand on the saddle. This may be difficult for little ones as children's bikes can be quite heavy. Do not worry; just go on to the next practice if this is the case.
- Sit on the bicycle with both feet on the ground and push the bicycle forward with the feet until it scoots along. Keep extending the length the bicycle scoots forward until with one push the bicycle will coast along for longer stretches.
- Sit on the bicycle and with someone holding on to the saddle push off with the feet until the bike is coasting and bring the feet up on to the pedals. Keep pedalling and gradually confidence will grow and the helper can let go of the saddle. The helper should keep up with the bicycle if possible to remind the cyclist to brake or turn if necessary.
- To set off unassisted bring one of the pedals forward so when the foot pushes down the bicycle will move. Keep looking straight ahead and not at the pedals. As the bicycle moves and starts to coast bring the other foot up and cycle.
Now you can cycle . . . well done!
Benefits of cycling
- Can help children's education by improving their attention span and memory recall.
- Can tire children out ready for bed.
- Can help children keep fit and healthy.
- Visit places that are difficult to reach by car or bus
- Exercise suitable for most ages and abilities.
- Gives you the feel good factor.
- It's fun, fast, and environmentally friendly!
For more information on cycling courses available in Sydney's Inner West and Inner South click on the following link 
Cycing in Inner West & South West Sydney (383.81kB)