We were rather taken with the endearing little LIKEaBIKE’s at this year’s Cycle Show, a pedaless bike to give small children a helping hand with balance on their first bike. And it seems we have good taste…

Eddy Merckx, the 5 times Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner also spotted the LIKEaBIKE at the Cycle 2006 exhibition in London and decided to buy the Jumper model for his three year old grandson.

He was persuaded to buy by the LIKEaBIKE after hearing how they can help develop youngsters’ balance and gross motor skills. This enables them to learn the skills needed to ride a proper bicycle and is a key development stepping stone for all children.

The jumper model is the aluminum framed version of the bike designed to be pedal-less so a toddler can control the vehicle with their feet.

Eddy taught his two children Sabrina and Axel to ride bikes at an early age and his son Axel is currently a professional rider for the T-Mobile team.

John Stainthorpe, Sales Manager of LIKEaBIKE, says: “I’m a big fan of Eddy Merckx and knew he was at the exhibition but I was surprised to see him at our stand. I told him about the LIKEaBIKE and he was impressed with the design and the way it teaches children about balance.”

“I didn’t expect him to buy one of the models, but he told me he had a grandson who would love to have one of our bikes. When the world’s greatest ever cyclist takes an interest in your product, you know you it must be good.”

LIKEaBIKE is an exceptional play vehicle for children from two to five years old. It is specifically designed to complement the motor skills of young children, teaching balance and control at a much earlier age than traditional cycles with stabilizers. LIKEaBIKE are made by Kokua Holzpielzeug, a small family business in Roetgen, Germany. They are designed with child safety in mind, and all parts are extremely robust.

For more information go to www.likeabike.co.uk