• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Pregnancy
  • Gift Ideas
  • Parenting
  • Kitchen
  • For Moms
  • Outdoors
  • Inspiring Moms

Mommy High Five

Making Life Simple

Follow Us

Facebookpinterestrssyoutubeinstagram
You are here: Home / Special Needs / Special Needs Bike Camp

Special Needs Bike Camp

July 25, 2018 By Susan

Our daughter has wanted to ride a bike since she was very young. We have spent years (and lots of money) trying to teach her. A variety of different bikes have been attempted, but nothing has worked. We even bought her an adult bike and tried training wheels—with no success. Our boys all love to ride their bikes, and I have the dream of all of us riding our bikes together through the national parks in our area. However, with the challenge of our daughter not riding a bike, I wasn’t sure we would ever be able to ride bikes as a family.  After I learned that researchers at the University of Michigan concluded that less than 20 percent of kids with autism and 10 percent of kids with Down’s Syndrome will ever learn to ride a bike, I thought our efforts were in vain.

A Great Opportunity

IMG_3325 (2)Then I heard about a great program that teaches special needs kids to ride a bike. It is run by a non-profit organization called iCan Shine. They run over 100 bike camps (iCan Bike) throughout the US and Canada in both summer and after-school sessions. iCan Shine boasts that 80 percent of their camp riders can ride bikes independently following the camp. After watching their online videos, I decided this camp was something we needed to try.

I contacted the director of the camp and learned there were only 40 spots available, so I signed up immediately. I later learned there was a lengthy waiting list of kids hoping to attend the camp. As part of the registration, I had to give my daughter’s measurements. When I arrived at the camp I realized why: they had brought in specialty bikes fitted to each rider (ages 8-22). For the first few days, the riders had rollers on the backs of their bikes which acted similar to training wheels in helping the bikes to balance.

How It Worked

IMG_3224
Each rider had two or three volunteers to help them. These volunteers were amazing. I was curious about who the volunteers were and why they were there. Some I spoke with were special education teachers and some were high school students on their school mountain biking teams. Lots of the students said they had volunteered at the camp last year and enjoyed it so much they wouldn’t miss coming again.

As a parent of a special needs child, you notice how other people treat your kid. It is so true that people are afraid of what they don’t know. However, these volunteers were so good with the riders. Great relationships were formed between riders and the volunteers who helped them. I noticed several of them exchanging contact information at the end of the camp.

After the riders had mastered peddling, steering, and turning, they were put on a tandem bike with one of the staff members. This was one of our daughter’s favorite parts of the camp. She was so excited to be riding a bike with no assistive devices. It didn’t bother her that someone else was with her on the bike. In fact, I think she loved that part! Riding the tandem bike with an experienced rider seemed to give our daughter a lot of confidence. She was excited about the next step!

IMG_3290 (2)
Next, the rollers were removed from the bikes and a bike trainer handle was added. This was a long handle on the back of the bike that allowed the staff member to run alongside the riders and help with balance. After a few minutes, the staff member would let go and allow the rider to ride independently (depending on ability).

  • Here’s where you can purchase the bike trainer handle.

Finally, on the last day of the camp, the riders rode their own bikes. We opted to have a bike trainer handle installed on our daughter’s bike (which was well worth it). The staff members gave me pointers as I ran alongside, holding the handle to help with balance as needed. I appreciated the tips they gave and the tricks they showed me to help our daughter become even more confident on her bike. While I have helped our boys learn to ride a bike, it was great to learn some new techniques that specifically help special needs kids learn to ride. Additionally, I felt this was a bonding experience with my daughter that we hadn’t had in our previous attempts at teaching her to ride (mostly because this experience was not stressful or disappointing to either of us).

Results

To answer the big question, no, our daughter cannot ride completely independently after a week at iCan Bike. However, she is very close. I believe if we keep working the way we were shown to do, she will be riding independently in the next few weeks. iCan Bike was definitely worth it, and I highly recommend it not only as a way for kids to learn to ride a bike but also as a way to increase their self-esteem.

One of the parents I spoke with has an older child with severe needs. She said he has been riding with bike stabilizers for years. They are similar to training wheels but are much more heavy-duty and provide much more stability as kids (or adults) are learning to ride. I wish we had known about these stabilizers years ago.

  • Here’s where you can purchase the Bike USA Stabilizer Wheel Kit.

Benefits

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of this bike camp experience was watching the parents of all the riders get excited as each child made progress in this journey. The parents sat on bleachers and watched the kids most of the week. As each rider rode past, the parents would call out that rider’s name and cheer. The riders all had such huge smiles on their faces.

Throughout her life, our daughter has always been physically slower than other kids. She often feels that she isn’t as good as other kids. Yet, for this one week of bike camp, she felt like she could accomplish her goal. She felt special. The connections she made with the other riders, as well as the volunteers there, are connections she will cherish. She knows those people got to know her and really appreciated her despite her limitations.

Not only did our daughter enjoy her week at the bike camp, but I had a great experience there as well. Sometimes being a parent of a special needs child can be lonely. Parents of typically developing kids often don’t understand the challenges and heartache we face. At this bike camp, I met some great parents who could really relate to me. We discussed everything from special education and therapy options to funny things our children say. We shared some of our struggles and triumphs as well as recommendations. It was quite therapeutic for me.

Find Out More

If your special needs child wants to learn to ride a bike, check out the iCan Bike program or a similar one in your area. If one doesn’t exist near you, you can help to start one. See the iCan Shine website for details. There are also iCan Swim and iCan Dance programs in the works.  See if the weight of not being able to ride a bike can be removed from things your child can’t do.

Facebooktwitterredditpinterest

Related Posts:

  • Good Reads on Special Needs with Susan HartGood Reads on Special Needs with Susan Hart
  • Five Kid-Friendly Bike Paths in UtahFive Kid-Friendly Bike Paths in Utah
  • Dealing with a Lack of Diagnosis - Good Reads on Special NeedsDealing with a Lack of Diagnosis - Good Reads on…
  • 10 Best Budget Double Bike Trailers for Kids 202010 Best Budget Double Bike Trailers for Kids 2020

Filed Under: Blog, Special Needs

Primary Sidebar

Mommy High Five writers and editors carefully select products highlighted in articles. We may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.

Recent Blog Posts

How To Host A Virtual Birthday Party For Your Teen Or Tween

Coronavirus has caused many people, all over the world, to be confined to their homes. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. As the virus continues to spread in communities, the best way to avoid being exposed is to stay in your home as […]

Susan Madsen: Thought Leader, Author, Speaker, and Consultant

For most of my life I knew Susan Madsen as simply a long-time friend of my parents. Her husband Greg went to engineering school with my dad over 30 years ago and they’ve stayed in touch through rounds of golf, long distance hikes, and ski trips. When my parents told me about a backyard dinner […]

Covid-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

Before we get started on the topic of New Year’s resolutions, let’s get one thing straight: this does not need to be a time to apply unhealthy pressure on yourself or indulge in feelings of guilt. In fact, I only set goals I know I can keep and encourage you to do the same. Why […]

Meet Jody Moore: Bold and Real Inspiring Mom

Jody Moore changed my life. Although this may come off as an attention-getting statement, it’s the truth. And I’m not the only one who feels this way; in fact, I’m one of many, many people who have benefited from her sagacity. She delivers messages of hope, strength, and empowerment, which are particularly impactful during the […]

A Very Merry Covid Christmas

  It’s finally here! The most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is a beloved holiday for many. It’s a cherished time where traditions bring families and friends together, gifts are given and received, and there is a little extra time to focus on the most important things in life. Or at least that should […]

More Posts from this Category

© 2015–2021 • Mommy High Five • All Rights Reserved. MommyHighFive.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.