Hook'em up!
In an effort to stem the wave of child obesity, Fisher Price has unleashed this ferocious beast on millions of unsuspecting and eager toddlers, and their parents. Company propaganda reads: "It’s a stationary bike, a learning center, and an
arcade game system—all rolled into one! Smart Cycle plugs right into
your TV, ready to take kids on learning adventures like no other."
Hmm... I guess this is just another entry in the new genre of "active participation" video games. A video game, nonetheless. Sure, it's great to park your toddler in front of the TV (pedaling or not), so that you can get a few things done around the house. But how will he really learn, if he doesn't get any cuts and bruises?!
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the galaxy...
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News (BRAIN), the trade magazine for the bicycle industry reported earlier this month that the specialty juvenile bicycle market is small and shrinking. According to the article, most parents, even within the industry, turn to mass merchants for childrens' bikes. While a handful of bike companies make higher performance juvenile bicycles, of the 10 juvenile product managers, only two had children of an age to ride these types of bicycles.
As long as the bike has SAFELY FUNCTIONING BRAKES, properly filled up tires, and fits the child, it doesn't matter all that much what kind of bike it is. But, please, make it a bike that is actually ridden outdoors. For more on kids' bikes, click here.
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