Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a lesson last?
One lesson lasts one-and-a-half hours. We will spend approximately ten minutes adjusting the bicycle seat and the safety equipment, so it’s closer to about one hour and twenty minutes of actual lesson time.
How many lessons will it take to ride a bicycle?
The main goal is to learn balance. All of our customers have learned to balance on a bicycle in just one lesson. All of them have learned to pedal by themselves by the tail-end of the lesson. Some have opted to schedule 1-2 more appointments to make sure they continue to work on basic skills like proper foot placement, proper posture, balancing skills, as well as basic safety. Every customer has learned at their own pace. As a coach, it’s important for me not to set any expectations that may seem unrealistic to the student and just let them focus on slowly building their confidence.
Do you use training wheels in your lessons?
I do not. Even though training wheels have been used for decades, they are not the most efficient way to learn balance. The process I use virtually erases the fear of falling but promotes focus on balancing in a way that training wheels do not.
I already have a bicycle (or my child already has a bicycle). Can I use it for the lesson?
If I believe the bicycle will not get in the way of the lesson, then ‘Yes’! – Some bicycle frames and handle bars make it more difficult to learn. Contact me at icyclelansing@proton.me so we can come up with the best solution.
I would like to try and teach my own child or teach myself– do you have any suggestions?
Yes! Here are some simple tips you can follow:
Remove the pedals from the bicycle. You can find many videos on Youtube that will walk you through the steps. Label the pedals to remember what side they belong in. This will matter when you put them back on. The pedals are not interchangeable.
Lower or raise the seat until the rider can comfortably plant their feet on the ground.
Find a safe, empty parking lot with a mild slope – this allows the rider to navigate down the slope. A flat surface works as well, but I find it slightly more difficult.
Encourage the rider to turn the handlebars in the direction that the bicycle leans.
When the rider can glide 5 times for about 20 yards without setting their feet down and if the rider is comfortable, you can put the pedals back on.
Avoid using bicycles with an ‘aggressive’ frame like road bikes or BMX bikes.