Learn to Bike Progression

How long it’ll take: 1-2 Hours or More!

What the goal is: Campers will learn to peddle on 2 wheels and become more confident on their bikes.

What the objectives are: Campers will move through the progression steps outlined below as needed in order to gain confidence while biking. The goal is to ride on 2 wheels, but even if that doesn't happen moving up within the progression should be the goal.

What you’ll need: Camper bikes & helmets, instructor bike (optional but preferred) & helmets, cones, ropes, or other improvised obstacles

What you’ll do:

As mentioned above, yes, our goal is to get campers riding on 2 wheels if possible but that may not happen and that is okay! Focus on working with your camper on the below progression, one step at a time and celebrating whenever a camper is able to move on to the next step! It's important that this lesson is kept fun to help build an enjoyment of biking. Most campers will not move through the full progression in one day, so working on this for 1-2 hours per day is preferred.

Remember to do an environmental briefing before riding and set hard boundaries on where campers can go. Look around and decide if there are any risks near by (steep hill or busy street) and decide how to mitigate those risks before you begin the lesson.

Keep reading past the progression for more information on working through each step.

The Avid4 Biking Progression:

1. Walk bike around holding handlebars.

2. Scoot downhill sitting on seat. Look up!

• This is the key. Spend a lot of time scooting.

• Avoid holding the back of the seat in the “traditional” way.

3. Hold up feet as long as possible—coasting downhill.

4. Touch one pedal with either foot.

5. Touch pedals with both feet.

6. PEDAL! PEDAL! PEDAL!

***If possible, instructors should model each step on their bike first before campers join in.

Step 1: Walking with our bikes

• Helmets: Why do we always wear a helmet when we bike? Fit the helmet so the strap is loose enough to fit two fingers inside, but not so loose that it can slide off the chin. How do we set our helmets down? Happy Turtle/Sad Turtle (Happy turtle=right side up, Sad Turtle=upside down).

• Hold both handlebars-no sitting yet, you should still be to the side of your bike! Make sure to leave plenty of room for your friends if riding in a group (or even a big, stinky elephant!) and practice stopping, too.

• Hold both handlebars and walk your bike straight then try a wide turn. Next, walk in a big circle.

• Now practice getting on and off the bikes. Demonstrate how to lift one leg over the center bar or seat to straddle the bike, then how to lift one leg to get off the bike. Have campers practice.

• Next, move on to walking the bike while straddling the center bar (walk your shins on the peddles!). Go in a straight line and then try going in a circle.

Step 2: Scooting while sitting

• Nice work everyone! Now we're going to scoot while sitting on our seats. Instructor: make sure the seats are low for our learn to bike campers. They should comfortable be able to put both feet on the ground while learning.

• Now get on the bikes and sit on the seats. Roll your bike while walking, taking increasingly larger strides (Monster Steps!) as the campers gain confidence. A slight downhill can be helpful here. Start by going in a straight line and then try some turns.

• As their strides get bigger and they gain more confidence, have them increase the speed of their steps.

Step 3: Holding up feet

• Campers can now work on hopping and keeping their feet off the ground for as long as possible.

• How long can they coast while their feet are up?

• Have them practice in straight lines and in turns.

Step 4 & 5: Peddle Taps

• Now that campers are confident in coasting while holding up their feet, it's time to work on peddle taps!

• Start with single foot peddle taps. While coasting, have campers raise one of their feet long enough to just tap the peddle. Try the other foot.

• Have them practice tapping with opposite feet, then BOTH feet at the same time.

• Lots of practice here- this is a key step in the progression. Have them go straight and make turns.

Step 6: Peddle! Peddle! Peddle!

• Make sure campers understand how to use the brakes on their bikes (peddle brakes, hand brakes, etc.).

• Now that they are confident in raising their feet to the peddles, it's time to start peddling. Provide lots of encouragement.

*** Before heading out to bike in the neighborhood or nearby trails, be sure to get your plan approved by parents and review the curriculum for Trail or Urban Riding.