This is a genius invention. For $100, I think the frustration it will save kids learning how to ride a bike is worth it.

http://www.thegyrobike.com/

There's also a longer info video on it here (skip to 7 minutes):

http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-p...2009#clip244776

Cool idea, saw vids from Interbike on that.

I've been a convert of the wooden walking bike, the one with no pedals. It was originally the Like a bike and the imitated all over the place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf-seURC7U

Both my kids learned on that bike and NEVER had to rely on training wheels. Training wheels are a very bad concept because it doesn't focus on balance. After my daughter rode this for about a year, we put her on the 10" diameter wheeled bike w/ no training wheels. After about 10 yards, she was able to pedal and ride w/ no help. She was barely 5 yrs old at the time. Then my son took over the bike when he was about 2.5. He was able to ride a 2 wheeler at the age of 3.5. He's 4.5 now and has ridden that 10" two wheeler around our neighborhood, including 6.5 mile family ride last week.

And who would've thought that the wheel could be improved upon?

http://gizmodo.com/5427252/mit-ushers-in...l+%28Gizmodo%29

Remember the good ole days when eating %#@! was a requirement in learning how to ride?

Yeah, generally the pain of falling on the sidewalk sped along the learning process for me.

Ahh, the old annual "jump your broken bike off the wharf" event. Almost always good for at least one hilarious injury or two.