Riding a bike isn’t just a great way to get from A to B, it’s also an enjoyable pastime and a great skill to have. It teaches your child to enjoy the open air, develops leg muscles, and even strengthens bones. It’s a fantastic way to exercise and build stamina.
Teaching your child how to ride a bike can also be a great bonding process. Witnessing the moment they finally manage to cycle without training wheels, seeing that smile, the pure joy, and the sense of independence; it’s a unique experience in parenthood.
Yet teaching a child how to ride a bike isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. Nor is it easy to keep them interested, what with all the other activities they may prefer doing (we’re looking at you, television and toys!).
To help teach your kids the joy of cycling, this handy guide will help get your child on those two wheels with confidence and excitement.
Buy the Correct Bike
When it comes to cycling, it’s all about buying the right bike. This is especially true for kids just starting. Don’t assume that the most expensive bike equals the most suitable option for your child.
Instead, you should focus on fit; the correct frame, seat height, and handlebar position are all essential for a comfortable and enjoyable ride. Ideally, take the bike for a test ride before purchasing.
As far as practically possible, let your child take part in the decision-making process. This will make them feel it’s their bike, one they’ve picked themselves, rather than something that’s been forced upon them by their parents.
Location, Location, Location!
When you first start teaching your child how to ride a bike, ensure it is in a quiet and perhaps even fully private location. Should you have the garden space, conduct the first few lessons from there. If not, try and find a park or route that’s a little more secluded. Or go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
You may be tempted to start on a soft surface like grass. Don’t do this, as it makes it far trickier to learn on this uneven surface. Instead, opt for tarmac, which will also help your child develop balance.
Once your child is more confident, move to busier areas. Don’t rush it, however, as pushing them can put them off cycling. Remember, this is not a race or competition!
Use a Balance Bike
Balance bikes are essentially the same thing as standard bikes, except without pedals. Kids move forward by using their feet, pushing along as they go. This is the type of bike you should probably start with, particularly if your child is still quite young.
The point of this type of bike is to help children develop their balance and coordination first, without having to think about pedaling on top. Once your child is used to the bike and has built up confidence, you can ‘graduate’ to a regular bike.
Some of you may be wondering whether to go for training wheels instead, which were quite popular a generation ago (when we were all kids, basically!). However, most experts now believe that balance bikes are far more effective as a starting point.
How to Help Kids Build Balance
Most parents make the mistake of holding on to the bike when teaching their kids how to ride. But holding onto the handle will prevent your child from learning how to balance, blocking progress.
Instead, what you want to do is to lightly hold your child as they learn to cycle. This should be as gentle as possible, only providing support where necessary. This will help speed up your child’s balancing skills. Eventually, all you need to do is ‘hover’, just in case you need to step in.
Further, don’t push the bike or add any power to the movement. Momentum should be built from the pedal strokes your child takes, allowing them to learn how much force to apply and how to react to changes to their pedaling.
Do Not Pressure Your Child!
Children learn how to ride bikes at vastly different rates. Some kids can be taught the basics in just 45 minutes. Yet it can also take many weeks or months of consistent teaching before your child is confident.
The key is not to put any pressure on your child to go faster or to dump the balance bike for pedals. Let them go at their own pace, letting them enjoy the learning process and absorb best practices as they go.
Remember, cycling is meant to be fun. Having an overbearing parent hovering over their child and making them go faster than they want to, will only push them away. Don’t become ‘that’ mom or dad!