Naomi Lakritz: Do we need pros to teach kids to ride bikes?

I hope there’s no such thing as reincarnation because I definitely don’t want to be a child again. Not if childhood continues devolving the way it is.

The latest trend is for parents in Calgary to hire a ­professional to teach their kids to ride bikes without training wheels. I suppose things could be worse. Parents could be hiring professionals to teach their kids to ride bikes with training wheels. Or to ride tricycles.


Once upon a time, it was a big day when your training wheels came off. The exact day was determined by your father, who got out his tools, took off the training wheels and then let you walk your bike out to the front sidewalk.

You got on, and he walked beside you, first holding one handlebar as you wobbled about, then just the back of the bike seat, and then after you impatiently told him to let go, he did, and you took off with that exhilarating sense of freedom that would not be duplicated again until you learned to drive a car. His shouts receded into the distance: “Keep pedalling!”

You did, and your front wheel acted a little crazy, and you almost tipped over, but you were riding, and you’d never, ever forget how to do it after that.

Now, Calgarians are hiring a company called Pedalheads to teach their kids to ride a bike, according to Calgary Herald writer Tom Babin’s blog.

File this in the category of “world going to hell in handbasket.”

The service, which has been available in the Lower Mainland for years, is for parents who are busy.

But what are these busy parents doing that takes precedence over spending a Saturday afternoon with their children — logging on to their office email from home? Downloading the latest app to chart the progress of their mutual funds?

Pedalheads spokesman Nick ­Pavlakis told Babin that getting a pro gives kids a ­supportive ­environment and is safer and more fun.

What could be a more supportive environment than your own parents’ presence? And why do the most basic experiences of childhood have to be co-opted by “pros” with their warm and fuzzy talk about supportiveness and safety?

And furthermore — I’m just warming up now — how does a “pro” differ from a parent who knows that to ride a bike, you keep on pedalling?

The parents know this, by the way, because they were taught how to ride by their own parents.

According to Babin’s blog, Pavlakis believes Pedalheads will build the child’s confidence so he or she will have a good foundation to cycle for a lifetime.

What confidence? What foundation? It’s a moment in time, one of many in a child’s life. Riding bikes as a kid is fun. Whether the child pursues cycling as an adult — who cares? Why does every little thing have to carry momentous portent for the distant future?

My two brothers and I learned to ride bicycles on a stretch of sidewalk chalky with hopscotches, in front of the house we grew up in — without helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and the full suit of armour that is ­mandated today. Our father taught us.

Today, one brother bicycles to work. The older brother and the sister — moi — haven’t ridden bikes in years and have zero interest in doing so. In fact, the last time my older ­brother and I discussed bikes, the conversation went like this: “Did you know Mom gave away your bike?” “She did? When?” “I think in 1978.” “Oh.”

Childhood is such a depressing affair these days. Parents are hiring experts to lead kids by the hand through the most basic of childhood events. Parents also do weird things, like scheduling playdates.

When I was a child, if you wanted to play with another kid, you went over to the other kid’s house on your own steam and yelled through the screen door, “Hey! Can you come out and play?” (Every kid was named “Hey” in those days).

Then, you and your friend got on your bikes and pedalled off — with nary a professional in sight.

— Postmedia News




