Learning To Ride A Scooter and Bike

When W was a baby, I knew I wanted to allow him the freedom of a regular sighted child's childhood, and not be over protective, or stop him from trying something.
When he was a toddler, it was easy, as we all hold toddler hands when out and about, and we take extra care with them.
As W got older, around three years old, he would watch his two older brother ride around on their scooters and bikes.
In time, W inherited his middle brother's scooter, and I was very nervous about him using it, although I didn't say this to him.
The first time he had a go, was in the garden, and he was so confident, and actually incredibly good at it. No wobbling or difficulty with push starting, and using his foot to push along. It was fantastic to see. He flew around and around, so proud he could join his brothers in their games.

Scooter similar to his

The above scooter is very similar to the one he was handed down from his middle brother. It has a wide foot plate, and three wheels, which make it more sturdy for beginners. It's still in the garden shed now, and W does still enjoy his scoots around the garden. Sometimes he is a delivery driver and I am given parcels from his scooter van. Other times he takes order for a grocery shop, and will bring you back your 'goods'.

He is super quick on it, and on days when the dogs are lazing about on the patio, enjoying a particularly warm day, they do have to have quick reflexes and get out of his way!

As he got older, he wanted a bike. I had heard good things about balance bikes, and after reading reviews, and talking to other parents, I decided to purchase one for him. I felt a balance bike would help him with his coordination, and as there are no pedals, he would have one less thing to think about.

Balance bike from Toys R Us

The above bike is the one I bought, and it has been an excellent choice. W flies off on it. He's so confident.

With a helmet for safety, I introduced him to the local park with the bike. He whizzed off. It was quite scary for me to see.
I decided to come up with a 'call out', that W knew meant he had to stop where he was and not move. 

This was because there were other cyclists (some of whom have little respect for any other person in the park and ride fast, and close to children without a thought or care). However, most cyclists moved to his side, and smiled at him, as he waited where he was, waiting for my all clear call for him to begin riding again.

The reason I used this call out was for the simple reason ; W cannot see these people on their bikes, or walking along, other children on their scooters, dogs chasing a ball.... from a distance. As I've mentioned before, he only sees them from around 3 metres away, as a figure, and then only their features from around a metre away. Naturally he uses his hearing, and sometimes stops automatically before I've called out, as he can hear the rhythmic turning of a cycle wheel, or the thud, thud, thud of dog paws running his way.

I've been told that these balance bikes are a better way for any child to learn how to have bike confidence. Apparently the transition to a pedal bike is easy, as the child has learnt the art of balancing, speed control, turning the handle bars. and stopping (no breaks on the balance bike, but the child learns to slow down).

Time will tell if this applies to W. For now he is happy with his current bike, and feels like he is keeping up with his older brothers.