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Lose The Training Wheels™ is more than just a bike-riding program. For many children, it is a seemingly impossible task they can master in less than a week. Within days of learning to ride, many children exhibit independent behaviors for the first time. This achievement, in turn, creates a gateway of opportunity, helping them gain assurance and self-reliance in many other aspects of their lives. For more info: www.losethetrainingwheels.org

Increase in self esteem & self confidence: Success at bike camp opens a new world of faith in one’s own ability to succeed in all aspects of life.

Inclusion:  Riding a bike independently allows for a lifetime of participation with family, friends, and groups.

Positive change:  After success at bike camp, participants and their families raise expectations of themselves in other areas of their lives.

Improved quality of life through recreation:  Recreation relieves depression, reduces stress, and promotes social bonds and personal growth.

Independent Transportation:  Learning to ride a bicycle can provide transportation  to school, work, or to a friend’s house when driving may not be an option.

You’ll believe it when you see it!
 

You may be wondering how a child with a disability can learn to ride a bike in 5 days.  

Lose The Training Wheels provides special equipment and a proven process that boasts a 70% success rate for getting campers on a regular 2 wheel bicycle by the end of the week.  This is no small feat and in many cases seemed to be an impossible accomplishment.

Some campers are able to ride independently at home after the camp.  Others may need significant practice with a spotter before they can ride independently.  Each camper is unique and will be given individualized support from the Lose the Training Wheels professionals, therapists, and personal spotters.

How the process works

The purpose of the first day or two of camp is to get campers on a bicycle.  Once they are on the bike, they work on achieving comfort in pedaling, maintaining balance, and using the handlebars to steer. The primary objectives are to maintain a forward visual focus, pedal continuously, initiate handlebar steering actions and consequently remain upright.  Self-starting, turning, braking, and navigation are secondary.  These skills are addressed only after rudimentary balance is achieved on a conventional bicycle.

"We don't teach anyone to ride per se, the adapted bicycles do the teaching"

As campers learn to balance on a roller like a rolling pin, they are progressively given more “tippy” rollers.  Each camper is challenged according to their individual readiness.  It is only after they have developed the muscle memory and confidence on a challenging roller when they are transferred to a two-wheel bike. 

Often a camper will try out a specialized tandem bike with an adult in the back and the camper “steering”.  In addition, a camper will briefly try a two-wheel bike with a weighted front wheel. 

Safety
Accidents and falls are virtually non-existent on the roller trainers.  The most hazardous situation occurs after campers have made the transition onto conventional two-wheelers.  With their newfound freedom, some children may pedal faster than their ability to control the bike.  The ability to keep track of and avoid obstacles requires practice over time.  We have the children work on these skills in controlled riding exercises that demand precision, not speed.

Pictures from Bike camp

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