tell her unicycling is much safer than bicycling, and is very good exercise. Also tell her unicycling will help you build up your fragile self esteem, you’ll build life skills that will last you a lifetime, and,(you say) “gosh darnit, let me do what I want for a change! I’m not a mama’s boy! I’m a big boy now!”
It’s not nearly as dangerous as you’d think. You always fall forwards or backwards right on your feet when learning, just like getting off. It’s only as dangerous as you make it, ride within your comfort zone and you’ll be fine.
Safety is why I really got into unicycling. I got hit too many times commuting by bike. As soon as I switched to unicycle commuting people started to give me room.
Also: when learning you almost always land on your feet. Don’t let her see any good Muni videos
If you keep your head about yourself, it’ll be quite safe. Rashness has gotten me what few minor injuries that I’ve picked up. And little kids can do this stuff!
Explain to her that not a single person has ever died unicycling. Also, tell her that the reasons behind this are:
Much easier to fall off in control than most other wheel-related activities. This is because the unicycle has a fixed wheel, that as long as your feet are on the pedals you have complete control over what the wheel will do, as opposed to rollerblading where movement is based purely on gravity, and friction against the ground. Also, it is safer than biking because you don’t have a long bar to get one foot over, it is very easy to fall onto your feet.
You can’t go very fast on a unicycle.
The injuries that do occur from unicycling are relatively minor, and will very rarely result in any permanent damage.
Also mention that it will help you have better self discipline and self esteem. It also may be wise to mention that it is good to get slightly hurt every now and then, because eventually it won’t matter as much to you if you get a little scrape or bruise, and this is useful because you will undoubtedly get more scrapes or bruises in the future, and it takes a strong character to get past these mildly inconvenient moments. Also, good excersize obviously. Hobby… fun… nice community… finding your place in life… etc…
Failing that, point out that such achievers as Bode Miller (Olympic downhill skier), Dr. David Brown (Navy A-6 & F-18 pilot, former circus performer & astronaut (unfortunately killed when the Columbia went down)), Adam Carolla & Rupert Grint (actors) all unicycle. It teaches, balance, coordination, self-esteem, and will not prevent your mother from ever becoming a grandmother (I’d like to go uni right now, but I have to wait until my wife wakes up and can take care of our son ;))
Unless she’s paranoid about becoming a grandmother too young… then tell her it will prevent it
It’s fun, and in 35 years I’ve never had any injury more serious than a scrape. BMX and skateboarding, and motorcycles, however, have taken a greater toll. Yeah, tell her you want a pocketbike so you can train to be a stunter when you grow up. That’ll do it… Seriously, Mom, nothing to worry about. They are not dangerous. At all…really. Theres guys on here who’ve learned how in their mid fifties…and kids are made of rubber…(well, sort of)
I haven’t had any bad injuries on my unicycle and I do 6 foot drops lol no but seriously I have had awful accidents on my bicycle that are far worse then on my unicycle. Other reasons are good balance, It’s unique , And lots of fun . where do people " MOM’s" get the idea that there so dangerous they are safer then driving on a high way in a car how many people die riding a unicycle in a year and how many people die or get injured driving on a high way in a car LOL Theres my point !