A new high-tech device that helps prevent people who are learning to ride a bicycle from falling off could make that heart-stopping moment when the stabilizers are removed from a child’s bike a thing of the past.
The Gyrowheel replaces a bicycle’s standard front wheel and houses a battery-operated gyroscope that is able to correct wobbles, even during a turn.
The designers claim that the Gyrowheel encourages a good riding technique, resulting in a ‘natural and smooth transition to conventional two-wheeled riding’.
The 12” Gyrobike Gyrowheel will be launched on December 1, 2009, and will sell for around £65 from thegyrobike.com
Learning to ride a bicycle
Children have been learning to cycle by riding bikes fitted with stabilizers for generations, but there are alternative methods that claim to be better.
Balance bikes are a low-tech alternative to the Gyrowheel – in essence they are little more than a conventional child’s bike that has had its pedals removed.
The makers of these bikes highlight the risk that a stabilizer wheel can catch on the ground during a turn and throw the rider off the bike and that by allowing the novice rider to master balance ahead of pedalling, and even braking, balance bikes make learning to ride quicker and less likely to result in bruises.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Learning to ride a bike is more important than how one learns and fitting a bike with stabilizers is the cheapest, if not the quickest, way to do it.”
Cycle insurance
It’s important to shop around before buying cycle insurance – many providers charge extras that you can get included for free if you do your homework. For example, every cycle insurance policy from www.ilovemybike.co.uk includes the following and costs from just 33 pence per day:
- Third party cover up to £5m
- Cover for theft, accidental damage and vandalism (new-for-old) RACE COVER INCLUDED
- Personal accident cover up to £20,000
- Bicycle Rescue (worth £34 on its own)
- 90 days’ worldwide cover
- ‘Get You Home’ – a taxi home should your bike be stolen or damaged
- No claims discount up to 40%
- Discount of 40% for folding bikes
- Hire bike
0 Comments View now