Most children with unilateral cerebral palsy (hemiplegia) can learn to ride a standard bike.
Riding a bike is a great skill for children to learn. It can help them to learn where their body's midline is. This can improve their walking pattern and balance.
Learning balance first
Before learning to pedal, it helps to first learn how to balance the bike. It may be easier for your child to learn this using a specific balance bike. But you can also convert your child's existing pedal bike into a balance bike by removing the pedals.
Signs your child is ready for a pedal bike
Your child may want to move to a pedal bike, or you might need to decide.
They may be ready if they can:
- propel a balance bike confidently and freewheel for several metres without losing balance
- handle their bike downhill without choosing to put their feet down
- manage to avoid obstacles and steer around paths freely
Converting a balance bike to a pedal bike
If you are converting your bike back to a pedal bike, try putting 1 pedal back on at a time. It is usually better to place the pedal on to their affected side first.
Ask them to:
- place their foot on the pedal in the low position
- scoot along using their non-affected side
When they feel confident doing this, add the other pedal onto the bike. Encourage them to scoot the same way. When they go fast enough to stay balanced, they can try pedalling with both feet.
Pedal bike: learning to ride for children with disabilities
Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs)
If your child wears an AFO splint on one or both legs, it can be easier to cycle with it on. It can keep the foot in a good position and help to stop it from slipping off the pedal.
Be careful that the AFO does not pinch or rub the back of the leg, especially if the seat is low.
Adjustments and accessories
Some children might need adjustments to their bikes or accessories to help them cycle.
Brakes
Some children find it hard to reach or pull the brake on their affected side. They find the brake lever too far away, as their fingers may not stretch out as easily.
You can adjust the brake lever distance yourself. There is a screw just to the side of the lever. Use this to adjust the distance your child has to pull the brake.
If you cannot do this, talk to a bike mechanic.
A bike mechanic can:
- adjust the brake lever distance
- make the brake easier to pull
- swap the brakes and gears to your child’s non-affected side
If your child cannot use the brakes on 1 side, you can get dual brake levers from specialist suppliers.
Holding on to handlebars
Some children need help to keep their hands in place. This is because their affected hand may slip off the handlebar when they steer.
You can try using grip mitts or gloves, or attaching their gloves to the handlebars with velcro.
Be careful when you do this. It makes it harder for the child to remove their hands from the handle bar when they lose balance or fall. Check with your child if they are OK trying this.
Keeping feet on the pedals
Some children may need help to stop their foot from sliding forward.
If you use toe clips, especially with straps, be very careful. They can make it difficult for your child to pull their foot out quickly if they fall.
Another option is to use self-levelling pedals. They help keep the pedal parallel to the ground.
Stabilisers
For some children with hemiplegia or diplegia, riding a standard bike is very challenging, but stabilisers might help.
Standard stabilisers for smaller bikes are available in most bike shops. Stabilisers for larger bikes may need to be bought from a specialist supplier.
Where to get equipment
Talk to your local bike shop or check online. Some disability cycling companies make accessories that can fit most standard bikes. These include extra-wide saddles, back supports, and self-levelling pedals.
Other equipment that may help include:
- mirrors
- backpacks with indicator lights and handlebar controls
- helmets that can be fastened with one hand
Resources and support
Bike Skills for Children with Ambulant Cerebral Palsy | Part 1 (video)
Bike Skills for Children with Ambulant Cerebral Palsy | Part 2 (video)
Cycling Ireland offers resources on independent cycling with a disability as part of their Cycle Right program.