Selecting the Right Bike for Your Youngster

Every child is different and understanding when the right time for a child to start learning to ride a bike can be difficult, but most parents get their child started later than necessary. Delaying this learning process can make it more difficult for a child to master the important skills of bike riding, and complicate the process of teaching for the parent.

Kids develop a more advanced understanding of fear as they age and this can heighten their awareness of failure and risk. Children under the age of four don't process the emotion of fear the way older kids do, so it is less of a barrier to learning to ride a bicycle. Older kids have more thoughts running through their heads. They are worried about disappointing their parents or not measuring up to their peers. They may simply fear that they won't be able to learn to ride.

Children as young as 18 months and certainly by age four have the required coordination to learn to ride a bike. And they're emotionally in the right frame of mind to get started, fear being less of a factor. Unfortunately, parents will often make the mistake of running to Walmart and buying a shiny new bike with training wheels. The problem is that those bikes usually weigh over 20 lbs. They're too heavy for small children and slow the process of learning to ride or stop it completely.

When a child is ready to ride, the best method is to use a balance bike. These bicycles, also known as run bikes or walking bikes are designed for toddlers and preschool age children. The bikes can weigh as little as 6 lbs and have no pedals, sprockets or chains. The innovative design emphasizes learning balance and steering first. Kids just propel themselves with their feet instead of pedaling, simplifying the process.

The preBike from Strider is one example of a super lightweight balance bike. It works for kids as young as 18 months because the seat goes as low as 11 inches. It's not unusual for kids to get a tricycle for their second birthday, but trikes don't teach balance and can become an obstacle to learning to ride a bike.

Children who start on a balance bike will have an easy transition to a pedal bike that will stop them from ever using or needing training wheels. It's not unusual for a boy or girl to grow so fond of their balance bike that the favor it over their pedal bike. A light bike that's simple to maeuever can be a lot of fun. Kids can take their balance bike off road, up hills and just about anywhere they please.

The time is now to get started teaching your child to ride a bike if they're past the age of two. Balance bikes can teach kids the all-important skill of balance and steering and are safer than pedal bikes since they are so light, low to the ground and don't wobble like bikes with training wheels.

Parents who teach their kids to ride on a balance bike will never have to run behind the bike hunched over trying to prevent a spill. Their kids will never need training wheels and will learn how to ride faster than most of their friends.