Growing up in a small town in India during the 1960s, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike. Only boys were allowed to ride bikes back then. I have always wanted to learn, but was afraid of falling.
In late 2014, I came across Strider Bikes at a National Park and Recreation Conference. The concept of learning to balance first and then to pedal made sense to me and I decided to give it a try when the weather turned nice. I bought a Strider Bike in spring 2015 right before Easter and I was able to balance on it rather quickly. The bike is lightweight and very manageable, which made me feel comfortable on it. I was thrilled when I first balanced on the Strider Bike, and I kept riding it for hours that day.
My children bought me a regular bike as a gift for Mother’s Day and I was able to learn pretty fast since I already learned to balance on the Strider. I now can ride a bike!
I would not have been able to do this without the Strider Bike! Thanks to Lori at Strider Bikes for all her help as I was trying to decide on a bike and also afterwards by checking on my progress.
Times have changed in India, even in the small town where I grew up. It is now a common sight to see girls and women on their bikes, scooters, and mopeds. I am glad that I had the opportunity to learn, even though it is at age 54! And again, it wouldn’t have happened without Strider! I have decided to keep the Strider for its sentimental value. All the children in my family will sure be using Strider Bikes in the future to learn to ride a bike instead of training wheels.
-Susie Kuruvilla, CPA, CPRP
