Best Not to Bike Alone
September 6, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Police officers in Freehold, New Jersey, rescued 6-year-old Jahmir Mayfield from biking into traffic. Jahmar has autism and ADHD and had just learned to ride a bike; today’s Asbury Park Press noted that he has a tendency to wander for home and wears a “global positioning tracking device around his wrist.” I have to keep knock on wood, but so far Charlie not been once inclined to take his bike out and strap on his helmet (yes, he always insists on wearing it) and head for the streets on his own. He seems to equate bike-riding with Jim going with him too and I think for now, best he keep thinking that. It’s the downside of freedom of movement.
Six years old seems far too young to be anywhere alone, I think. I like the idea of the safety watch. But, at the same time I would rather just be near or know someone else was. We do live on a very busy street though. M has been a “bolter”. You gotta watch her like a hawk.
wow, either I’m over protective or they aren’t protective enough. Casey too only relates bike rides with dad, and that is one thing I say for sure that he would never hop on his bike and go take a ride. It’s like pulling teeth to get him to ride anyway. Now strolling off to the nearby Wendy’s without my knowledge? Wouldn’t put it past him!
Last year Charlie seemed to get a “homing sense”—-he’ll go out the door, but stay right by the car or in the driveway and not go anywhere. We hurry out after him of course…….he just seems to have learned, no leaving home unaccompanied. Not a bad thing to learn, obviously!
Ugh- we’re having problems with “biking alone” at the moment. One of my 12 year old girls very much wants to bike by herself, but I just can’t see it happening at least for the foreseeable future. Although she’s very good on her bike and very cognizant of road safety as well as being relatively competent at dealing with people and knowing her way around, I can’t imagine what would happen if she got into an unforeseen situation. If someone tried to talk to her when she wasn’t ready, if a car crash happened near her, if a dog ran out at her. I feel so badly telling her that she needs to wait for someone to go with her all of the time as she is making such huge progress and becoming more independent every day, but it’s just too big a step right now. Right now I want it to snow so it won’t be an issue for a few more months!
So far Gus hasn’t tried to take off on his bike, but he has sped away on his (or his sister’s scooter). He usually doesn’t go far, but he never seems to be aware of traffic, and that scares me.
We’re attempting a 6 mile family ride today – wish us luck!
Being a single mom, I can’t be 2 places at once. If one son wants to ride his bike and other doesn’t, I have a dilemma. We started out small, riding to the end of of the block and back. Then riding around the block. It worked until A became bored and would wander into yards and garages. Now we are back to riding to the end of the block.
We are fortunate that we have a small neighborhood but A is just too curious to allow him more freedom.