Starting a toddler on a balance bike is a great way to give children independence and encourage outdoor movement. But, for parents, sometimes the task can be daunting! While it sounds and looks impressive (especially when said kids are petite riding those pedals), they certainly aren’t unique. With the introduction of the balance bike as more mainstream over the past 10 or so years, kids are finding newfound freedom on wheels at a much younger age.
Need to know more about size and balance?
But first check out our other posts:
The best balance bikes and Balance bike Size chart.
So if your kid isn’t ready yet, that doesn’t mean they’re behind or failing or any of that nonsense. So, take a deep breath and relax – it’s more important to LOVE biking than anything else. That’s our goal here more than anything else.
Get a well-fitting helmet right away AND make sure they wear it every.single.time. The helmet goes with the bike like peanut butter and jelly, no questions asked. This is important for two reasons:
They never question wearing a helmet when they’re older because that is ALWAYS what they have done.
Just because your toddler is barely walking with the bike now, they’ll soon catch on and YOU’LL be running to catch up. Be ready for crashes – they do and will happen. And helmets can be replaced much easier than heads. We’ve had many a helmet save a forehead.
As far as toddler bike helmets, we recommend the Giro Scamp, Joovy Noodle and WOOM helmets (returning December 2020). These all fit small heads well and truly keep them protected.
Get your toddler straddling the bike even just 3-5 minutes a day. Walk with them, supporting the bike so they can get a feel of it. You’ll feel like nothing is happening and they’ll never ride. They will.
Once you can (weather improves, the child seems more interested, etc.), take it outside. Go on a walk and be patient enough to let them ride 10 feet. Then 30 feet. Then 50.
The great thing about balance bikes is that they are light and small. They can be thrown in a stroller super easily. It’s all about consistency….a little every day AND not pushing it. Your 2 year old is more strong-willed than you.
Here are just a few reasons why balance bikes are a great way to introduce your child to the joy of bike riding.
- They’re easy to use
“There are two parts to learning to ride a bicycle: balancing and pedalling,” Cadel says. “Balance bikes don’t have any pedals, so kids only have to focus on one thing – balancing. This makes the learning process a whole lot easier for them.”
Balance bikes also let kids use their feet to stop, steer and turn around, giving them more control, as well as the confidence to keep riding.
- They build strength and coordination
Balance isn’t the only useful thing your child will learn from one of these bikes. The design of a balance bike encourages kids to use their arms and lift their legs when moving forward. This not only helps them to build up their strength, it also helps them to fine tune their motor skills, coordination and agility.
- They’re a safer way to start riding
The seat of a balance bike is a lot closer to the ground than on a regular bike. If your little one does fall they won’t have far to go. Plus, a balance bike can only go as fast as your child can push, which means you won’t have to worry about any high-speed crashes.
“Once your child has learnt how to balance, they’ll soon be able to move up to a regular bike without the need for training wheels.”
- They make exercise fun
Riding a bike is not only a lot of fun – it’s a great way to get kids moving. Kids as young as two years old will love zooming about on a balance bike, or better yet, joining in on a family bike ride. The earlier you encourage your kids to start exercising, the more likely they will develop healthy habits for life.
- They’re convenient for parents
The compact design of balance bikes makes them easy to transport. They’re small enough to pop on the backseat of the car and light enough to pick up and carry home if your child gets tired of riding.
- They let you skip the training wheels
Balance bikes take the hard work out of teaching your child how to ride. Once your child has learnt how to balance, they’ll soon be able to progress to a regular bike without the need for training wheels. Once they’ve mastered their balance bike, they’ll be itching to ride with the ‘big kids’ in no time.
“This gives more control because their feet can be on the ground,” says Todd Williams, an occupational therapist in pediatric rehabilitation at Logan Regional Hospital. “If you can balance, it’s easier to add pedaling later, instead of trying to master both skills at once.”
Williams uses balance bikes with his young patients, but he also used one to teach his daughter to ride. Instead of buying a brand-name balance bike for her, he purchased a child’s bike from a thrift shop and removed the pedals and chain. Two weeks later, she graduated to riding a regular bike on her own.
Riding without pedals, Williams says, allows young riders to develop confidence and balance while feeling in control of their speed.
Some adults prefer to teach youngsters on regular bikes, with the assistance of training wheels, while still others worry that balance bikes are too expensive, or just a fad. Proponents argue that the balance bikes are much safer and allow kids to start riding at younger ages. Particularly for those who don’t have the leg strength to push pedals, the simplicity of propelling themselves provides freedom without complication.
For more information visit: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/sites/www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/files/vla-resource-bike-law.pdf
