Learning to Ride a Bike Before Preschool

While no two children are the same, most parents start teaching their child to ride a bike much later than is actually necessary. Parents may feel they are protecting their child by waiting until they are “ready,” but the truth is most kids will benefit from an early start and this actually eases the process for both child and parent

As children get older they develop a more refined fear mechanism that leads to fear failure and risk. A child between the ages of 2-4 doesn’t process these emotions in the same way and they are usually not an obstacle for learning to ride. Not so for older kids who fear they will disappoint their parents, not measure up to their classmates or just not be able to learn how 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.

Parents are often surprised just how quickly kids are ready to use a pedal bike after they learn to ride on the balance bike. It comes naturally to them since they’ve mastered balance first.

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.

Teach a child to ride a bike the easy way with a balance bike. These bikes put the emphasis on balance and come in metal versions as well as wood bikes.