Olympic cyclist's seal of approval (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Olympic cyclist's seal of approval

11:50am Monday 10th December 2007

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INSPIRED by watching their own children learn to ride, a Watford osteopath and her husband have launched a wooden learner bike that has been endorsed by an Olympic cyclist.

Named after their four-year-old son, the Steady Eddie Bike is the brainchild of Ian and Liz Cunningham.

The pair designed the pedal-less toy as their children, Charlotte, six, and Eddie, four, began learning to ride.

Liz, 41, principal of Elizabeth Huzzey & Associates Osteopathic Practice, said: "I learned to ride aged seven the hard way, trying to balance, steer, pedal and brake all at once on a heavy metal bike which often ended up on top of me. My poor dad's back would be killing him after 20 minutes' running along beside me holding my saddle."

Wanting to make it easier and safer for their own children, 18 months ago, they set about designing the bike.

"People would regularly stop us when we were out with the children when they were first learning to ride," explained Liz, a former Parmiter's pupil, who was born and grew up in Watford.

"Their first comment was usually along the lines of where did you get it so I can get one?'."

Many months and six prototypes later, the European legislative standard-approved Steady Eddie was born.

"Eddie and his sister Charlotte were the inspiration for our company and Eddie is still our best advert," said Ian, a keen amateur road-racing cyclist who completed the amateur leg of the Tour de France in bronze position this year.

"People are just amazed that someone so small can be so confident on two wheels. It's not until you see Eddie doing his figure of eights, picking it up, turning it round without a care in the world that you realise its potential."

Everyday Cycling, the leisure arm of British Cycling, the sport's governing body, has pronounced the bike 'a hit,' praising its affordability at £79.99 and calling it: "Well made, stylish, fun and well thought out." To read its full product review, visit www.everydaycycling.com.

Former Olympic and World Championship silver medallist, track cyclist Bryan Steel has also endorsed the bike, saying: "The Steady Eddie is a great investment for any family with toddlers and a wonderful learning tool for introducing children to cycling at a much earlier age and building their confidence and independence.

The father-of-one and national youth sports specialist added: "It allows children to concentrate on the basics of balancing and coordination without having to worry about pedalling and braking - making the transition to a conventional bike a swift, painless, natural next step.

"I've got a Steady Eddie for my two-year-old daughter and as soon as she's big enough she'll be on it."

The bike, which has three adjustable saddle heights, is made of lightweight birch plywood, weighs just 3kg and has solid but soft-ride tyres which won't puncture. It also has a convenient central handle for easy carrying and two removable saddle covers in pink and blue so it can be passed onto younger siblings, cousins and friends.

"Cycling's about having fun," said Liz, "the Steady Eddie makes that possible without the agonies of stabilisers or the bangs and scraped usually associated with learning to ride."

For more information about the bike visit: www.SteadyEddieBikes.co.uk or call 01442 862588

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