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In the world of cycling, introducing the youngest riders has never been as high a priority as it is today. Justine Saccomandi, an educator at PAC (Parisis Athletic Club) and former cycling champion, launched an innovative initiative this year: Baby Vélo, an activity dedicated to toddlers as young as 2 years old. Her goal is simple: to teach young children how to ride a bike while developing their physical and psychological abilities. 3bikes.fr looks back at a promising project that is already generating enthusiasm among families…
By Jean-François Tatard – Photos: All rights reserved
“Cycling champion, that’s a big word,” Justine humbly says, referring to her career. Yet, her history in the world of cycling is rich. Introduced to the sport at a young age by her father and grandfather, she quickly made a name for herself in national rankings, notably competing against Pauline Ferrand-Prévot at the 2005 French Minimes-Cadettes Championship, where she took second place.
But beyond competitions, it is her love for cycling that has guided her throughout her life. She confides that her son Giovani, who is passionate about balance bikes, is a major source of inspiration for the creation of Baby Vélo. “The idea came to me while watching him. I wanted to offer this experience to other children and share this passion with them, while incorporating notions of safety and motor skills.”
A concept designed for budding young cyclists
Baby Vélo, as Justine envisions it, is much more than just learning to ride a bike. “The main idea is to develop children’s balance and coordination using a balance bike,” she explains. Once balance is mastered, they then move on to pedal bikes, without training wheels.
Each session is meticulously prepared. “We start with a fun warm-up, where children move their heads to say “yes” or “no,” then their whole body. Then, they get on their balance bikes and follow a course with thematic workshops. This can be learning to stop, start, or even steer their bike,” Justine details. At each session, she is assisted by two volunteer mothers, Virginie and Pauline, who help her supervise the groups. The sessions are structured around play and discovery, with a final debriefing to interact with the children and parents.
Physical and psychological benefits
One of the most innovative aspects of Baby Vélo is its holistic approach. The activity allows children to develop their muscles, breathing, and motor skills, while also teaching them safety rules. “Fun is paramount. I want children to have fun, while learning the essential basics of cycling,” Justine insists.
The helmet, an essential safety element, also plays a central role in Justine’s teachings. Having herself experienced a head injury with her son after a fall, she raises awareness among children and parents about the importance of this protection.
A collective adventure within the PAC
Baby Vélo came into being at PAC thanks to the solidarity of the club and its members. From the outset, the club president, Pascal Nöel, supported the project, as did Jacques Gautier, a club sponsor, who financed the purchase of the balance bikes. “PAC is a family affair. It was obvious to launch this initiative here,” Justine affirms with emotion.
PAC, one of the largest clubs in the region, is renowned for its dynamism and family atmosphere. Justine benefits from the club’s infrastructure, as well as access to a secure space, the Jean Moulin college parking lot in Sannois, to conduct her sessions.
A promising future for young cyclists
While the activity is still young, Justine has already observed notable progress in some children after just a few sessions. “They develop not only their balance and coordination, but also their ability to follow instructions and evolve in a group,” she notes.
In terms of the future, Justine dreams that these young cyclists will continue on this path and that one day, they will remember her as the lady who taught them how to ride a bike. She also hopes that Baby Vélo can help strengthen the ranks of U7 and U9 in cycling schools, age categories that are often underrepresented.
A project to encourage
For clubs or cyclists wishing to embark on a similar initiative, Justine has a simple piece of advice: “Don’t hesitate and go for it! The children’s smiles are worth all the time spent setting up this activity.”
Baby Vélo at PAC is still in its infancy, but its growing success suggests a promising future. Thanks to Justine Saccomandi’s passion and unwavering commitment, supported by the entire club, this innovative initiative paves the way for a new generation of cyclists. More than just an activity, Baby Vélo embodies a true bridge between childhood and the world of sport, where learning to ride a bike combines pleasure and safety. By offering the youngest the opportunity to discover the joys of cycling, PAC positions itself not only as a key player in sports training, but also as a true place of sharing and transmission, where the passion for cycling begins with the very first steps.
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