5 Tips for Teaching Your Child to Ride a Bike

Riding a bike is actually pretty complicated. Balance, direction, and speed are all different aspects of bike riding. Start your children young and allow them to stride over a stable scooter before you allow them to push off and balance.

1. Start By Striding On Top of the Bike

The bicycle works collectively with your feet and legs. Your feet may be able to stop the bike or correct balance. You may also choose to walk your bike up a hill or over rough terrain. Let your small child start by walking atop their bicycle and controlling direction with the handlebars.

2. Build Balance Skills

Bicycling takes core strength. A simple way to build this core strength and create the coordination necessary to stay upright on two wheels is to start on a hill. You can use a balance bike, minus the pedals, or simply take the pedals off.

A grassy hill is a great place to start. Your child can get used to

• Putting on safety gear efficiently
• Swinging their leg over the bike without becoming unstable
• Rolling down the hill, balancing the bike without pedaling

Will they fall? Probably; experienced bikers can also take a tumble. A soft, grassy hill with some slope is a great place to allow your child to balance for a long stretch before they have to worry about pedaling.

3. Add Training Wheels

If your child is riding on city streets, training wheels can give them confidence. It will also save them from a hard landing. Walk with your child to keep them moving slowly. Watch their reactions to cars, walkers, and other cyclists.

A panicking child will fall back on their earliest skills when approached by a new situation. A loud vehicle or barking dog may cause your child to freeze or panic; it may cause them to pedal faster. Training wheels will take the work of balancing off of their to-do list and keep them safer, especially on hard surfaces.

4. Focus on Fit

Your child should be able to stand over the seat and have both feet flat on the ground. The bike should be close to but not touching their bodies. If your child has to tilt to get just one foot on the ground, the bike is too tall. If your child has a hard time working around the pedals, take them off.

5. Stay Fun and Safe

Make sure that every bike ride starts with safety; nobody gets on their bike without the proper helmet and other gear. If you see riders out without safety gear, you might mention that those folks forgot a step! Like seatbelts, helmets will become a habit that requires little thought. Your child’s helmet should fit snugly without rocking.

Kids learn to fall when walking. Your child is going to take a tumble when bicycling. With the right training and safety gear, you can protect them from the most serious spills. As possible, take your child out or a ride on designated bike paths only or when street traffic is low.

By: Hannah Jones, a writer for Strider Bikes