One of the great joys of growing up is first learning how to ride a bike, and later teaching your kids how to ride a bike. This parent child experience is a staple of many family relationships, but it can also be somewhat intimidating or worrying when your kid’s biking fate and safety are in your hands. So if you’re looking to teach your kid how to ride a bike this summer, here are some great tips to get you both on your way.
1. If they’re young, start with training wheels
Starting with training wheels might seem somewhat pedantic to your kid, but this important step helps to eliminate their fear of falling, and will allow them to build confidence on their bike. Even if you only keep the training wheels on for a few days, it is a good way to build a level of comfort that will help them when those wheels come off.
2. Start with a small bike
Smaller bikes like kids bmx bikes are great to learn on because they are super lightweight and therefore easy for children to control. Stores like Tesco have great options for every budget. These types of bikes are also single gear bikes, so kids don’t have to worry about learning how to change gears while they’re learning how balance and steer.
3. Learning to stop
Once your kid finally gets going on their bike they next big issue that they will encounter is stopping, and the last thing you want is for them to be panicked or unaware of how to stop. Go through some practice stopping scenarios, and remember to inform your child that in the worst-case scenario (headed into traffic or dangerous terrain) they can always fall or jump from their bike if they can’t stop it.
22 comments
My little guy just picked up his big brother’s bike (without training wheels) one day and off he went. My husband and I were stunned.
We used a balance bike with our youngest and it really seemed to help. He didn’t need training wheels when he went to a regular bike. My oldest however was really dependant on training wheels. I think it really comes down to the kid.
Biking is such a great expercise for the whole family. Buying each of us a bike a couple of years ago was the best thing we did.
These days are long over for me, but these are super tips. Bike riding is a great activity for kids and grown-ups!
These are great tips. When we taught our kids to ride, we used no training wheels and kept the neosporin on hand.
That saying “It’s like riding a bike” is so true. Once kids learn you never really do forget. I just got on a bike after about 8 years of not riding one and I still remember! Great tips here for those teaching their kids!
We definitely had to use training wheels for the kids. They really do help them get the hang of steering and braking in a safe way.
I think it’s important to have them adopt to different situations supervised. The more they bike, the better they get.
I taught myself to ride a bike because I was a big chicken and didn’t want anyone to see me fall. I’m still sort of that way now…LOL!! Great tips!
These are really good tips! I especially like the reminder to teach them that they have to stop! It’s easy to just focus on the riding, not anything beyond that.
What great tips on how to ride a bike! My dad took the training wheels off and sent me on my way! I think it is very important to wear a helmet as child safety and accident prevention I am passionate about! I will be sharing your post today with friends who are going through this with their children
These are great tips. My daughter just started using the training wheels. Shes having a great time with her bike.
Great tips! When my kids where young, they started on a tricycle then moved on to a “big kid bike” with training wheels. I made sure they had helmets on and supervised when biking outside.
These are great tips to teaching your child how to ride a bike. I started my boys on a little bike with training wheels. Before they loose the training wheels it is important to show them how to balance. They did that for about a month before loosing the training wheels. Thanks for sharing.
As I was reading the article, I have flashbacks running on my mind back to the time when I was learning how to bike. It was tough time considering the fact that I don;t have the necessary protection for practicing. I got bruises and body pain but yeah, I learned how to bike.
These are some great tips for getting a child riding a bike. I really need to start working on that with my kids.
It is always so fun to watch little kids learning how to ride a bike. The look on their little faces when they finally get it is priceless.
I so need this right now. My son is 10 and JUST learning to ride a bike. He never wanted to learn before now, and he’s getting frustrated. Thanks for the tips!
These are some great tips!!! We are about to start this whole bike riding thing with our daughter. She’s outgrown her trysicle since she’s so tall, even though most kids her age are still riding them.
These are wonderful tips! I have a 9 year old that is learning how to ride a bike.
I honestly wish I knew how to ride a bike – lol until now I still have no idea how. 🙁 Thanks for these!
Our three year old is itching to start learning, he loves watching his big brother and sister ride there and go in rides in his trailer.