6 minute read

Start ‘Em Young

Next Article
BMF News

BMF News

loUiSe hillieR looks at how to get the young (very young) into motorcycling – electric off-road bikes

Photos: Louise Hillier, Gary Prisk and Julia Atkins

Advertisement

In these days of screens and mindfulness, it is great to think that children can still get out in the fresh air and learn new skills in a safe, friendly environment.

I first started riding a motorcycle when I was 16, and at that time you pretty much bought a bike and were let loose on the road. Maybe if I had learnt some off-road skills from an earlier age, I would have avoided quite a lot of scrapes...

Back in June I was invited to a Camborne and Redruth Motorcycle Club Electric Oset Trial. This is a championship for kids on electric trials bikes, starting from age 4 and going right up to 14. Now coming into its tenth year, Oset Trials have grown in popularity, providing kids with a safe environment to learn motorcycle trials skills.

Opposite page : All sizes, all ages, Oset trials help kids develop their off-road skills and confidence Above: Gently does it, throttle control is a useful skill Above right: Very young ones can make a start... Below: The electric bikes have enough power to tackle slopes Bottom: Picking a way through rocks and roots

What I found was around 40 kids and their parents in a field, all the kids zipping around on these quiet little bikes, all very well organised. The nice thing about these events is that the parents are encouraged to be part of the event, not just spectate. Many can be seen walking the course with their child and a lot of them volunteer to help, observe (score) and encourage all the children, not just their own. It's great, creating a real family atmosphere.

Feet Up

Three separate courses (easy, medium and hard) were set up in a grassy-banked, wooded area. The kids would line up one at a time and on the observer's command have to ride feet up between flags. In normal trials you are penalized each time you put your foot down (one or two points for dabs, three if you paddle your way through and a five if you stop or don’t complete the section). Oset trials add a four-point penalty if the competitor has outside assistance to complete the section, but basically you have to try and get around the course without putting any feet down – the fewer points the better and a 'Clean' (no dabs) is the ultimate.

I walked round the course and watched several sections. At each one the kids dutifully lined up and waited their turn while an observer made sure the course was clear – several volunteers waited by the harder bits of the section ready to catch and help any riders who got into difficulties.

Called through, the riders picked their way over roots, round rocks and up banks, all fun to see but quite odd not to hear a two- or four-stroke soundtrack. When one of the riders did well all the parents clapped, getting a gleeful smile from a very proud child who had might have pushed themselves, gaining confidence. It's a good atmosphere, all about encouragement with no sign of any ugly competitiveness.

I think the Oset trials are amazing, and if you get a chance to go and watch, or you want your children to take part, I would more than recommend it. Encouraging kids to learn to ride at such a young age shows real foresight. After all, these are our riders of the future, and learning off-road skills will equip them well for any motorcycling discipline they choose in the future.

SPeCiFiCatioNS

Oset 12.5 (aged 3-5) Run time – 1-2 hours 12.5-inch wheels Lanyard ignition Key ignition Disc brakes 24v system, 600w motor speed/response adjustable by parent Full chain guard, chin guard Price - £1149 Oset 16.0 Racing (ages 5-7) 16-inch wheels 800w motor 1-2 hours run time Hydraulic disc brakes Adjustable speed and response Lanyard cut-out switch Price - £1769

For more information go to: osetbikes.com/gb

howard Stevens – South West oset organiser

When did you start riding?

Aged 12 on friends’ farms – basically we rode until the bike broke. By the early 1970s I was competing in MCC distance road trials – one of my first bikes was a Greeves, and later a Yamaha TY. I worked as a police motorcyclist, later a Detective Inspector – now retired and am an ACU Trials Coach and a National ACU Trials Assessor.

how did the oset trials get going?

My grandson started riding a petrol-powered Pw50, but then the Oset electric bikes came out in 2011 and Camborne and Redruth club began organizing trials to encourage kids to ride – Oset supported us from the beginning. It started with six entries but grew to over 40.

When can kids start?

They have to be aged four to start and then up to 14 years, all within ACU rules. What kit do they need?

Lanyard kill switch, helmet, gloves, arms and legs covered, boots. The Oset bike has telescopic forks, disc brakes and fold-up footrests and comes in four wheel sizes (up to 20-inch wheels) for different ages. how much does it cost? Prizes?

£10 per event. Oset bikes start at £1149. All kids get a certificate and a bag of sweets, with medals and cups for the winners. Can anyone volunteer to help?

Normally it's the parents but anyone can help. What’s the boy/girl ratio?

It's 95% boys, but girls are more than welcome. What's after oset?

Kids can move on to petrol bikes after progressing through Oset trials, which gives them a great grounding for adult trials, allowing us to develop the sport.

the Parent's view

Phil Atkins (pictured left), father of Harrison (9) and Perran (7), started riding aged 11 and has ridden motocross and trials.

how did harrison start riding?

He had a balance bike from an early age, showed an interest so we bought him his first Oset at 2½. At first I fitted a handle to the bike so I could hold on and restrict his speed. Then we took him to an Oset trial and he wanted to have a go. how do osets compare to mini petrol bikes?

There are no hot engine parts that can burn a child, and the electric bikes are easy to use – no clutch or gears. You can also restrict the speed and acceleration if needed.

What's the battery range?

The standard batteries do not last very long and most people upgrade to Lipo (lithium-polymer) batteries which last for hours and are lighter but do cost around £775 extra. Can you recharge at an event?

Not usually. do you have to buy new?

No, there is a big secondhand market as the kids outgrow their bikes.

overall, worth doing?

Yes, Oset trails are great for kids they are out in the woods, exercising, learning disciplines and new skills.

This article is from: