Photo by Richard Klein

Lose the Training Wheels: Richard Klein designed special rollers to give riders a better sense of balance.

Wheels of determination roll into Houston

By Neesha Hosein

Wheels of Determination Bike Camp 2007 will run from March 12-16 at Central Baptist Church in Deer Park. Trained volunteers will help campers, age 7 and up, learn unique riding techniques on specially designed bikes.

This busy traveling camp goes nationwide to those sponsors quick enough to nab an open date. The mission of this program is to provide a helping hand to special needs kids who encounter difficulties with 2-wheel bike riding.

Rainbow Trainers Inc. is the program's corporate body. The camp was developed by Richard Klein, a retired professor of engineering at the University of Illinois, and his wife Marjorie Klein, a retired kindergarten teacher. The couple have dedicated their time to analyzing problems faced by riders with special needs such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Klein used his "routine application of, and belief in the scientific method" to come up with bicycle designs. He focused on what keeps a bike upright and stable. With the use of scientific principles and experimenting with different designs he was able to find the right combination to come up with distinctive wheels and "rollers" for the bikes.

"The children ride bikes but at times think we are holding on and supporting them," Klein said. "Some children are absolutely thrilled and so proud of themselves. They can't wait to get home to show neighbors and relatives. It is very common that the parents will break down in tears of joy as they are seeing, what to them is a miracle, something that they never dreamed to ever be possible."

The LTTW program uses a teaching philosophy different from the old "push and let go" method. They believe that falls and injuries encourage the children to fear the bike. Regular training wheels are often shaky and leave the children more nervous than confident about bike riding.

"We don't teach children how to ride a bike," Klein said. "Instead the child discovers how to ride. The discovery happens or is augmented because we create a special environment, and we tweak that environment as the child improves and learns. The volunteers get many rewards as they are able to see how instrumental they are in helping, and in seeing the child blossom. The main role of the volunteer is to provide encouragement and to be a best buddy. Strong bonds are created between the children and the spotter volunteers."

Klein also said that during the course of the camp, the kids are noticeably less shy and reluctant and more eager to ride. Parents of autistic children have told Klein that they notice their child even sleeping better at night and seeming more relaxed all around.

According to Klein, approximately one million children in the United States today can benefit from this program, because if children have disabilities that prevent them from riding a bike, then it is likely that they are limited in other areas as well, even socially.

Jennifer Vincent is on the board of directors for the DSAH and is also a volunteer coordinator.

"My goal is to see this program brought to Houston as a central location so that we can have these camps annually," Vincent said. "I am currently assisting with recruiting volunteers for the camp. My motivation is to see all children with disabilities reach their full potential. Riding a two wheel bike is something that provides self esteem and allows individuals with disabilities to be able to participate with their non-disabled peers in a recreational setting."

Vincent talked about her personal connection with the program's mission.

"My son is 10 years old and has a severe, profound hearing loss, he wears hearing aids and currently is unable to ride a two-wheel bike. I have a 2 daughters age 9 and 5. My 5-year-old has Down Syndrome and currently is unable to ride a bike also. I have a vision for my 3 children to grow up and live independently and be productive citizens in society."

Danielle Singleton, caregiver for Vincent's 5-year-old daughter, was inspired to participate in the event by filming it in hopes that the footage can give other parents and potential campers a closer look into the program.

"Seeing these kids overcome the obstacle of losing their training wheels and learning how to ride a bike with only two wheels is a big accomplishment," Singleton said. " It is a big accomplishment for anyone. I remember the day I lost my training wheels."

Klein's "bike science" research has been ongoing since the early 1980s, and he has tested many prototypes throughout the camp's history. Klein believes in experimenting with different ideas because "reality does not lie" and experiments will "never give you a false answer."

"I am using engineering principles akin to rocket science to cause a bike to be more stable and easier to ride," Klein said. "If we as a society can send a rocket to some distant planet with absolute precision, we can certainly get a child to ride a bike across a (gym) floor."

More information about this program can be obtained from the official Web site at www.losethetrainingwheels.org.