Charlotte camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride a bike

Wednesday, July 08, 2009 3:00 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend | CHARLOTTE — Autism Foundation of the Carolinas will host Lose the Training Wheels, a program designed to help kids with special needs learn to ride a bike, at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo, 3100 Statesville Road, July 13 to 17.

The Autism Foundation of the Carolinas' mission is to assist children with autism spectrum and related disorders to achieve fulfilling, productive and independent lives.

The Lose the Training Wheels bike program has grown from one camp and one fleet of bikes in 1999 to 50 camps across the U.S. and Canada and five fleets of bikes in 2008. Eighty-five percent of children who attend the camps are able to balance on a bicycle by the end of the five days.

Eligibility requirements include:

- The child is at least 8 years old.

- The child has a disability.

- The child can walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane.

- The child is able to side step quickly to both sides.

- The child is able and willing to wear a properly fitted bike helmet at all times when on a bicycle.

- The child has a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches when measured from the floor, not the pant leg.- The child does not weigh more than 250 pounds.

For more information go to www.losethetrainingwheels.org.