I can't help but to assume they have been forced to ride a bike, that bike, due to their circumstances and not by their choice. It just makes me sad. Not just for them at that moment but also for the idea that as this is their primary cycling experience they are less likely to develop any love for riding.

I have come across this phenomenon with a lot of my kids young teen friends. They are usually riding an old hand me down bike that has never had a lick of maintenance in 15 years. When they are at my house with their bikes I make of point of fixing, tweaking, and lubing, and letting them know what I did so they can understand the concept. Turns out they like riding a lot more and do it more because their bikes work well.