Balancing Act

One of the most important skills that we feel our children should be able to pick up is to ride a bike. The bike is to a child what a car is to a young adult. A source of freedom.

Of course, at this age, when the twins bike, they are watched. Their grandma has banned the use of the bikes downstairs on her watch because she cannot keep up with them. Packrat has given up trying to tell her that she doesn't need to and short of giving her a pair of roller skates/ blades, she won't be able to keep up with Zip and Zippity!

The twins haven't really started cycling on real bikes yet. A good friend from college was kind enough to lend us some balance bikes called Striders from his shop The Little Bike Shop and these Striders have been great!

Jordan picked it up immediately and took pride in being able to scoot real fast, lift both feet off the ground and just whiz around on her on steam. Evan was a bit more hesitant but has recently gotten the hang of it and they compete almost viciously to see who can push off faster and stay ahead.


















It's become a breeze to take all three kids out in the neighbourhood on errands. Put the older two on their bikes and the youngest in the pram. No one complains, everyone is happy and I get my errands done. And because they know that I can't catch them and there are real cars on the road, the twins have learnt good road safety. Always waiting for me at the end of kerbs before crossing the road.

The next thing I need to do is get them some helmets and some real bikes with two wheels and pedals. Maybe the next vacation. For now, these Striders will do until I have the time to hunt down some bikes, helmets and time to do the backbreaking work of running with the bike and letting go!

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