Start with a Push Bike
Here are a few things a toddler can learn on a push bike that will help them eventually transfer those skills to a balance bike: – Forward Motion: The idea that they can use their legs to push their bodies and the bike forward and that with each push they can gain speed. This teaches them one skill at a time. Then when they do sit on their first balance bike all they will need to learn is how to balance. – Strength: All that pushing strengthens children's leg muscles. This will follow over to the strength needed to push a larger balance bike. – Coordination: This is huge for little children. I am all about teaching my kids coordination. It’s not something kids are necessarily born with, it can be learned. Promoting ways to enhance coordination at an early age can be beneficial in many ways as your child grows. With that said, coordination is huge for when it comes to riding a balance bike and then eventually a pedal bike. Having these basic skills already in their mental rolodex will give them a great head start!
Then Try Out a Balance Bike
If you’re working with an older child (2+) and are thinking you’re beyond the push bike than you can start here! Our success with balance bikes definitely equated to the use of a push bike as mentioned above but that of course may not be true for every child. One thing I have learned as a mom of 4 is that they truly are ALL different and unique in their own styles of learning. One constant tip I can attest to is the design and weight of your balance bike choice is very important. I started working with an amazing brand called Woom a few years ago and I have been singing their praises ever since! Their balance bikes are lightweight and easy to navigate for small children. They also have breaks which is so important for little riders to start getting comfortable with before they start using pedals!
Why Woom 1 is the best balance bike for kids: – Lightweight: Small children are going to take to a light bike much quicker than a chunky/heavy one. Finding something that is easy to manage is very important. – Foot Rest: You can buy a surfboard footrest separately to use with the Woom 1 or it is already included on the Woom Plus. But having somewhere for a child to aim for to rest their feet is a GREAT segway into pedaling. – Low Step Through Entry: Your child has to be able to pick up the bike and step through it on their own. This design on the Woom1 allows even the smallest riders to get on comfortably and independently. – Break System: Most balance bikes don’t have this built in and it is another super important concept that a child can learn well before they ever sit on a pedal bike. Once they learn to break and balance they will be golden on a pedal bike!
Now it's time for a pedal bike
#1: Pick the Right Sized Bike! The number one reason I see children having issues riding a bike without training wheels is that the size of the bike is not appropriate for them. Just as training wheels are a thing of the past so are all these outdated bike size charts on the web (in my opinion!) I think parents get caught up in wanting a bike that will last a long time and that usually doesn't work well with children first learning to ride. The child has to feel in control to feel comfortable and I always suggest starting them on smaller sized bikes.
#2: Choose a Lightweight Bike The bike should also be lightweight to accomplish that same comfortable feel as mentioned above. Woom bikes once again take the cake in both areas. My girls (and now one of my 2 year old twins) all started on their Woom2 bike which is a 14’’ super lightweight in design pedal bicycle (the bike only weighs 11.24lbs total!). It doesn't get better than these bikes when it comes to learning to ride. We have had 12’’ bikes that weigh well over 18lbs so when it comes to lightweight Woom has done an outstanding job at designing their bikes.
In short, the best tips to teaching a child to ride a bike include: – Choosing a Lightweight frame – Size matters! If in doubt choose the smaller option.For reference my 6.5 year old is on a Woom 3 and will be moving to a Woom4 OFF this summer (stay tuned for that!) and my 5 year old is happily on her Woom2. – SKIP the training wheels: Pedaling is the least helpful aspect of learning to ride a bike. Knowing how to balance and navigate while balancing is much more helpful. The pedaling can be learned pretty quickly and the concept is easier the older they get.