How to ride a balance bike - Celeb Snap Feed

What is a balance bike?

A balance bike is a small bike for toddlers. It has no pedals and rather fat pneumatic tyres. Most bikes come with one brake, although most toddlers will slow down using their feet at first so choose their shoes wisely (no Crocs or flip-flops).

If your child is a bit bigger, you can just remove the pedals on a bike and transform it into a balance bike.

Why choose a balance bike?

Your child will have more control over their bike and will learn to slow down and stop properly right from the start.

Bikes with stabilisers, are often not stable on bumpy or slightly sloping ground and make your child think they are balancing when they are not. This can lead to a habit of over-leaning that they will then have to unlearn when they are learning to ride by themselves.

Once the stabilisers are removed your child will have to learn to balance and steer, as well as pedalling.

At Cycling UK we believe the most important thing is that all children learn to ride a bike and we are not saying if you have a bike with stabilisers you should not use it. As both parents and professionals we believe balance bikes provide an easier way to learn.

Getting started

If you choose for your child to wear a helmet, make sure it is on properly. It needs to cover their forehead and the straps should be tight.

Checking your bike.

The tyres should be pumped up and the saddle shouldn’t be wobbly and the brake should work.

Getting on and off a bike

You need to show your child to lean the bike and then swing their leg over. It is easier to get them to stand with the bike on their right and lean the bike towards them.

Both feet should be flat on the ground and both hands should be on the handlebars. Make sure your child can reach the brake comfortably.

Practice getting on and off the bike, don’t just lift your toddler on to the bike.

Ask the child to have a go at walking slowly with the bike.

Explain that when they want to stop, they just stop walking.

Scooting

Encourage your child to walk again and push on the ground using their feet. Remember to encourage them to look where they are going, not at their feet. They will need to sit up and look straight ahead.

It helps to have someone up ahead to look at, as toddlers are distracted easily.

Do this many times and your child will naturally sit on the saddle and pick up speed. If they want to slow down just remind them to put their feet down.

Lifting their feet up

As your child gains confidence, try to encourage longer steps. We found it helpful to say “push, push, glide”.

Choose a very gentle slope and encourage them to lift their feet off the ground.

Practice makes perfect, so you will need to try this again and again.

Steering

Once they have mastered lifting their feet, you can help them to steer the bike by getting them to lean and turning the handlebars gently.

Stopping

If they are ready, you can show them how to squeeze the brake gently to help slow down.

Playing games

Play simple games like shouting “Stop” and “Go”, “Slow” and “Fast” to help keep it fun.

Always stop before your child is tired, bored or hungry. A toddler can probably only cope with about half an hour of cycling practice. So take the balance bike out little and often and soon your toddler will be zooming about.

Remember to make it fun, keep it positive and be encouraging even if the progress is slow and you end up carrying the bike home!

When are they ready for pedals?

Normally, when your child is around 4 years old and has been regularly using a balance bike, you will find the transition to riding a pedal bike without stabilisers fairly straightforward as they have already learned to balance, steer and brake.

To move on to the next step, you can watch our video and read more about how to teach a child to ride a bike.

Balance Bikes are an innovative method of teaching kids how to ride a bike without relying on training wheels. Right from the start, your child will learn how to maintain balance while being aware of their surroundings and, oh yeah, having an amazing time. Check out our resources on how a balance bike can help your child master biking!

The Balance Bike Method

This is a revolutionary method for teaching children how to ride their bicycle without using training wheels. Children who learn how to ride a bicycle using the Balance Bicycle method have fewer falls, a faster learning rate, and have a better experience than with the traditional method.

What are Balance Bikes, and how do they work?

Balance bikes are bikes that have no pedals, and children push themselves along the ground with their feet, figuring out how to find their balance. Once a child has demonstrated that they can balance the bicycle consistently, they graduate to a pedaled bike.

Steps for teaching a child how to ride with a Balance Bike

Things you need:

Flat, paved space (a slight hill can be used to help kids get some momentum on their coasting– used for downhill, not uphill)
Balance bicycle, or a regular bicycle that has had the pedals removed
Helmet
Knee and elbow pads and bicycle gloves (optional–for children who are nervous about hurting themselves)
Sidewalk chalk (optional)

Steps:

Remove the pedals from the bike (if using a regular bicycle)
Lower the seat until the child’s feet are flat on the ground (if their heels are even slightly raised, they will have trouble balancing)
Draw lines about 40’ long, and about 10-15′ apart on the pavement
Have the child push themselves along the ground with their feet, using the “lanes” as guides
Once they have gotten the hang of that, challenge them to try coasting with their feet up
When a child successfully coasts 20 feet about three to five times in a row (no wobbling), they can graduate to a pedaled bike
Once children are on a pedaled bike, make sure that the seat is high enough that they aren’t hitting their knees with their chest, but they should be able to touch the ground quickly and easily with their feet.
Before you start to practice pedaling, you should review how to brake (even kids with experience riding their bikes will forget how to brake in the excitement of pedaling by themselves)
Hold the back of the seat (like you would with a traditional bike) to help the children get their balance, and walk with them while they find their balance while pedaling
No need to let go of the seat without telling them–once you feel them pulling away from your hand, you can let them know that you are letting go, and they should also feel that they’ve got their balance and will be completely okay with you letting go
Watch them fly!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Choosing the best bike for your child is easy!

It’s time to buy your child’s first bike and the question keeps coming to mind… “what bike will be best for my child?”. To answer that question, the first thing you are going to want to consider are your different options. There are ton’s of bikes available on the market right now, but there is only one that will be perfect for your child.

You could choose to go the training wheels route, but let’s be honest… the only thing training wheels do is teach kids how NOT to ride. They are hard to ride, control and they tip over easily. Training wheels also get stuck on gravel, are heavy and don’t teach kids how to balance. So now training wheels are out of the question, what else could you pick? You could choose to start your child with a tricycle, but those present the same challenges and negative effects as training wheels. Luckily, there is a better alternative to both of these. Introducing the Balance Bike!

What is a Balance Bike?

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Simply put, Balance Bikes are the best way for kids to learn how to ride a bike. Imagine a regular bike, shrink it and take away the pedals. That’s a Balance Bike for you! It’s just a small bike without pedals that allow children to learn the key components of riding a bike without having to worry about pedaling. There are so many benefits to riding a Balance Bike, the major one being… kid’s learn how to balance! As any bike rider knows, this is a crucial skill for any bike ride to be successful. In addition to learning the skill of balance, kids will also experience a stress free ride. They don’t have to worry about turning corners or falling on loose gravel. This is because a Balance Bike is built to ride just like a regular bicycle. They can be ridden for miles making the fun endless.

When can my child start riding a Balance Bike?

Balance Bikes are made for children ages 3+. It doesn’t take long until your little one will be riding like a champion. Balance Bikes are are a perfect match for kids going through the physical and cognitive development of these ages. To learn more about why this is the best age for a Balance Bike, click here.

Convinced yet?

To purchase a Balance Bike, check out our Balance Bike Shop, and don’t forget to stay updated on social media!

Training wheels stabilize a bicycle so a beginner can ride with less fear of falling. However, they aren’t a great way to teach new riders how to distribute their weight to keep their bicycle upright while in motion. Balance bikes designed for toddlers and preschoolers help little kids feel more like big kids as they develop the coordination skills they’ll need for their first real bicycle. These clever models don’t have pedals, and are built low enough to the ground for your kids to use their feet to stay balanced. Here are our favorites.

This balance bike is so cute and soft, you may just find your toddler cuddled up with it after a long ride around the driveway. It’s built for 2-4-year-olds and features EVA tires so your child won’t have to learn how to change a flat (yet). The plush dinosaur attaches to the frame of the bike, and the seat height can be adjusted as your child grows. Best of all, their new dino-pal is machine washable for easy cleaning after a (cushioned) wipe-out in the backyard.

When you hear a bell ring merrily, be prepared for your toddler to zoom around the corner on this retro-looking balance bike. The silver and maroon-accented steel frame is designed to hold 2.5-5 year-olds up to 50 pounds as they learn to maneuver their wheels around corners, across the rough terrain of a grass-covered field, and down the sidewalk. The seat is easily adjustable without tools, and the bike weighs less than eight pounds.

If your little one wants a bike that looks more like an older sibling’s wheels but isn’t yet ready for pedals, this brightly-colored balance bike is simple and sporty. You can raise the seat up to 18 inches from the ground and the bike holds up to 55 pounds, so it’s best for kids from ages 3 to 5. With handlebar grips that accommodate small hands and large wheels that don’t puncture, this bike can navigate rough terrain with your intrepid explorer.

This Schwinn model is a great choice for parents who want their child to experience a balance bike as close as possible to a regular bike. Instead of plastic tires, you can fill these 12-inch wide rubber tires with air to allow your child excellent speed and traction. The adjustable seat lever, seat shape, and stylish painted rims do more than just replicate the look and feel of a grown-up bike—they might inspire you to upgrade your own to a more fashionable hue.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Balance Bikes are the fastest way to transition a child from their first training bike to a bicycle. How do they make the transition? And how can parents help? Here is a 5-step guide to get your child trained on a Balance Bike and ready for a big kid bike.

Step 1 – Purchase a Balance Bike

First things first, if you don’t have a balance bike, head to our Balance Bike shop now . Balance Bikes will soon be available in select retail stores and supermarkets. They offer both metal and plastic bikes in six exciting colors and kids will love picking out their favorite.

Step 2 – Suit Up!

It is so important to keep children protected. While Zompers Balance Bikes are safe, accidents are always bound to happen. Make sure your kids are always equipped with the proper safety wear such as helmets and pads before letting them get on a Balance Bike.

Step 3 – The Fun Begins

Now it’s time for the fun part; it’s time to ride! So hop on and go for it. For some children, it is easiest to start off standing and walking. Others may go immediately to sitting and walking. The important part is to make sure children are using their feet to propel forward on the bike. The great thing about Balance Bikes is a child can progress as slowly or quickly as they feel comfortable. Just start off slow and move forward from there. They’ll be running and gliding in no time!

Step 4 – Balance

If your child is getting good at using their feet to propel forward on their bike, it’s time for the next step. Help your child lift their feet and continue moving forward. This is the most important part of the switch from a Balance Bike to bicycle. Don’t worry, if they get scared, all they have to do is drop their feet back down on solid ground. Balancing is the hardest part of riding a bike and this is the easiest way for children to learn that skill while simultaneously learning how to steer.

Step 5 – Practice, Practice, Practice

Balance is the most important skill to master, so be sure to make that your child’s main focus while learning. The great thing about Balance Bikes is that they can be used for as much or as little time as needed. Practice is the easiest step in the whole process. Your child will love getting outdoors and practicing and you will love sharing the experience with them. It’s exciting and simple to learn how to ride a bike with Balance Bike.

Just five easy steps and your child will be well on their way to riding with the big shots.
Stay updated on all things Balance Bike through social media.

CYCLING | HOW TO RIDE A BALANCE BIKE?

The balance bike is an excellent way to make children learn cycling without losing balance and falling down.

Here are a few tips on why parents are more inclined in choosing this model for their kids on how to cycle.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

1. Kids’ bike without pedals and without stabilisers

There are so many reasons to choose a balance bike instead of a bike with stabilisers or a trike as your child’s first bike.
Most cycle instructors agree it’s best to learn to balance first, before moving on to pedalling unaided.
Your children will have more control over their bike, learn to slow down and stop properly right from the start.

2. specifically designed for kids

An increase number of users are turning to the Balance bike design, it becomes increasingly prevalent as a learning bike without pedals that offers children a way of learning how to ride, which suites to the body of young children.

Designed for children aged 2 to 4 years (up to 30kg), Balance Bikes are lighter than bikes with stabilisers.
As a consequence, they are easier to handle, allowing children to get themselves out of a rut or move forwards easier on roads with stones.
Some models such as the New Run Ride have a handlebar fitted with a brake lever, so that children can start to get used to using brakes.

3. Easy to kick start

1. Get Started
– Make sure to help children to put on a helmet properly, it needs to be covering their forehead and the straps should be tightened

2. Checking your bike
– Tyres should be pumped up, the saddle shouldn’t be wobbly and the brake should work

3. Getting on and off a bike
– You need to show your children to lean the bike and then swing their legs over,
it is easier to get them to stand with the bike on their right and lean the bike towards them
– Both feet should be flat on the ground and both hands should be on the handlebars
– Make sure your children can reach the brake comfortably
– Practice getting on and off the bike, don’t just lift your toddler on to the bike
Ask the child to have a go at walking slowly with the bike. Explain that when they want to stop, they just stop walking.

4. Scooting
– Encourage your children to walk again and push on the ground using their feet

Remember to encourage them to look where they are going, not at their feet. They will need to sit up and look straight ahead
– It helps a lot when you have someone up ahead to look at, as toddlers are distracted easily
– Practise it many times and your children will be able to sit naturally on the saddle and pick up speed
– If they want to slow down just remind them to put their feet down

5. Lifting their feet up
– As your children gain more confidence, try to encourage longer steps. We found it helpful to say “Push, Push, Glide”.
– Choose a very gentle slope and encourage them to lift their feet off the ground
– Practice makes perfect, so you will need to try this again and again

6. Steering
– Once they have mastered lifting their feet, you can help them to steer the bike by getting them to lean and turning the handlebars gently

7. Stopping
– If they are ready, you can show them how to squeeze the brake gently to help slow down

8. Playing games
– Play simple games like shouting “Stop” and “Go”, “Slow” and “Fast” to help keep it fun
– Always stop before your child is tired, bored or hungry. A toddler can probably only cope with about half an hour of cycling practice.
– So take the balance bike out little and often and soon your toddler will be zooming about

Remember to make it fun, keep it positive and be encouraging!

If the idea of teaching your child to ride a kids’ bike without training wheels sounds stressful, you’re not alone. But did you know there’s a bike teaching method where your little one might never even need training wheels? Balance bikes can be a major game-changer for kids learning how to ride a two-wheeler.

There are two ways you can begin your child’s bicycle learning journey; this article will talk about how to learn using a balance bicycle. If you are looking to learn how to teach your child using a more traditional bike with training wheels head over to our guide to teaching your child to ride a bike with training wheels.

Beginning with Balance Bikes

Why choose a balance bike?

A balance bike (like the Koen or Elm from Schwinn) can help a child gain coordination and balance skills. These skills build their confidence and also transfer over pretty smoothly when learning how to ride a “big kid” bike.

What ages are best for starting with a balance bike?

Children as young as 18-months to 3 years old are in the perfect age range to start their bicycle journey on a balance bike.

How does a child learn with a balance bike?

A child will learn to ride a balance bike in a way that is natural for them. That being said, there are some things you can encourage that will make learning easier:

Stand and Walk: Have your child stand and walk while holding on to the handlebars. At this point, the child will not be sitting on the saddle.
Sit and Walk: Next, you can encourage them to sit and walk. This teaches a child how to maintain balance while in a position most similar to a “traditional” kids bike.
Glide: Soon your child will gain the confidence to sit, run, and then put their feet up so they can glide.

After your child has mastered the last step and is comfortable you will be able to transition them directly to a pedal bike and may be able to forego training wheels completely.

Many children now learn to ride on a balance bike, which teaches them the principles of balance and steering before they graduate to a pedal bike. There are a huge number of bikes of many different styles, models and colours that are designed for children as young as 18 months – but how do you actually get your child going on their balance bike?

You may well have spent hours researching the best balance bike, decided on a wooden, steel or aluminium bike and then selected your favourite model and colour. But what do you do if your child takes little or no interest in actually learning to use the bike?

This can be quite a common problem as many bikes are designed for very young children – and as any parent will testify it can be more than difficult getting children of 2 or 3 years of age to go along with your wishes!

Learning to ride a balance bike

Learning to ride a balance bike is a gradual process, much like learning to ride a proper bike. Some children will take to it straight away, and will be enjoying their new found freedom within an hour or so of mounting the saddle for the first time. Others may be a bit more reluctant to join the world of two wheels, so you may need to employ some gentle encouragement and use some of the tips below to get them going.

One of the most important aspects when choosing a balance bike is the saddle height. The child needs to be able to sit on the bike with the saddle at it’s lowest height with their feet flat on the floor, so they can sit in comfort with their knees slightly bent.

Read our balance bike saddle height guide for details on how to measure your child correctly.

Once they are comfortable on the bike, they just need to start moving the bike along with their feet while staying in the saddle. Make sure they get plenty of practise and they will soon gain in confidence enough to lift their feet.

Use a flat area for their first attempt – the local park or playground is perfect – but make sure they have some protection for arms, knees and heads in case they take a tumble!

The magical moment of balancing comes when the child lifts their feet off the floor. They don’t need to concentrate on pedalling or braking, and although they are bound to be shaky at first they can easily put their feet on the ground so the risk of falling off is much lower than a normal pedal bike.

If your child is quite reluctant to use their bike, then a good idea is to go for walks with them and to take the balance bike with you, with the child riding or just pushing the bike. You may have to carry the bike along with you, but if you persevere and offer encouragement, then hopefully they will soon realise that they can ride the bike and scoot along as fast (or faster!) than you can walk.

Try to make the walk part of your daily routine – take the bike to the shops or to the park with you (as long as it is safe of course), and maybe go to an area where you have seen other children riding balance bikes (or normal bikes!)

Let your child take their time, make sure they have all of the right equipment (helmets etc), have plenty of patience and your child will soon be whizzing off into the distance!

Learning how to ride a bike is one of those classic childhood milestones lots of parents start looking forward to before their kids can even walk. Back in the day, the process pretty much always involved starting out with training wheels. but training wheels don’t give kids a chance to learn how to balance on their own. That’s why balance bikes have become so popular in recent years: They have no pedals, so kids focus on learning to stay steady. But when is the best time to start your toddler on a balance bike?

Most kids aren’t ready to take on a traditional two-wheeler until they’re out of the toddler phase, according to Better Homes & Gardens:

“There’s no set age for taking off on two wheels, but usually by 4 or 5 years of age children have enough balance and coordination,” the BH&G article stated, at which point they’ve likely mastered the art of riding a tricycle. But with a balance bike, kids can start much younger, as there’s less of a chance they’ll topple over. In fact, the website for the balance bike company FirstBIKE recommends starting your child’s cycling lessons at the tender age of 2 вЂ” but added that they’ve seen “many skillful children riding on a FirstBIKE at the age of 22 months” (which is pretty amazing considering lots of kids can’t even figure out the mechanics of a tricycle at that point). The earlier they master the art of riding a balance bike, the sooner kids are likely to ride a two-wheeler with no problems.

It makes sense: Tricycles and bikes with training wheels only give your kid the chance to practice pedaling, not staying upright. And it’s that second part that most beginner bikers have trouble with.

вЂњThe hardest part about learning to bike isn’t pedaling, it’s balancing,вЂќ Chris Cassidy, communications director for The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition told NBC News. вЂњTraining wheels are a thing of the past.вЂќ

As Dr. Tara Cancellaro explained (also to NBC News), the skills associated with balancing and pedaling come from different parts of the brain, so they’ll learn more quickly and with less injuries if they can work on one skill at a time in isolation. And even if it seems like all the other kids at the playground are taking off on two wheels, it’s important not to push your child to learn if she doesn’t want to or doesn’t seem ready.

вЂњWaiting until your child is ready and motivated to learn is really important,вЂќ said Cancelaro. вЂњDonвЂ™t use a glider bike just to pressure your kid to do it faster than the neighbor.вЂќ

There are lots of different balance bike options on the market, and while they’re not particularly cheap (most range from around $70 to $200, according to this breakdown from Two Wheeling Tots), balance bike fans believe they’re worth the money. As cycling instructor Ben Sherratt pointed out to Lifehacker, a potentially cheaper option is to simply remove the pedals from a small two-wheeler and lower the seat (then when your kid is ready, you can just put the pedals back on).

Either way, Sherratt recommends teaching your little one “giant steps” and “kangaroo hops” to get the hang of moving forward on the bike: Giant steps are exactly what they sound like (Sherratt even shouts вЂњFee-fi-fo-fum!вЂќ so kids can pretend they’re a real giant taking enormous steps); вЂњkangaroo hopsвЂќ are long, smooth glides. Of course, there’s no one way for your kid to get comfortable with the process вЂ” this video from Global Cycling Network breaks it down in easy-to-follow fashion:

The most important thing, of course, is that your child always wears a helmet no matter what kind of bike she’s riding (even if it doesn’t have pedals!). Making sure she gets in the habit now is essential for a lifetime of safe cycling.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Why Buy a Balance Bike?

When it comes to buying your child’s first bike there are a lot of things that come into mind. Will it be safe? What training bike will actually help them learn to ride? Is my child going to have fun, or just get frustrated? All of these questions are important ones to ask. It is easy to get lost while searching for the best bike for our child, luckily Balance Bike is here to help. Balance Bikes are the best way for any child to learn how to ride for multiple reasons. So back to the beginning, why buy a balance bike?

They ARE Safe

First, they are safe. With Balance Bikes, the risk of falling is greatly reduced because they don’t have pedals. Pedals get in the way and distract children if they fall. When riding a Balance Bike, children can easily place their feet on the ground if they ever lose balance. There, your first question “will it be safe?” is answered. Balance Bikes are safe but should always be ridden with the proper safety gear.

They WILL Help Them Learn to Ride

To answer the second question, “what training bike will actually help them learn to ride”, Balance Bike will! There are so many benefits to riding a Balance Bike. They teach children the correct way to ride compared to training wheels. The most important component of a Balance Bike is that they teach children balance- a key part of riding a bicycle. Children are able to focus on the hardest part of riding and not have to learn something brand new when they transition to a bicycle. Balancing and steering will be mastered in no time on a Balance Bike.

Kids will have a BLAST

Balance Bikes are pure fun for kids. If you’re planning on buying a bike for your son or daughter, Balance Bike is a great choice. They come in different designs, multiple different colors and they are just $59.99-$69.99! Kids can ride for hours on one because they don’t create frustrations. Training wheels and tricycles can get stuck on gravel, rough surfaces or have trouble turning corners. All of these things can discourage children to continue practicing. Balance Bikes ride exactly like a bicycle and eliminate these difficulties. In turn, they encourage kids to keep riding and improving.

So, why buy a balance bike? There are tons of reasons including safety, fun, learning and even a low price. Buy one now on our online balance bike shop or visit your local retail or grocery store.
Be sure to follow us on social media to stay updated with all things regarding Balance Bike!

Some kids take right to their balance bike with no encouragement. Others, especially young toddlers, need a little help to learn how to ride a balance bike. They get frustrated or show no interest.

Here are our five no-fail tips to get them excited about riding in no time.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Ride your bike too.

Toddlers love nothing more than copying what their parents do. Both my husband and I are avid cyclists and my son had watched us riding since he was a few months old.

When he finally got his first balance bike (a little before 18 months), he was shaking he was so excited. Even if it is just riding around the driveway, seeing you ride is a sure way to create interest in your little.

If they have a big brother or sister (or friend) they can watch ride, even better. A little “peer pressure” can go a long way.

Get a balance bike that fits.

If your kiddo is frustrated with their bike, there is a good chance it is too big or too heavy. Pick a lightweight bike with a low stand-over height that’s designed for the youngest kids.

(Need help choosing? Take a look at our list of the best balance bikes for toddlers).

If you already have a bike and don’t want to spend money on a new one, make sure the seatpost and handlebars are lowered all the way. If that doesn’t work, put the bike away for a few months and let them get a little taller. It is amazing how quickly they will grow and be ready for it!

Practice for 10-15 minutes a day.

Repetition is key for kids at this age, so try to get outside and offer them their balance bike for a little bit every day. That said, don’t overwhelm them. Let them try for a few minutes and if they start to get frustrated, move on. Try again tomorrow.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Find a hill.

No, not a big one—just a slight incline where they can get a feel for momentum. A grassy hill at the playground, a sloped driveway, or a small bike ramp can all work.

For some kids, this will make all the difference. This is especially true for little ones who are stuck in the walk or scoot phases of balance biking.

If they need reassurance, walk alongside them with your hand on their back.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Pick some fun accessories.

My son has a helmet he loves. Sometimes he rides his bike just so he can wear his helmet.

Other kids might enjoy bike gloves, a bell on their handlebars, or a basket to tote their teddy bear in. No, this isn’t going to help them to learn to actually ride, but it might entice them to spend more time on their bike.

Go On An Adventure

If you’ve only tried using the balance bike in the driveway, try GOING somewhere. Find a mellow dirt trail, or a grassy field, or even a rocky area. Some little ones love the idea of adventure and exploration.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Bring It Inside

On the flip side, you can also try offering the balance bike inside the house. Leave it in their playroom or somewhere they pass by often. In a low-pressure, familiar environment, they might be more likely to give it a try all on their own.

This is especially true for very young toddlers who are likely to have a short attention span. They might pick up the bike for a minute or two at a time, but over weeks or months, they’ll start to develop skills and confidence that will serve them well.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Practice Patience.

In the end, be patient. Some kids ride at 18 months with no problem. Others don’t show an interest until much later—like 4 or 5. Every kid is individual.

If it is important to you that they ride, the best thing you can do is make cycling a part of your family routine. Get a trailer or child seat and go for rides that way. In no time, they will demand to be riding on their own.

If you have a birthday coming up, you might want to re-think the gift list!

National Ride to School Day 00:10:31

Trinity Beach State School students will ride their bikes to school on Friday as part of National Ride to School Day.

16 Mar 2017
3 years
/display/ News/National/

Childhood is all about having fun and learning many different things. One such thing is learning how to ride a bike -it’s almost a rite of passage. But while most people agree that children should learn to ride a bike, they have greatly polarising opinions when it comes to how children should learn to ride a bike. Should they learn to ride with a balance bike or tricycle?

What’s the difference?

We often hear people deliberating between a balance bike and tricycle but don’t forget the other option – training wheels. In fact, many people don’t quite know the difference between a tricycle and training wheels so let’s sort the options out to get started.

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Balance bikes ensure kids learn to balance first. Image: iStock

1. Tricycle

A tricycle, as the name suggests, is quite simply a three-wheeled bicycle. People also call it a ‘trike’. It comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and children as young as 18 months of age can be seen riding one.

For generations, the tricycle has been a child’s first experience with cycling. In fact, in Singapore, you will often find grandparents taking a leisurely stroll around their neighbourhood with their grandchildren furiously pedalling alongside in a cute trike!

2. Training wheels

This is for slightly older children. It’s basically a small bicycle with training wheels added to help the child to stabilise.

Training wheels help stabilise the bike. Image: iStock.

3. Balance bike

This is what started the whole debate if a balance bike or tricycle is the way to go. The balance bike is a two-wheeled pedal-less bike that children push along on their feet. Children learn to balance on two wheels and push along, from as young as 18 months old.

The balance bike focuses on balancing, not pedalling. In comparison to the trike and tricycle, this is a newer trend and many parents from the older generation are neither familiar nor comfortable with it.

If you’re considering another outdoor gift, check out our Trampoline buying guide or maybe hack your own cubby house.

Why tricycles and training wheels may not be the best idea

When it comes to the question of a balance bike or tricycle, the balance bike is becoming increasingly popular amongst the newer generation of parents. And it might just be a better option. Here’s why.

When it comes to riding a bicycle, the challenge lies in learning balance and steering. It’s not about pedalling, that’s the easy part.

Tricycles and training wheels don’t teach children how to balance. In fact, there’s no balancing involved at all! Neither does it teach a child the correct technique to steer. So if you’re thinking balance bike or tricycle, these are some important considerations.

When learning to cycle, children need to experience the feeling of how steering affects the balance of the bike. When riding on a trike or training wheels, the child doesn’t learn, so essentially, they aren’t in any way learning how to ride a bike.

Furthermore, the centre of gravity for tricycles and training wheels are much higher than a balance bike. They actually tip over really easily and your child has a greater fall than when on a balance bike.

And precisely because of how stable these tricycles and training wheels feel, children don’t see it coming that they can and will tip over. They have a higher chance of getting injured!

Training wheels and trikes are teaching children how to ride without balance, in other words, in an unbalanced manner. The training wheels tilt to one side and create a false sense of balance.

When it comes to riding a real bike, children will have to unlearn how to ride unbalanced and learn how to ride when balanced.

Additionally, tricycles and training wheels are slow, rather awkward to handle, and easily tip on uneven surfaces. So when it comes to a balance bike or tricycle, you should keep these in mind.

Having said that, it’s not all that bad. I mean, most of us started with trikes and training wheels, and we eventually learnt to cycle as well.

Watching them learn can be fun! Image: iStock.

What’s good about a balance bike?

If you ask me balance bike or tricycle, I’m likely to say balance bike. Although I come from the tricycle generation, and never actually learnt on a balance bike, I think there are a few pretty good reasons to consider it.

1. They are so easy!

Balance bikes don’t require children to use their energy and struggle with the pedals. So they can focus all their attention and energy on the most important thing – balancing. This makes it easier for them to learn.

It’s also really easy for kids to just put their feet on the ground and stop, steer or turn. This gives them good control which in turn leads to greater confidence.

2. They help children to coordinate

You know how they say children these days aren’t too good at coordinating? Well this is a good way to help them. The balance bike is designed such that kids need to use their arms and legs to move forward. This helps in building their strength, improves their motor skills, coordination and agility.

3. They are safer, yes they are!

When it comes to the balance bike or tricycle, many parents choose the trike because they think balance bikes are unsafe. Well, no! The seat is closer to the ground than when on a regular bike so if the kids falls, they won’t fall far. And balance bikes don’t go too fast so it won’t be a high speed crash.

4. Goodbye training wheels!

Once you get past the balance, the hardest part of the battle has been won. They can progress to a regular bike in no time. They don’t have to unlearn all that they learnt with a trike or training wheels.

So mums and dads, if you’re wondering if it’s going to be a balance bike or tricycle for your child, we hope you find this information useful. Do remember that at the end of the day, it’s not only about getting them to learn fast. It’s most important that they enjoy the process so ultimately, choose what they are comfortable with and they enjoy doing!

This post originally appeared on The Asian Parent Singapore, and has been republished here with permission.

Our lightweight Rothan balance bike makes learning to balance intuitive and fun with the transition to a pedal bike easier than ever.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Our Cnoc starter bike is the versatile way to develop your child’s riding skills. It can be used as a first pedal bike or as a larger balance bike, simply by removing the pedals.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Beinn

Islabikes’ Beinn range of lightweight, perfect fitting, yet practically equipped bikes are fit for any adventure.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Creig

Perfectly proportioned, lightweight and loaded with high quality kit. The Creig is a serious mountain bike for young riders who tackle the roughest terrain.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Luath

Our lightweight road and cyclo-cross bike. Ride fast on the road, race muddy cyclo-cross, go touring or simply have the fastest bike on the school run.

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Beinn 29

Family cycling, commuting or touring the Beinn 29 personifies versatility.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Lightweight, low-step through design, with performance features making short jaunts a pleasure.

Janis

A svelte step-through road bike that’s lightweight and highly capable.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

The ultimate off-road option for the older rider.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

eJanis

A step-through road bike with a subtly integrated e-bike system offering “just-right” support when you want it but remaining lightweight and nimble when you would prefer to ride analogue.

eJimi

Lightweight, sure footed and responsive to ride with a subtly integrated ebike system to give you “just right” support when you need it.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Guide to using a balance bike

A balance bike is an ideal second birthday present and gives your child the perfect introduction to cycling, building confidence and developing skills in a fun way.

Which bike?

Essentially a simplified bike which has no pedals, a balance bike helps to develop balance and steering skills before moving on to pedaling. When choosing a balance bike consider its weight, design and quality. Our Rothan is exceptionally light which makes manoeuvring easy. Importantly, we’ve fitted our exclusive micro reach brake lever and small diameter handlebar, enabling a secure hold and light, effective braking for tiny hands.

Where?

Choose a suitable location – a safe, large, open space that allows your budding cyclist to wobble at will is ideal. Choose tarmac or very short firm grass. Avoid soft grass which will hinder momentum and balance.

Should they wear a helmet?

This is for you as a parent to decide. We sell helmets suitable for a child of this age which should still fit when they are ready to move up to their first pedal bike.

Technique

First, adjust the saddle height so when sat your child can get both feet flat on the floor with a slight bend in the knee.

Your child can now concentrate on learning the art of balance by sitting on the saddle and propelling themselves forward with a striding motion. Steering and braking skills will develop naturally as they gain experience.

Keep calm and encourage

It’s only natural to worry about your child as they race off into the distance, but try and stay calm. This is a good opportunity to allow a little independence whilst still being on hand for encouragement and support. Bumps and falls will happen; when they do it is important that you react calmly, check the child is ok and then check the bike is ok. Any damage to the bike should be checked by a qualified cycle mechanic.

Ready to move on?

The Rothan will last until the point your child is ready to balance and pedal at the same time. For most children this coordination development happens between the ages of 3 ½ and 4 ½. You will know when balance has been mastered as they will confidently lift both feet off the ground as they whizz along. Having given them the perfect start, your child will now find it far easier to make the transition to their first pedal bike, avoiding stabilisers altogether.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

We are now done teaching child #3 how to (successfully) ride his bike… at the ripe age of 4. In fact he just turned 4 almost exactly 1 month ago. We had #2 riding her bike at the age of about 4.5. And our first was riding at the age of 3.

No, we don’t spend an extraordinary amount of time riding. No we don’t go out every day. And no it doesn’t take longer than about 30 minutes to get it down.

The secret? Balance Bikes.

There are different brands you can use. Strider bikes (which is what we have), Shwinn, Banana and more. But, I don’t really think it matters as long as it is big enough for them to grow into and use up until you get a bike to ride with pedals.

I don’t recommend training wheels as I think they act as the “pull ups” of bike riding. The safety net really takes away from a quick process and allowing the transition to happen seamlessly without messing up their mobility.

Balance bikes help them learn the hardest part of riding a bike, the balancing without them even realizing it. By the time you throw in the pedals they are able to simply take off!

We start with a balance bike super young. At around 2.5 years old (although I know people who start their kids at about the same age as when they start walking). And they are TERRIBLE! Almost without a doubt they can barely move on that thing. And no, they aren’t riding or balancing. But we use it on walks or to play for a couple of minutes most days. As they get better, I let them take it to the mailbox. Then we start riding down the drive-way or taking it the park, or skate ramp. They learn to hold it steady and go fast all while maintaining their balance. And you would be surprised to see how quickly kids learn to move on those things.

Once we introduce the pedals it is a simple process. They already don’t fear the speed, they know how to turn and balance; so the process of doing everything at the same time comes fast and naturally.

My best advice to teaching your child how to ride a bike is invest in a balance bike! Pay attention to the size/age as that will be the most important factor in choosing a bike right for your child.

My top recommendations:

Strider is kind of the big name in balance bikes. They have a nice style and are easy for kids to manage because of how they are set up.

This bike has a similar look without the well known name, but should get the job done just as well!

If you have a child like mine (who loves Unicorns and all things related) this one might get them excited about the prospect of riding.

If your child is much older and still struggling, this is a larger one to give them the same feel of the bike just without pedals. Just because you didn’t start them young does not mean it will be a challenge to teach them.

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G one are the days when learning to ride a bike meant sitting on an oversized bicycle that had two stabilisers attached to its rear wheel. Today, parents are increasingly turning to balance bikes as a first purchase. Without stabilisers, kids don’t pick up bad habits like leaning into corners; they’re also more likely to accrue handling confidence from the balance bikes, which can then be applied to a bigger bike when the time comes.

Scott Decker, product manager at Evans Cycles, swears by balance bikes, which look just like regular bikes minus the pedals. “I would advise every kid to start to learn on a balance bike. My son spent a good six months just sat on the bike, walking along, getting used to it. Now he’s at the point where he’s balancing, lifting his legs up. You really get the hang of balancing. Once you add in the pedalling, the balance comes naturally.”

Rob Reed, a member of The Bicycle Society who has helped teach thousands of children to cycle, agrees. “Start them with a balance bike as young as possible”, he wrote in these very pages. “Manufacturers normally say from two, but in my opinion, you can begin younger than this. Once your child can hold his or her own weight in standing, he or she is ready to explore cycling. You just need to help them balance and the seat will support their weight as they learn.”

T he bikes tend to represent a significant outlay – expect to spend somewhere in the region of £100-£150. There are a few guidelines when it comes to purchasing your toddler’s balance bike. A correctly sized frame is important – children from around one to five or six use balance bikes, so a larger one will be too tough to ride for a toddler. You’ll also want to consider a ride with an adjustable seat height, which will keep the bike usable for longer.

Weight is also paramount. Generally speaking, the heavier the bike, the harder it is to ride. A good rule of thumb is a balance bike should weigh no more than a third of your child’s bodyweight. Other safety features to look out for include grippy tyres, comfortable handles, brakes, and steering locks.

With all that in mind, what are the best balance bikes on the market? See below for our picks.

What is a balance bike?

If your child is a bit bigger, you can just remove the pedals on a bike and transform it into a balance bike.

Why choose a balance bike?

Your child will have more control over their bike and will learn to slow down and stop properly right from the start.

Once the stabilisers are removed your child will have to learn to balance and steer, as well as pedalling.

Getting started

If you choose for your child to wear a helmet, make sure it is on properly. It needs to cover their forehead and the straps should be tight.

Checking your bike.

The tyres should be pumped up and the saddle shouldn’t be wobbly and the brake should work.

Getting on and off a bike

You need to show your child to lean the bike and then swing their leg over. It is easier to get them to stand with the bike on their right and lean the bike towards them.

Both feet should be flat on the ground and both hands should be on the handlebars. Make sure your child can reach the brake comfortably.

Practice getting on and off the bike, don’t just lift your toddler on to the bike.

Ask the child to have a go at walking slowly with the bike.

Explain that when they want to stop, they just stop walking.

Scooting

It helps to have someone up ahead to look at, as toddlers are distracted easily.

Do this many times and your child will naturally sit on the saddle and pick up speed. If they want to slow down just remind them to put their feet down.

Lifting their feet up

As your child gains confidence, try to encourage longer steps. We found it helpful to say “push, push, glide”.

Choose a very gentle slope and encourage them to lift their feet off the ground.

Practice makes perfect, so you will need to try this again and again.

Steering

Once they have mastered lifting their feet, you can help them to steer the bike by getting them to lean and turning the handlebars gently.

Stopping

If they are ready, you can show them how to squeeze the brake gently to help slow down.

Playing games

Play simple games like shouting “Stop” and “Go”, “Slow” and “Fast” to help keep it fun.

Remember to make it fun, keep it positive and be encouraging even if the progress is slow and you end up carrying the bike home!

When are they ready for pedals?

To move on to the next step, you can watch our video and read more about how to teach a child to ride a bike.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Parents are often confused between balance bikes, tricycles and training wheels. Read on to find out the differences between the three and why balance bikes are a good choice.

Childhood is all about having fun and learning many different things. One such thing that every childВ learns to do at some point, is learning how to ride a bike. It’s almost like a rite of passage. But while most people agree that children should learn to ride a bike, they have greatly polarising opinions when it comes to how children should learn to ride a bike. Should they learn to ride with a balance bike or tricycle?В

What’s the difference?

1. Tricycle

2. Training Wheels

This is for slightly older children. It’s basically a small bicycle with training wheels added to help the child to stabilise.В

3. Balance BikeВ

This is what started the whole debate if a balance bike or tricycleis the way to go. The balance bike is a two-wheeled pedal-less bike that children push along on their feet. Children learn to balance on two wheels and push along, from as young as 18 months old.В

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Some parents prefer to stick to more conventional ways of learning to cycle.

Why tricycles and training wheels may not be the best idea

When it comes to riding a bicycle, the challenge lies in learning balance and steering. It’s not about pedalling, that’s the easy part.

Furthermore, the centre of gravity for tricycles and training wheels are much higher than a balance bike. They are deceivingly stable, don’t be fooled. They actually tip over really easily and your child has a greater fall than when on a balance bike.В

And precisely because of how stable these tricycles and training wheels feel, children don’t see it coming that they can and will tip over. They have a higher chance of getting injured!

Training wheels and trikes are teaching children how to ride without balance, in other words, in an unbalanced manner. The training wheels tilt to one side and create a false sense of balance.В

When it comes to riding a real bike, children will have toВ unlearnВ how to ride unbalanced and learn how to ride when balanced.В

How to Ride a Balance Bike

The concept of an actual bicycle is all about balance and steering.

Additionally, tricycles and training wheels are slow, rather awkward to handle, and easily tip on uneven surfaces. So when it comes to a balance bike or tricycle, you should keep these in mind.

Having said that, it’s not all that bad. I mean, most of us started with trikes and training wheels, and we eventually learnt to cycle as well.В

What’s good about a balance bike?

1. They are so easy!

It’s also really easy for kids to just put their feet on the ground and stop, steer or turn. This gives them good control which in turn leads to greater confidence.В

2. They help children to coordinateВ

3. They are safer, yes they are!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Don’t worry, even if they fall it won’t be too bad!

4. Goodbye training wheels!

So mums and dads, if you’re wondering if it’s going to be a balance bike or tricyclefor your child, we hope you find this information useful. Do remember that at the end of the day, it’s not only about getting them to learn fast. It’s most important that they enjoy the process so ultimately, choose what they are comfortable with and they enjoy doing!В

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Wearing a helmet on a balance bike—as on any other bike—is another must. The sooner your child gets used to it, the better. Shop for a helmet together, and let the little biker express his or her opinion. Make it a treat!

Wearing bright colors or a safety vest is also recommended, ideally with reflective elements so he is readily visible. As for shoes, balance bikes are called “run bikes” in many languages, which means that flip-flops will not do—her toes should be covered and ankles fixed.

Tips for Using a Balance Bike

What are some tips to help my child master riding a balance bike?

Keep in mind that we are talking about children between 2 and 5 years old, so the ideal place to ride a balance bike is a park or a neighborhood with little to no traffic. Begin on flat terrain and gradually upgrade to small hills. Although braking with his own feet is very intuitive, always guide him and remind him to slow down if necessary.

Around the age of 2½ to 3 years, children are able to operate a hand brake provided it is gentle enough for their little fingers. Show her how it works and motivate her to practice braking (e.g. draw a line on a street and tell her to stop on it).

When should my child transition from a balance bike to a regular pedaled bike?

The transition usually happens at age 4 or 5 when kids are stronger and taller. Pedal bikes are two to three times heavier than balance bikes and children need more power to ride them as smoothly as balance bikes.

From a balance bike, such as FirstBIKE, children learn how to balance and use a hand brake. The only skill they still need to learn is pedaling, however, at the age of 4 or 5, it is a natural transition.

What are the benefits of bike riding as a family?

There are a number of sporting activities that can engage even the youngest children. These activities generally fall into two categories: those that demand too much in terms of time and money, making them less accessible to most families, such as tennis or skiing, and those that are natural, easy, and socially open activities, which almost every family can frequently enjoy, such as cycling.

Riding a bicycle is one of the basic physical activities most children learn from a young age and further build on in the future. In the past, biking was part of the physical literacy of almost every child. In the same way we want our kids to be able to run, jump, throw a ball, or swim, we want them to learn to ride a bike.

Cycling is not only a lot of fun, it also connects people and fosters relationships—children love to explore the outdoors on bikes with their parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends. The magic of biking is that it puts the entire family in motion—little bikers often encourage adults to get up and moving, too.

Joseph Rumley is chief marketing officer of FirstBIKE, a Netherlands-based balance bike manufacturing company. FirstBIKE was developed by Ralf Coerschulte, an avid German cyclist, product designer, and father of three, with the goal to build the best balance bike for younger children, allowing them to learn to ride a bike intuitively and without stress.

Transition to a pedal bike

Our Learn to Balance & Ride session is open to children aged 3 to 12 years old. The course consists of two 45-minute sessions which develop balance skills through a set of structured games that engage learners and build enthusiasm for cycling.

All children are treated as individuals and encouraged to develop core balance skills at their own pace . When a child can glide confidently they then transition to a pedal bike.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to stay, watch and support.

About Learn to Balance & Ride
The training takes place on a balance bike – a lightweight bike with no pedals and a lower centre of gravity than a typical pedal bike.

Children quickly build their confidence staying upright on 2 wheels with the majority riding after 2 sessions, though for a small number it may take more. From there we transition the children onto pedal bikes with great success.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate how to get on and off the bike
Demonstrate how to start and stop without assistance
Build confidence in cycling and a sense of achievement
Walk, run and glide with the bike
Master fine motor skills, balance and co-ordination
Progress on to Bikeability Level 1

The course is very beneficial for children, especially as many of them will use their bicycles to go to high school.

Hindley Green CP School

Course details

Children aged 3 to 12 years old who are new to cycling.

The training takes place off-road usually in a playground or closed car park in a fun and supportive environment.

Our trainers include full-time staff, long-term contract staff and occasionally some short-term contract staff. All are accredited to the Bikeability National Standard and are DBS checked. However, these are just pre-requisites. Trainers are selected for their maturity, professionalism and their ability to relate effectively to clients, school staff, their colleagues and, not least, a wide variety of trainees. Regular assessment and feedback is supplemented by coaching and mentoring to ensure that they consistently deliver quality training in a quality manner.

We have obtained funding and support from some of the local authorities that we work with. Many classes are subsidised and some are completely free.

Click on the ‘Book Now’ button to find out when your nearest Learn to Balance and Ride session is being delivered and whether there is a small charge to participate.

We aim to make our cycling classes inclusive for all children and our fully trained instructors will be able to give children extra focus when needed.

Learning the control, balance and co-ordination that is needed to cycle can be enormously beneficial – not to mention enjoyable!

FAQs on cycling

Throughout the UK, 1 in 6 children and 1 in 8 adults have yet to learn how to ride a bike. We believe it is never too late to learn!

Our cycle skills training begins by developing the ability to balance. Children begin by learning to ride a ‘balance bike’ – a bike with no pedals and a lower centre of gravity than a typical pedal bike.

For adults, we have a fleet of specially build bikes, which also have no pedals. By removing the need to pedal, our coaching techniques enable you to grow in confidence by staying upright on two wheels. Once able to balance, the next step is to progress to using a pedal bike.

A fun and supportive atmosphere is encouraged by our instructors during our Learn to Balance and Ride sessions, where parents/guardians are encouraged to stay, watch and support.

We aim to make our cycling training programmes inclusive for all children and our fully trained instructors will be able to give children extra focus when needed. Learning the control, balance and co-ordination that is needed to cycle can be enormously beneficial and enjoyable to all children.

If you have any particular concerns regarding your child’s participation please get in touch with the co-ordinator for training in your local area, as alternative training may be available.

You can start cycling with your children from when they are a baby (typically three months), transporting them in a child trailer. When children can sit upright, (nine months) front or rear child seats become an option and can accommodate children up to 5 years old.

When your child is able to balance and ride their own bike, (usually from three years), they can accompany you, cycling on the pavement or one of the growing number of off-road routes. By four years old, trailer bikes become an option for longer trips as do a child-back tandem. These allow the child to take part and pedal when they want to. Some children have well-developed ‘road-sense’ and are capable of riding on quieter roads, with an adult from about six years old, but this does vary.

Strictly speaking no, it is illegal to cycle on the pavement. The exception is where there is a segregated pedal cycle and pedestrian route which is indicated by signs and markings displayed along the route.

No you do not. Anyone can ride a bike on the road. We recommend however that children are supervised and before anyone takes to the road it is worth considering getting some cycle training.

It is not compulsory by law to wear a helmet when cycling but we do recommend it for both on and off-road cycling. We insist on helmets being worn when delivering cycle training to young children. See our bike and clothing checklist.

You can pay anything from £50 to £5000 depending on the type of bike you wish to purchase. We recommend you focus on quality rather than price alone.

We recommend Raleigh Cycles who we believe offer the best mid-range quality cycles for the family, as well as offering quality folding bikes, mountain bikes and elite sports bikes. For quality children’s bikes expect to pay £150 to £250 and for a quality adult commuter bike expect to pay about £300 to £500.

Becoming increasingly popular is the electric bike, where prices range from £600 – £3000.

There comes a time when your child becomes very active, where they need to be made busy by an outdoor hobby. Cycling is one of the best ways to keep your child occupied.

But cycling may not be an easy task when it comes to toddlers since they have to learn how to attain balance while riding. Fortunately, there is an easy, effective way to learn how to ride a balance bike.

Why a Balance Bike?

A balance bike is a pedal-less bike with two wheels. Most bikes of this kind come with at least one hand-brake. Children from the age of two years can learn how to ride using it.

There are many reasons a balance bike should be preferred to tri-cycles and scooters. One is that this bike teaches the toddler how to attain balance. A tri-cycle teaches the child to pedal hence when it is time to using peddled bicycles the child has to learn pedaling and balancing again.

Further, balance bikes shorten the time a toddler takes to learn how to ride. After learning how to balance, pedaling becomes easy. Also, tri-cycles tend to be unstable on rough or uneven grounds. This is a problem that balance bikes avoid.

Below are practical tips on how to teach your child to ride a balance bike. For safety purposes, you may equip your child with a helmet, elbow and knee guards.

Tips on how to teach your child to ride a balance bike

Tip 1: Set the bike right

Before the start of the training, ensure that the bike is well set. This entails cross-checking whether the saddle’s height is comfortable for your child. It should be low but very stable. The child must be able to rest feet on the ground without straining. Check that the brakes are functional.

Tip 2: Learn to use the brakes

When teaching the child how to use the brakes, use the ‘stop and start’ game. When doing this, walk slowly with your child and tell them to brake (stop) then continue (start). They should not be astride the balance bike at this stage.

Tip 3: Take the first steps

The aim of training is to help the child learn the art of riding. Before taking the first bicycle ‘step’, let the child get on the bike by themselves. This should be done a couple of times. Assess that the child can do this with ease then let them take two or three steps while on the saddle. You should refrain from supporting your child too much.

However, as a general precaution, your hands may be around the child without really touching them. This helps the child feel safe and confident. Your child may appear afraid at this stage and refuse to take any steps. Do not be alarmed. It is advised that you be patient and encouraging if your child seems unconfident in themselves.

Tip 4: Take the long steps

After your child has enough confidence to sit on the saddle and take steps, allow them to take long steps. They should travel a distance in this manner. This is referred to as scooting in professional training.

The ideal place to practice scooting is on a gentle slope; where the child neither struggles to push forward nor struggles to stop due to steep slopes.

As the child advances, their speed is expected to increase gradually. At the end of this stage, the child should be encouraged to push forward and lift both feet off the ground. This is the foundation of self-balance.

Tip 5: Learn to turn

Turning is introduced when the parent or trainer sees that the child can travel a distance with their feet off the ground. Avoid holding the steer as the child turns. If the child appears afraid to take a turn, you may place your hand around the steer without really touching it to restore their confidence. Turning may take some time since it requires a shift in balance. But with time, the child learns.

Finally

A child that takes the long steps and turns comfortably may transition to a peddled bicycle. The recommended age for peddled cycling is four years. Remember that every child learns at their own pace, and the fact that a neighbor’s child learnt more quickly than yours did should be an issue of concern.

November 10, 2016 by Scarlet

Some of you are thinking, “I know what balance bikes are! They are a very simple bike designed to teach toddlers how to steer and balance on two wheels.” And others of you may have no idea what a balance bike for kids is. Well, it is a genius idea that allows children to get the hang of bike riding instantly. They are basically bikes without pedals that allow toddlers and kids to master the fundamentals of balance and steering so they can easily transition to a bicycle with pedals. Strider makes balance bikes for toddlers and for older children as well. Strider did provide a balance bike for kids in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Strider Balance Bike For Kids

How to Ride a Balance Bike

So, lots of people know about Strider balance bikes for toddlers but Strider also makes two models of balance bikes for kids: Genuine Strider 16, ages 6+ and Genuine Strider 20, ages 13+. These Strider balance bikes for older kids are great for so many reasons. They can be useful for teaching older kids how to ride a bike and for those with special needs.

Strider 16 Balance Bike Review

My son is 9 and late to learn riding his bike. My daughter picked up bike riding quickly and loves it still but my son did not. He has a skin condition, called Vitilago, and it makes his skin lose pigmentation. Doctors speculate that one reason this could happen is trauma to the skin. Well, my son developed vitilago on his knees after a typical no big deal fall he had when he was about 18 months so since then I have been wincing whenever he falls. You can imagine that teaching him to ride a bike was a little extra scary for me and I found myself holding his bike as he went, being his “training wheels”. That wasn’t working so well for us so I decided to just let him have at it by himself, but that didn’t work so well either because he just couldn’t seem to get his balance by himself. The bike seemed to scare him and frustrate him.

Then I learned about Strider Balance Bikes and I wondered if they made them for big kids too. It turns out they do, much to my delight. This means that my son can learn to ride a bike all by himself, at his own speed, and without my supervision.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

The Strider 16 Balance Bike for kids arrived in a box. I watched the quick YouTube video on assembly and then my son and I replicated the process in just about 10 minutes.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

I was pretty proud of myself and my son and was impressed with how easy it was to assemble. Then I noticed the brake pad was too tight on the rear wheel. My husband watched the YouTube video on adjusting the brakes and he fixed that in about 10 minutes. Then my son was ready to go.

I had him put on his helmet and we went down to the cul de sac and he looked not so happy as he made his way slowly around the cul de sac. I told him he should relax and just take his time and have fun. I went inside to give him his space and his sister went outside to demonstrate and encourage him and before you know it, he was inside telling me that he could actually balance on the bike himself. Years of not balancing by himself gone in one day! That is priceless.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Now he is having fun and progressing at his own pace balancing, gliding, and scooting down our driveway. Pretty soon, I expect we will install the footrests so you can try out gliding while standing on the footrests. Bottom line is now he can teach himself to ride and feel comfortable doing so at his pace. Plus, he can feel a part of the action when the other kids ride their bikes around and he can ride his too. Even our 13 year old neighbor said, “That’s a cool trick bike. I wish I had one too!” They are supposed to be good for skate parks and BMX bike parks so maybe my son can look forward to that!

The patented design of the Strider is super lightweight which is great for transporting it around and it comes in 6 colors. The Strider balance bike for kids, allows the child to experience the feel of leaning and how steering affects the balance of the bike. The balance bikes for big kids have brakes too. By using a Strider balance bike, your child will develop balance, coordination, and confidence! I am so happy that it is already helping my son grow his confidence and feel better about bikes.

You can learn more about Strider Balance Bikes For Kids (& toddlers) at striderbikes.com .

Do you know someone who is a little slow to get the balance element of bike riding? I bet Strider could take that frustration away in no time and help make riding bikes fun instead of scary!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

These are our most popular range of balance bikes as it enables little ones to learn to roll, glide and turn on a bike with confidence and most of all, fun and laughter. If you’re not convinced simply take a look at some of the YouTube videos of kids having a great time on their Strider balance bikes.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

These revolutionary STRIDER Balance Bikes convert to a Pedal Bike with our Easy-Ride Pedal Kit when your child has mastered balance, steering and control. As two bikes in one, it sets a new standard as the best first pedal bike for children 3-7 years and creates the foundation for instant success.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

If you thought that balance bikes were only for little kids, think again. Many kids these days haven’t had the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike or want something a little different to ride at the skatepark. This range of balance bikes is also a huge hit for kids with special needs that might need a little more encouragement and stability when learning to ride.

Combining simplicity and ease of use, our 20” balance bikes for older kids and adults are a great way to get someone who’s never been on two wheels up and running (or should we say rolling) in no time.

Welcome to Strider Sports where we have a passion for balance bikes and getting kids on two wheels.

If you have a little one between the ages of 18 months and 10 years old, there’s going to be a point in their lives where they’ll want to learn how to ride a bike. Some so called ‘kids bikes’ are large, heavy and bulky and can take the fun and safety out of learning how to balance and roll on a bike.

Strider balance bikes are different. With a lower centre of gravity and the drive chain and pedals removed, this enables little ones to balance, roll and learn how to run a bike with the safety feature of being able to put their feet down when they need to. This not only leads to greater confidence on a bike (because they feel safe) but also less scrapes, bumps and tears.

If you have an active little one that loves being outside then a Strider balance bike might be just the thing they need. We have balance bikes for boys and girls and balance bikes to suit a range of ages from 18 months through to adults.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

You may never forget how to ride a bike, but thankfully you forget how you learned. Otherwise, approaching a kids bike would bring up all kinds of psychological, gravity-related trauma. Also, the Tour De France would be effectively marketed as a death sport.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

If you learned to ride a bike back in the ’80s or early ’90s, you probably took the standard progression. It went: tricycle, training wheels, and then bruised and bloody limbs on a newly 2-wheeled pain machine. But there is increasing debate that training wheels should go the way of the penny-farthing. What replaces them? The balance bike. Check out the argument (which doesn’t include any mention of how crashing builds character, you pansy).

What Is A Balance Bike?

A balance bike is a squat, two-wheeled contraption that looks pretty much exactly like your standard bike. The only difference is that it lacks pedals.

The way a standard kid (starting around 2-years old) uses the bike is by standing astride it and essentially walking, running and eventually lifting their feet for a smooth, fast glide. This makes your average 2-year old a tad faster than you’d probably like them to be.

Europe and Australia are big fans of these bikes. Parents offer them as the bike-learning method of choice in place of larger training-wheeled models. They actually have a pretty lengthy history. It’s said the design goes back to 1816, when a German baron came up with a design for a mechanical horse called a Draisine. Which is appropriate considering kids love horsing around.

Bikes In The Balance

The argument for the balance bike is pretty simple. Proponents say that it teaches a kid the most important thing about learning to ride a bike: balance.

Even child development experts agree that the only thing training wheels do is help a kid learn to pedal. That, they argue, is the easiest part when learning to ride a bike. Not to mention, training wheels pretty much ensure your child doesn’t learn how to corner. Which is odd, considering being able to turn is a pretty good skill to have. Particularly if you live in a cul de sac.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

The Case Against Balance Bikes

The only real case against balance bikes is that they can be a bit more difficult to master than other ride-on stuff that makes your kid go zoom. So if you have scooters are trikes around, your kid might be pretty reluctant to figure out a balance bike.

All remaining arguments are simply nostalgic. If your kid can master their balance bike by 3 years old, they’ll pretty much be able to make a seamless transition to the pedal-pushing bike. That means that you won’t really get to run behind them, shouting gleeful encouragement like you normally see in popular media.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Whether you’ve already started with a balance bike or not, just know that your kid will learn to ride a bike on their own time. You just have to support them. That might mean running behind them and picking them up when they crash and burn, or marveling at their balance bike gliding. Either way, you can rest easy knowing that while they won’t forget how to ride, they will certainly forget how they learned.

By Kelly Linthorne October 12, 2017 0 comments

Before starting out it is very important to check that your little ones balance bike is assembled correctly and is safe to ride. The tyres should be pumped up and should be fairly firm. The seat and handle bars should not be wobbly and should be tightened once adjusted to the correct height. If your chosen balance bike has brakes you must ensure that these are working correctly.

If you have one of our Metal balance bikes or Kurves, adjust their seat height to a height which allows the child to touch to floor with their feet rather than toes. This will help prevent injuries if they lose their balance and topple over. Again, if your balance bike has a brake ensure that they are able to reach the lever.

Check out our assembly videos for more information regarding safe assembly.

To be safe and keep your childs head protected make sure their helmet is worn safely and correctly. To protect their hands from grazes why not purchase a pair of our gloves, we ensure that they will fit even the littlest of hands!

Familiarise your little one with their balance bike, you may have to demonstrate how they should get on and off the bike. It is important that your child is able to get on and off their balance bike independently.

Encourage your child to stand with the bike in between their legs holding the handlebars. Explain that they need to walk with the bike and to stop they need to just place their feet on the ground and apply the brake slowly if the bike has one.

After they have got to grips with walking with their bike you can start to introduce getting them to sit and scoot with their feet to get the bike to move.

If you are able to introduce a slight hill or slope your little one will be more likely to lift their feet of the ground and balance. It is recommended that they do this on a grass area to help cushion a fall.

Once they’ve mastered the art of lifting their feet off the ground you can then introduce steering. This is where their balance will improve as they can lean and turn the handlebar at the same time!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Learning how to ride a bike is one of the biggest accomplishments in a young child’s life. As a parent, you have the responsibility to teach your child to ride correctly and safely. It is also important to keep the learning process fun and free from pressure.

A balance bike can be a great tool to help your child learn how to ride a bike correctly. The purpose of a balance bike is to help the child learn proper balance and steering. A balance bike does not have pedals, gears or a crank set and chain. There are also no training wheels on a balance bike.

Balance bikes are great beginner bicycles, and they can be used by very young children. It it important to buy a balance bike in the correct size. Your child should be able to walk with both feet flat on the ground while sitting in the seat of their balance bike. After walking with the balance bike to get the feel for the bike, your child will learn how to cruise and steer his bike, and eventually will go from walking, to running on the bike to lifting up his/her feet and cruising along.

Learning on a balance bike normally makes the transition to a regular bicycle easier. Training wheels do not teach a child how to correctly balance herself, so it can be difficult for a child to learn to balance on a regular bicycle.

Before you begin teaching your child how to ride a bike, it is vital to have the correct safety equipment. A child should never ride a bike without a helmet. If you teach your child that helmet-wearing is mandatory, it will be easier to get him to consistently wear a helmet. Knee pads and elbow pads are also helpful tools for a new bike rider.

Once you have the proper safety equipment, you are ready to begin the bike riding lessons. First, make sure that the bicycle is adjusted properly. Your child’s feet should reach the ground when she is sitting on the bike. This will allow her to catch herself if she falls off of the bike.

Tell your child to place his hands on the handlebars and his feet on the pedals. When he begins to pedal the bike, walk along with him to steady the bike. As he becomes more confident, you can let go of the handlebars for a few seconds at a time. He will likely be pedaling down the street confidently after just a few practice sessions.

Bike riding is a great family bonding activity. Grab your bicycle and enjoy riding alongside your child. You can also take family bike trips to the park, playground or another fun destination. In today’s busy world, it is more important than ever to spend time together laughing and relaxing as a family.

Bike riding is a lot of fun, and it is also a wonderful form of exercise. Keeping your child active will decrease her risk of obesity and increase her overall health. Your child will also feel a sense of accomplishment and independence when she succeeds in learning how to ride her bicycle.

Raising kids is full of iconic moments: their first steps, first words, first day of school. Of all your kid’s firsts, first bike ride might be the hardest for parents. Learning to ride a bike is tough (speaking from personal experience), but teaching your kid to ride a bike adds a whole extra layer on top. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve come up with a few handy pointers to help you teach your kid to learn to ride a bike. Oh, and we’ve also got the all-new My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike that’s specifically designed to help kids to learn to ride a bike too!

Pick the Right Bike for Your Kid

This seems straightforward, but there are so many training bikes for kids out there that shopping for one can be overwhelming (or expensive). That’s one of the reasons we developed the My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike. We firmly believe that learning to ride a balance bicycle (as opposed to with traditional training wheels) is both easier for kids and takes less time for everyone involved. We highly recommend the My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike for any first time riders (or parents teaching first time riders).

Keep Things Positive

Learning to ride a bike can be stressful for your kid (and you too), so it’s important that you try to stay positive and encouraging. The last thing you want to do is make your kid feel skittish about riding a bike because it’s too hard or feels like something they should naturally be able to do but can’t.

Get Safety Gear that Actually Fits

Wearing a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, etcetera might be a little strange at first for your kid, but it’s certainly better than the alternative (an endless series of skinned knees). That doesn’t mean you should buy just any safety gear for your kid though. Getting safety gear that fits them right (no passing down Dad’s old helmet from when he was a kid) and isn’t too bulky makes it much easier for kids to learn to ride a bike.

Practice in a Wide Open, Flat, Paved Space

This one is easy: pick a wide open, flat, paved space to have your kid practice riding their balance bike. The less issues the terrain presents, the more your kid can focus on the task at hand. Though practicing on grass may seem tempting, grass is actually harder to ride on than pavement since it’s so slick. Try to go back to the same pace every time you practice to help build your kid’s confidence as well.

Start Training When They’re Young

Full disclosure: different kids grasp how to ride a bike at different ages. There’s no set age at which your kid is guaranteed to learn to ride a bike. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try experimenting with a balance bike earlier. The My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike is designed for kids as young as 2 years old to start getting comfortable with a bike and practicing their balance. Not all kids will necessarily be tall, confident, or coordinated enough to start riding a balance bike at 2 years old, but starting younger does allow kids time to build their confidence and experiment with riding. It’s always a good idea to have kids practice getting on and off the balance bike a few times, too.

Start By Having Your Kid Glide While the Bike is in Balance Mode

If you got the My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike, start by putting the bike in Balance Mode (with the pedals folded in). Adjust the seat down so that your kid can sit with their knees slightly bent and both feet on the ground. Have them get comfortable walking while seated on the balance bike with their hands on the handlebars (this might be awkward, but it helps them get used to the position and feeling of moving on a bike). Once they’ve gotten used to walking on their balance bike, try having them glide between steps where both feet are off the ground for a brief period of time.

See How Far they Can Glide

Once they’re able to glide for about 15 feet between steps, they’re ready to take things to the next step. Have your kid get a little momentum going and then see how far they can glide without touching the ground. This is a good way to test their balance before adding in the extra element of pedaling. You can also try having them glide down a slight incline if they struggle getting momentum while maintaining their balance. Another tip for helping kids maintain their balance is to have them focus on something in the distance to glide towards rather than focusing on what’s immediately in front of them. Many kids feel confident gliding around 3 years old, but there’s no set age at which kids will master this skill.

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How to Ride a Balance Bike

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How to Ride a Balance Bike

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How to Ride a Balance Bike

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How can I learn to balance on a bike. Its so embarrassing that i can’t ride a bike and im nearly 14. lol its so annoying that i can’t rie a bike!

8 Answers

Keep your head up when you ride just as you would when you are running or walking. You’ll tend to weave and wobble if you look at the ground immediately in front of you.

Put the bike in a low gear so you can push the pedals with ease.

You don’t really need to balance on a bike, the bike is already balanced; you’re probably yanking the handlebars which is making you wobble.

Relax as much as you can; on a straight and level piece of road or pavement you can steer a bicycle with just one finger.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

How To Balance A Bike

The first thing I’d recommend doing is lowering the seat until it’s at a level that while sitting on it your feet can both touch the ground. This will mean that if the bike is ever about to fall you’ll be able to put your feet on the ground comfortably.

Sit on the bike seat and just use your feet on the ground to push the bike forward and get some motion. See if you can get going fast enough that you can temporarily lift both feet from the ground and sort of just glide on the bike. Do this until you get the feel for balancing. Forward motion is really critical at first so don’t try to force the bike to go really slow. The bike going forward means it’s less likely to just fall over.

Once you can glide alright try pedaling a little bit. If the seat is still down low you may want to raise it up so that pedaling is more comfortable. Again, forward motion is critical. If you’re moving forward and the bike starts to fall sideways it’ll just turn. If you’re not moving forward and the bike starts to fall you’ll just fall.

At slow speeds it’s alright to turn the front wheel in order to steer. At higher speeds though you’re just going to be leaning in order to turn. With a little practice you’ll get the hang of it and it’ll basically be second nature.

You could always use stabilisers!

But if u find that too embarrassing what you can do is go down a slight slope with both feet touching the ground either side of the bike and then lift them slightly as you pick up pace because you will stay balanced with the speed of the bike!

(dont lift them to high unless you feel comfortable and dont go down a big hill!!)

Our Blog: Word on the Sidewalk

Balance Bike or Tricycle? The Answer May Surprise You!

One of the joys of childhood is the sense of freedom that comes along with learning to ride a bike. At Radio Flyer, we recognize the importance of preparing your little ones who are ready to ride for this next stage. As a parent, you may be asking yourself what is the best way to prepare my child for independent 2-wheel riding, a balance bike or a tricycle? Believe it or not, the answer is both!

Tricycles use three wheels to create a stable base before little ones can balance. By reducing their need to balance, little ones can focus on learning to pedal on three wheels. Balance bikes play a complimentary role in preparing kids for independent 2-wheel riding. Instead of pedaling, balance bikes emphasize the gross motor skills of balance and steering. By removing the pedals from a classic bike frame, balance bikes keep feet in contact with the ground and provide a sense of security for little ones.

What do these two rides have in common? They both teach critical elements of learning to ride a 2-wheel bike. Introducing both vehicles allows the isolation of two critical skills of bike riding – pedaling and balance. Once your little one masters these two skills, they will be ready to transition to a 2-wheeler – no training wheels needed!

So, balance bike or tricycle? Our answer is first tricycle, then balance bike! Using both vehicles in a staged approach will help your child learn both how to pedal and balance. This strategy will pave the way for a fast and smooth transition to two wheel independent bike riding. When should you transition from tricycle to balance bike? It depends on your unique child. Little riders enjoy using our balance bikes between ages 2½ and 5, so once your child is comfortable with pedaling their tricycle, it may be time to start riding a balance bike.

Check out our selection of tricycles and balance bikes to get your little one started!

Earlier in the summer I shared this tutorial on Paging Supermoms as a Tuesday tip. It’s so simple that you still have time to cross “learn to ride a bike” off the summer to-do list before summer is over!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Riding a bike is a right of passage for kids, and teaching them how to ride falls on the parents. Be a SuperMom and teach your child how to ride a bike without any scraped knees! It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s frustration free!

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Of course you’ll need a bike. You’ve seen those cool looking balance bikes, and instead of buying one, we’re going to convert a traditional bike into one. Just a regular old bike will do. It just needs to be small enough that they can touch flat footed while on it.

How to Ride a Balance Bike Step 1: Remove the pedals. One pedal will be threaded backwards (so it doesn’t come unscrewed while riding). You’ll need a wrench to take them off.

Step 2: Drop the seat down as low as it can go. The lower it is, the safer the child will feel. You can raise it back up once they’re riding. You want them to be able to touch the ground easily with both feet.

Step 3: Take off the training wheels. You’ll also need a wrench for this.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

And ta-da you just created a balance bike. Have the child ride by pushing with their feet. This allows them to put their feet down to catch themselves, and prevents them from falling over. An important key in riding a bike. At first they will just take baby steps, but soon they’ll be able to coast a distance. Have them practice turning and weaving. When they’ve got the hang of it, we like to throw crackers on the driveway and have them aim to crush them (this is the favorite part!) It’s not going to take very long (some kids only need a half hour, others will need a few hours) and then you can put the pedals back on. When they are able to turn and weave and balance for a good distance you will know it is time to put the pedals back on.

How to Ride a Balance Bike

A STRIDER ® No-Pedal Balance Bike is the perfect tool for teaching balance and riding skills to toddlers, children, and adults of all abilities.

What defines riding? Does pedaling define riding? Downhill mountain bikers don’t pedal, road bike riders descending a highway don’t pedal, BMX riders in a halfpipe don’t pedal, and motorcyclists don’t pedal. They are all riding. So what do they all have in common? The ability to balance on two wheels and lean through turns—regardless of what put them in motion. For children, walking and running are the natural means of propulsion. The simplicity of STRIDER Bikes allows children to concentrate on the fundamental skills of balancing, leaning, and steering while propelling the bike in a natural way.

Research shows that learning balance and coordination with exercise jump-starts a child’s growth and development during the important formative years of early childhood.

• Are ultra lightweight and easy to control

• Increase balance, coordination, and confidence

• Allow children to focus on learning balance first

• Are free of chains, pedals, and protrusions that can harm a child

• Provide a safe, smooth, and natural transition to a pedal bike

Adjust the bike to fit the child! Saddle height is the most critical adjustment, followed by handlebar height. Set the saddle height so the child’s feet are flat on the ground and both knees have a slight bend when seated. A good starting point is 1” less than the child’s inseam. Set the handlebar height with respect to the saddle. If the saddle is at its lowest setting, set the handlebar to its lowest setting, etc. Kids grow quickly. Be sure to adjust the bike every couple months.

Be a Cheerleader, Not a Coach: Children will instinctively throw a leg over the Strider and want to go. Encourage them and praise them for any amount of time they spend on the STRIDER.

Let the Child Set the Pace: Some kids jump on the bike and go, go, go. Other kids are more cautious; some may not even sit on the seat at first. This is okay! Their security is in their feet at this point, and we want them to feel secure. As they get comfortable walking around with the bike between their legs and working the handlebar, they will start to ‘trust’ the bike and the saddle. They’ll be striding with feet up on the footrests before you know it!

Support the child – NOT the bike! Don’t help the child by holding onto the bike to keep it from tipping. The child must feel the bike tip sideways to learn how to keep it from tipping. If the child needs assurance, simply walk next to them and hang onto the back of their shirt so they feel safe.

Second, NEVER use training wheels! If you feel your child is ready to pedal, we recommend finding the simplest, lightest pedal bike possible. Avoid “bells and whistles” as they all add weight and distraction. We also recommend that pedal bikes have a freewheel hub and a hand brake. Do not buy a bike for your child to “grow into.” A bike that is too large won’t fit properly, will be too heavy, will be unsafe, and will ultimately discourage your child. With the seat at its lowest setting your child should be able to touch the ground flat footed.

Remember, training wheels are NOT a solution to a bike that is too large.

Third, keep it fun! Putting kids on a pedal bike too soon will limit where they can go. It is much harder to ride a pedal bike on grass, dirt, or over obstacles than it is on a STRIDER. Keep in mind how important fun and adventure are to a kid. The lightweight, simple STRIDER has a “fun factor” simply not available on a heavy pedal bike at a young age. We recommend having both the STRIDER Bike and the pedal bike available to the child so they can choose which they prefer on a given day. We recommend this overlap for at least a year. At some point as children get taller, stronger, more skilled, and more confident, they will complete the transition to a pedal bike.

The health benefits of riding a bike

Learning to ride a bike or scooter is a rite of passage for every child (and their parents). Riding a bike with or without stabilisers provides children not only with the freedom to move but has a positive impact on their development.

Learning to ride a bike enables children to develop their leg muscles and strengthen their bones. As kids get better at riding a bike and do so regularly the continued exercise will help build their stamina and improve their cardiovascular development. It will also have a marked improvement on their coordination and balance (not to mention their confidence).

Learning to ride a bike – Step One

Before attempting to teach your child to ride a bike its important you spend some time considering what type of bike is best for them.

There are a huge variety of bikes to choose from. The 2 main types are bikes with stabilisers and balance bikes.

Understanding which is right for your child is the first step in learning to ride a bike.

But how do you choose and what are the pros and cons of each?

Bike with stabilisers or a Balance Bike?

Learning to ride a bike with stabilisers means you only need to buy only one bike. However, although stabilisers can be removed from a bike the majority of these type of bikes are quite heavy. This makes them quite difficult to learn how to ride especially for pre-schoolers as they often struggle to manage their heavy, bulky frames.

Learning to ride a toddler balance bike is a good option for younger children (aged from 18 months+) as these tend to be made from lighter materials. Making it easier for little ones to have more control and ultimately more confidence when learning to ride.

Learning to ride a balance bike at a younger age often makes the transition to a bike without stabilisers quicker and much more pain free. When a child learns to ride a bike with stabilisers they learn to steer by moving the handlebars. However, when they move to a bike without stabilisers they need to learn the process again. This is because steering a regular bike places more emphasis on leaning in the direction that you want to go, rather than moving the handlebars. This is why balance bikes are such a good first step for children learning to ride a bike.

If you are looking to buy a new balance bike you can see Micro’s range of 2in1 Balance Bikes here >>

Learn to ride a bike – Step 2

Whether you choose to a bike with stabilisers or balance bike for your child it is important they have all the necessary safety gear before going out on their first lesson. In our opinion every child riding a bike or scooter should have a well fitted safety helmet. You may also wish to “pad them up” with knee and elbow pads .

Once suitability geared up for safety it is important to let your child sit on their bike and get to grips with its weight, height and how to steer.

It’s a good idea to begin by lowering the seat to a level where the child can comfortably touch the floor. This will allow them to get a feel for the bike, its weight and how it moves.

Find the right place to learn to ride a bike – Step 3

Once your child feels comfortable on their bike you should look for a suitable location to begin their adventures. Try to find somewhere quiet away from too many distractions. The park is often a good idea but make sure you get there early, if there’s lots of people around and things going on we find that children can get distracted.

We would always recommend tarmac over grass, despite how tempting the softer surface of grass may be. This is because children will have to push much harder on grass than on tarmac, making it more difficult to get going and for them to find their balance.

Get riding – Step 4

Once you’ve found a suitable location and your child is ready to go it’s time to begin riding.

Begin by letting your child push off and start moving whilst you hold them. Try to avoid holding the bike and handlebars as this can often get in the way of the child. Try to encourage your child to lean into corners and to pick up their feet when they have enough speed and they’re moving in a straight line.

After a few goes most children begin to get more confident on the bike but never leave them on their on at this early stage. Try walking beside them so that you are always on hand to offer help and advice and then move behind them as their skills increase.