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I first saw a "walking bike" on Sesame Street, when Grover went to the Netherlands and hung out with a girl named Madelief. Since everyone in the Netherlands uses bikes to get around, they have figured out the easiest and most fun way for small children to learn to ride, and let me tell you, it does NOT involve dorky training wheels that keep you permanently tilted over to one side and don't help develop balance or coordination at all.
After I saw this ingenious walking bike, I had to get one for my son. I brought it out when he was 2 years old and he has been wild for biking ever since. It took him a little while to get the hang of it...at first he just used it like a hobbyhorse and didn't really go anywhere. But very soon he was whizzing around, coasting, going up and down curbs, the works. And this bike will continue to be fun for him for years to come, or at least until his baby brother takes it over.
- Highly beneficial for development of motor skills
and sense of balance for children between 2 and 5. At the age of two, children are far too young to ride a "proper" bike, but can safely enjoy the dynamic of movement and balance on a walking bike.
- Measurements and Materials
- Length: 33 inches (84 cm)
Height to handlebars: 21 inches (54cm)
Seat Height - lowest: 13.5 inches
Seat Height - highest: 16.5 inches
- Seat height is adjustable in several different positions.
- Soft, yet durable rubber handlebar grips.
- 12" pneumatic rubber tires.
- Body constructed from heat-treated softwood and hardwood,
coated with nontoxic laquer.
- Seat is padded cotton - removable & washable
- Incredibly Safe
- The gap between frame and fork is filled with felt. The felt prevents the front wheel from making sharp turns, a common cause of wipeouts for young riders of regular bikes.
- This felt filling also means that a child's fingers can't get pinched in the gap.
- No sharp edges anywhere on the bike.
- If you need to stop or steady yourself, you just put your feet down.
- The child is fairly low to the ground, so has a much more stable center of gravity than on a high bike with training wheels where it is difficult to place your feet flat on the ground, and easy to tip over. In fact, my son has tipped over and fallen off his tricycle *many* more times than he has ever fallen off his Skuut. Going around a corner fast, a tricycle can be extremely unstable, whereas on the Skuut the child's feet are usually close to the ground ready to stabilize and rectify any loss of balance.
- Fit
The Skuut rider should be able to sit on the seat and have feet flat on the floor WITH KNEES BENT. The Skuut is not like a pedaled bike where the rider can typically barely touch the ground when seated. The ability to bend the knees with feet on the ground is crucial for proper balance, propulsion and handling. When the rider's seat is at or below the level of the knees, it's time to raise the seat!
- Can be used indoors and out.
With its inflated tires, it's highly versatile. It's the perfect companion for trips off the beaten track, making rough and bumpy paths comfortable for the rider - a kind of all-terrain bike! A rear-wheel mudguard holds off the dirt. My son rides over sand, grass, dirt...no problem. Every other vehicle gets stuck. Inside, there are no sharp edges to create havoc in the house, scratch floors or furniture.
- On city sidewalks, the Skuut is fantastic.
And because kids find riding Skuut so much fun, walking through the neighborhood, jogging in the park, or going to the beach without a stroller now becomes a real possibility. Kids find it fun to whizz down to the corner store, or take the dog for a walk, or whatever activity they can bring their bike on.
- Light and Portable
Unlike a big bike with training wheels, the Skuut is very light and portable. It's only 10.5 pounds, and easily lifted and carried with one hand. No pedals means it's relatively flat, and can easily fit in the back seat or trunk of a compact car with plenty of room to spare, or even be held in a rider's lap. It can easily be taken on public transportation as well.
- Where do Skuuts come from?
The Skuut was engineered in Marin County, California, by Dr. Peter Emblad.
- Does the Skuut come with a warranty?
Skuuts guarantees your walking bike to be free of manufacturing defects
for up to one year.
- Is any assembly necessary?
The Skuut comes fully assembled except for the handlebars and front wheel, which are easily attached. Instructions are provided. All you need is a screwdriver. Tires might need to be inflated. They can tolerate up to 40PSI, but 20-25 PSI is suggested for best shock absorbtion.
- Safety precautions:
- Do not use without parental/adult supervision.
- Explain to your child how to brake and stop the bike by using his/her feet.
- We recommend that your child wears a helmet and other appropriate safety equipment when using the Skuut.
- Please regularly check that all screws are still tightly fastened.
- If you notice that this product has been damaged, do not allow your child to use it unless it is properly repaired.
- For your child's safety and the safety of others, use extreme caution at all times.
- Do not allow your child to ride near streets and intersections.
- Do not let your child use the bike on a sloping area or steeply sloping sidewalk. Do not use in areas with obstacles, trees or traffic.
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Skuut Walking Bike $89.00
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Copyright © 2008 - The Portable Baby. All rights reserved. Do not copy. All products sold by The Portable Baby are used at your own risk. Please read product instructions carefully before use, and observe all safety guidelines.
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