Learning to Cycle: From Training Wheels to Balance Bike

Mercê, Cristiana; Branco, Marco; Chelo, David; Lopes, Frederico; Cordovil, Rita

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031814

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…At the higher speeds, gliding becomes prevalent, leading the children to experience balance for longer periods, a skill which is necessary to ride a traditional bicycle. The previous literature supports the hypothesis that the BB is a better tool to learn to cycle independently when it is compared to the bicycle with lateral training wheels (BTW) because it seems to enable balance acquisition at the early stages of learning [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 ]. However, until now, it was not known which cycle patterns were more frequently explored by the children on a BB, nor what the preferred velocities were for the transition between them.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…In more recent times, a notable change has been the introduction of the balance bike (BB). A BB is a bicycle without pedals or training wheels, which is opposed to the previously standardized use of training wheels (stabilizers) on a regular bicycle [ 13 ]. The studies have indicated that the BB is a more effective learning tool than a traditional bicycle with lateral wheels is [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A BB is a bicycle without pedals or training wheels, which is opposed to the previously standardized use of training wheels (stabilizers) on a regular bicycle [ 13 ]. The studies have indicated that the BB is a more effective learning tool than a traditional bicycle with lateral wheels is [ 13 , 14 ]. The lack of pedals is a task constraint that gives the children the opportunity to explore several modes of locomotion, e.g., walking, running, or gliding on the bike.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?

et al. 2022

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The balance bike (BB) has been pointed out as being the most efficient learning bicycle due to its inherent stimulation of balance. However, the process of acquiring the control of balance on the BB has not been explored. This study aimed to: (i) categorize the cycle patterns of children on the BB, (ii) compare the cycle patterns in different stages of learning (before and after six sessions of a BB practice program), and (iii) verify whether velocity is a control parameter leading to transitions between different cycle patterns on a BB. The data were collected during the Learning to Cycle program from 12 children aged 6.06 ± 1.25 years. The velocity was measured using an inertial sensor. Seven different movement patterns were captured and categorized through video analysis. After practice, there was an increase in the mean number of different patterns and in the global mean and maximum velocity. These were interpreted as an improvement of the motor competence in the use of the BB. The results obtained support the hypothesis that velocity is a control parameter which leads to the emergence of diverse patterns of behavior. As the speed increased, the amount of foot contact with the ground became less frequent and the locomotor modes that imply that longer flight phases began to emerge.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?

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“…After entering the new millennium, our findings reveal another drop in the age that children learn how to cycle independently. Possibly, this is due not only to the more central place the bike adopts within the family context nowadays, but also due to the transition from learning how to cycle with training wheels to the use of the balance bikes ( 55 , 60 ). In many countries, cycling is considered a traditional leisure time activity during childhood as many parents offer bikes to their children for playing when they are young.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning to Cycle: A Cross-Cultural and Cross-Generational Comparison

Cordovil

Mercê

Branco

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundLearning to cycle is an important milestone for children, but the popularity of cycling and the environmental factors that promote the development and practice of this foundational movement skill vary among cultures and across time. This present study aimed to investigate if country of residence and the generation in which a person was born influence the age at which people learn to cycle.MethodsData were collected through an online survey between November 2019 and December 2020. For this study, a total of 9,589 responses were obtained for adults (self-report) and children (parental report) living in 10 countries (Portugal, Italy, Brazil, Finland, Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, Mexico, Croatia, and the Netherlands). Participants were grouped according to their year of birth with 20-year periods approximately corresponding to 3 generations: 1960–79 (generation X; n = 2,214); 1980–99 (generation Y; n = 3,994); 2000–2019 (generation Z; n = 3,381).ResultsA two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of country, F(9,8628) = 90.17, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.086, and generation, F(2,8628) = 47.21, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.122, on the age at which individuals learn to cycle. Countries with the lowest learning age were the Netherlands, Finland and Belgium and countries with the highest learning age were Brazil and Mexico. Furthermore, the age at which one learns to cycle has decreased across generations. There was also a significant country x generation interaction effect on learning age, F(18,8628) = 2.90, p < 0.001; however, this effect was negligible (ηp2 = 0.006).ConclusionsThese findings support the socio-ecological perspective that learning to cycle is a process affected by both proximal and distal influences, including individual, environment and time.

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“…This trend can be attributed to the increasing availability of dedicated cycling tracks and child-size-friendly bicycles, which make it easier for children to learn at an earlier age. However, many individuals who struggle to cycle independently as adults often trace their difficulties back to ineffective learning approaches [ 3 ]. Negative learning experiences, such as falling while learning to ride a two-wheel bike, can discourage them from persisting in their learning journey.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive skill transfer in balance and speed control from balance bike to pedal bike in adults: A multiphase intervention study

Chow,

2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Learning to cycle can be challenging for adults who did not acquire the necessary skills during childhood. Balance bikes have been used to teach children how to cycle, but it was unclear whether this approach could also be effective for adults. Purpose To address this, a multi-phase intervention study was conducted to investigate whether healthy adults could be taught to cycle independently through the use of a balance bike. Methods In Phase 1, a case-control observational study was conducted in which 13 cyclists and 8 non-cyclists completed balance bike tests. Based on the findings, an 8-session intervention pre- and post-test study was conducted in Phase 2, using an 8 × 20-minute balance bike training programme to improve cycling postural stability and control. Another 11 non-cyclists completed the novel programme. The time taken to complete the balance bike tests was compared before and after the program, while their cycling confidence was recorded in each session. To assess the effectiveness of the programme, participants were invited to cycle on a pedal bike to evaluate their ability to cycle independently. Results The results in Phase 1 showed that cyclists performed better on the balance bike than non-cyclists, with Bayes factor analyses providing evidence of this difference, BF01 = 0.228 in the 15 m sprint test and BF01 = 0.138 in the two-turn curved sprint test. The novel training programme in Phase 2 demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in improving their balance bike riding performance, as evidenced by the Bayes factor for completion times in the repeated measures being BF01 < 0.001. All participants were able to cycle independently with confidence after the programme. Conclusions This study sheds light on the idea that it’s never too late for adults to learn how to ride a bike. It provides evidence that healthy adults can learn to ride independently with the help of a balance bike, a tool that’s commonly used for teaching children. The study identifies five key principles for effective balance bike training in adults, including focusing on riding speed, gliding to turn, building cycling confidence, engaging high motor skills, and using a dual-task approach. Our evidence-based training programme offers a safe, enjoyable, and effective way for adults to develop the skills and confidence they need to ride, even if they’ve never ridden before.

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Learning to Cycle: From Training Wheels to Balance Bike

Cited by 5 publications

References 32 publications

Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?

Learning to Cycle: Is Velocity a Control Parameter for Children’s Cycle Patterns on the Balance Bike?

Learning to Cycle: A Cross-Cultural and Cross-Generational Comparison

Positive skill transfer in balance and speed control from balance bike to pedal bike in adults: A multiphase intervention study

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