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Test for bicycle training readiness: http://www.pedalmagic.com/Ready.htm Visual tools: http://www.slatersoftware.com/Bicycle%20Safety.pdf - bike safety written in PECS http://www.slatersoftware.com/BikeRules%20of%20the%20Road.pd f - bike rules of the road, reminder cards. http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/Social_Narratives_(Social_Sto ries™__&__Power_Card)_Bank_files/Bike%20Rules.pdf - illustrated social story about wearing a helmet http://www.pedalmagic.com/ - downloadable video/software recommended by one of our members. Costs $21.95 Helpful information and bike programs: http://www.losethetrainingwheels.org - Adapted bicycling program that holds camps all over the US. Their website also has potentially helpful information for do-it-yourselfers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7HsWf8cbI&feature=email - New York has a program of free classes, using the technique of teaching balance first by lowering the seat and taking off the pedals. News report here on youtube. Tandem bike adaptors: Another option would be an adaptor which turn a regular bike into a tandem bike (aka bicycle built for 2). Here are some brands to look into. Note: I don't have any experience with these products, and I have no connection with the people who make them. PathFinder by In Step - production discontinued, but might be available on e-bay Pedal Partner (by Gandy) Cyclemorph Buddy Bikes (see www.buddybikes.com) Training wheels: http://www.fatwheels.com/WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Testim.htm http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11978&am p;am p;am p;am p;PN=8&TPN=1 http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14888&am p;am p;am p;am p;KW=bike - my eldest son's success story Any other resources to add? My youngest son (age 7) learned this weekend, in the course of about half an hour (he had ridden with training wheels for a couple years, but never that much). We used this technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7HsWf8cbI&feature=email - New York has a program of free classes, using the technique of teaching balance first by lowering the seat and taking off the pedals. News report here on youtube. Here's how we used the technique: Step 1: Pedals are removed by unscrewing them from the inside. Step 2: Demonstrate to your child how to take giant steps to get the pedal-less bike moving. Step 3: Let your child try. It worked well for my son to take three giant steps then lift his feet. After a short time of experiencing that he was capable of balancing, he wanted the pedals back on. Step 4: Replace the pedals. Note: If you have trouble screwing them on again it's probably because you've gotten a little dirt/sand in the hole. Step 5: Practice starting pedaling. It works extra good on a very slight slope. I held the back of the bike but let go as soon as he kicked off or pedaled to start. If he fell, I praised him for falling with control. Step 6: Our son had a tendency to drag his feet to brake, so we practiced using the brakes to make skid marks. Step 7: Free practice. The whole experience was easy and pleasant for us all. He did fall a couple times because he wanted to continue practicing even after he was getting a little tired, and because he was getting a little bold (going down our big hill). But he got a bandaid and got right back on his bike. To all of you working on teaching your kids to ride a bike, good luck!
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