What is it called when the pedals on a childs bike continues to turn forward any time the bike is in motion? Where can I find one? My 3 year old isn't getting the consept of pedaling, and I have a bad back, so it's really difficult to teach. Hum...
In cycling parlance, a bike whose pedals turn whenever it is moving forward is known as a "fixie." Lots of racers ride them for conditioning purposes. It is somewhat easy to convert a road or mountain bike with a gear cassette to a fixie. However, most kid's bikes have an entirely different hub mechanism.
It has been 10, or so, years since I taught my youngest kid to ride, but I am not sure a fixie type mechanism is going to do exactly what you hope for. The biggest problem with a fixie, like a kid's tricycle, is you are either pedaling or braking. The only way to avoid doing one or the other is to take your feet entirely off the pedals and let the machine freewheel. If you take your feet off the pedals, it is tough to get them back on when the bike is moving quickly and the pedals are really flying around.
From my experience, kids learn to pedal pretty naturally and in their own time. Also being great imitators, when little kids see big kids riding bikes, they get really motivated to figure it out.
In the meantime, I see lots of people with a long handle on their children's bikes, trikes, etc. that allow them to push without bending over.
I sure hope this helps you out. It is called a fixed gear bicycle - they are very uncommon nowadays - you might have it get it modified. Are you sure it is a good idea though? I have heard it is very difficult to ride a normal bicycle fitted with a freewheel after learning on one of those. At 3 years old I would start with a Tricycle. They have fixed pedals to the wheel. It will give them the knowledge of turn the pedal to move, and they won't fall over if they stop pedaling. That's called a tricycle.
Yes, there are some track bikes that are "fixed gear", meaning no ratchet to let the wheel spin when you aren't pedaling, but I've never seen a childs bicycle set up that way.
Except for a tricycle.
3 is very young for riding a bicycle.
You should buy the child a tricycle. |
