Isn't This A Parenting Issue

[ChillDoubt]

Or rather a ritual/rite of passage that has taken place for decades?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27685867

Whilst I daresay it's great from a safety aspect, isn't learning to ride a bike and learning balance (along with the odd fall or wobble!) something that is part and parcel (and indeed thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable) of the child/parent relationship?
I can't help feeling that kids and mums and dads will miss out. Isn't this how you build trust and security between parent and child?

[EDDIE51]

It only took a few minutes for me to learn anyway.

[ummmm]

I don't remember being taught to ride a bike but I do know hating teaching mine. Letting go of the saddle and my heart would be in my mouth...

[pixie373]

Have any parents actually bought it yet? I think just an advance in technology. If they can, they will.

[jim360]

I'd expect that something will come along to replace it in the long run, although I agree that struggling on bikes can be bonding. But then wasn't there something before then that parents did instead? Archery, perhaps. In the late 90's my Dad and I sometimes played snooker on the PlayStation* together, and that was still bonding (we have also played the real thing!)

*other virtual games consoles exist.

* * * *

I did learn to cycle when I was younger, then put my bike away for years and years. Finally bought one again in December 2012, and was terrified that it would take a while to learn how to ride it again. In the end took rather less than a second to remember how to keep my balance.

[ChillDoubt]

I don't remember being taught to ride a bike but I do know hating teaching mine. Letting go of the saddle and my heart would be in my mouth...
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I can empathise ummmm, that's why I taught mine on grass! But isn't that the crux too, knowing that if you had a wobble your mum/dad were right behind you, trotting along with their hand just under the saddle.
I'd hate to see groups of children being taught by one instructor on these things, I'd rather they were taught by parents/guardians, then learning how to ride the roads by an instructor.

[flump1]

Ohhhh, I want to have a go on one, I can't ride a bike.