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Cycling · Basic · b4

Push, step, brakes

At home 10 min 1 and a grown-up Yard or lane

Ready when: Scoot and glide (b3) done; pedals refitted.

Start a session

What you are learning

Starting off on the pedals and stopping smoothly. The pedal starts forward and up so the first push down gives speed straight away, and both brakes are squeezed gently to stop.

Words on this card Brake lever, Pedal start position, Scoot, Gear
Brake lever
The levers on the handlebars that slow the wheels. Each lever works one wheel; check which is which.
Pedal start position
One pedal forward and up, ready to push down to start.
Scoot
Pushing along with the feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle.
Gear
Settings that make pedalling easier (for hills) or harder (for speed).

Set up

A medium gear; a start line.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for cycling

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Stand over the bike, brakes on. Turn one pedal backwards with your foot until it is forward and up: the pedal start position.
  2. Look ahead and behind.
  3. Release the brakes, push down hard on that pedal and sit as the bike moves.
  4. Ride 10 m and squeeze both brakes gently to stop.

Your part while they practise

Hold the back of the child's clothing (with permission) to pull them back to the centre if they veer; if you are dragging them, go back to gliding.

Step by step

  1. Brakes on; set the pedal at the start position (forward and up).
  2. Look ahead and behind.
  3. Release the brakes, push down on the pedal and ride off straight.
  4. Stop smoothly with both brakes, then try a quick stop.

How much: 10 starts 10 min a session 4 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Red light, green light

Ride on green, brake on red.

Who plays: 1 to 4 riders; you call the lights.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. Riders start on the line, brakes on
  2. Call "green": riders start off and ride
  3. Call "red": riders stop with both brakes
  4. 10 calls; riders turn round at the end of the space
Fair play
A grown-up rider must stop within a shorter distance, marked with chalk.
Points
1 point for each smooth start; 1 point for each stop with no skid and no wobble.
Fouls
No point for that call
  • Starting before "green"
  • A skid from grabbing the brakes
  • A foot down while riding
Winning
The most points after 10 calls.
Stars
  1. 8 points for 1 star
  2. 13 points for 2 stars
  3. 18 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Scoot first with one foot on the pedal.

Harder

Start from a stop on a call.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the child wobbles at the start Push hard, look aheadA strong first push gives speed, and speed keeps the bike up.
  • they stop with a skid Squeeze both brakes slowlyFront and back together, fingers closing slowly.

Self-check

1

Ride 1 minute unaided in a straight line.

Stop and get a coach when

Repeated falls; check the bike size.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains starting, pedalling, stopping.

awiseathlete.com/sports/cycling/cycling-b4