Philip Benstead wrote: ↑7 Oct 2022, 4:58am
pjclinch wrote: ↑6 Oct 2022, 4:12pm
I wouldn't approach it by "BMI" specifically..
If a rider has trouble getting going on
the most efficient means of moving going for what boils down to reasons of being unfit/overweight I'd say they should try a trike (probably with relatively with low gearing available), and I'd hope such could be made available as a loanable, accessible cycle that would also cover balance/confidence/disability issues in the area.
That way you get their weight out of the picture by giving them an intrinsically balanced, weight bearing cycle, and if they can walk they can pedal such a machine with considerably less effort than that. Using this approach a cycle actually helps them as a mobility aid which might give them encouragement to do more, rather than dread cycling because they struggle.
.that is neaver going to happen, this school course. The child is fat he need to reduce their weight kids in the go to sweet shop and drink sugary drinks the child does not play football so does not run around enough.
While I understand you can't rustle up a trike at a moment's notice if there isn't one there now, and while I also appreciate that being obese isn't in this child's best interest, I think you underestimate the degree to which formally disabled people use cycles as a mobility aid by making it easier to get around than by walking. It's also the case that just as you can't make a trike appear with a snap of your fingers, that's actually going to be easier and potentially a much quicker solve than getting someone with trouble controlling their weight to lose a substantial part of it.
He's overweight... but a cycle is weight bearing, so that takes away a lot of his problems right there.
He runs out of puff easily... but a cycle is the most efficient way of getting round on a smooth surface ever invented, so that takes away a lot of his problems right there.
How does he get to the sweetshop? I would suggest probably by walking? If he can walk, supporting a large weight, then he can potentially cycle a lot more easily. Now, it may well be that he can't cycle as easily as others in the same group, but Bikeability isn't about speed, it's about control (L1) and interaction (L2 & 3). If you're going at double walking pace you should be using less energy than if you're walking. If you go on a CTC club run you might reasonably expect a "no drop" policy for the slower riders... why would Bikeability be any different?
Pete.
Often seen riding a bike around Dundee...