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From: rathman@hou2g.UUCP (P.RATHMAN)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: teaching an adult to ride
Message-ID: <549@hou2g.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 15-Jul-85 09:54:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: hou2g.549
Posted: Mon Jul 15 09:54:59 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 05:47:08 EDT
References: <9026@ucbvax.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 15

John Allen's book on bicycle commuting put out by Rodale Press 
gives some suggestions for teaching adults to ride.  He recommends a
bike with a smaller frame than the person would usually ride and at least one
hand brake.  Remove the pedals and lower the seat so the bike can be
propelled like a hobby horse - i.e. pushed along by your feet.  Find a
paved lot with a slight slope - just enough to coast down slowly.  A shopping
center lot on Sunday morning would be suitable.  Have the learner practice
walking the bike down the slope and coasting for increasingly longer distances 
without touching the ground.  Don't even try to maintain a straight course 
initially.  When he can coast all the way down, he can practice steering.
After coasting and steering are under control, install the pedals and let him
practice pedalling around the parking lot.  Using this method should keep
falls to a minimum, but it's still recommended that protective clothing be
worn - helmet, gloves, and long pants.
		Peter Rathmann ATT-Bell Labs ..!ihnp4!houxm!hou2g!rathman