Teach your child to ride a bike! Not only is it fun, riding a bike also starts to teach them the value of responsibility, independence, and of having a sense of adventure and exploration. Just to start off, here are a few tips so your child learns quickly and safely, while also having the most fun:
Training wheels: If your child uses a bike with training wheels, have them adjusted so the bike always has a little bit of lean. Most people adjust the bike so both training wheels touch the ground at once, but it will take longer for your child to learn to balance the bike. More importantly, since there is less weight on the bicycle’s rear wheel, there is also less traction and the brakes become less effective.
No training wheels: The traditional way to teach cycling, by running along holding your child up, is still the fastest and best way. You should hold the child by the shoulders and run along behind. Do not hold the handlebars – your child cannot learn the feel of balancing if you are in control of the bike. Instead, place your hand on your child’s back or shoulders, so that as they lean to the side, they will feel the side pressure, and can learn to reduce it by turning into the lean. This should be done in a wide flat space, such as an empty parking lot. Don’t make any attempt to steer the child, just let the bike go where it will, and your child will be pedaling like a pro in no time! Don’t forget to make sure they wear proper protective gear like a helmet, and keep lots of liquids nearby so they don’t get dehydrated.
Wear protective gear. When learning to ride a bike for the first time, expect your child to have a couple of bumps and bruises along the way. Keep them safe by making sure they’ve got a sturdy helmet on and some elbow pads. They can also wear long sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants to keep those scratches at bay.
