There’s something so freeing about riding a bike – especially if you can keep up with your family and friends!
Remember when you first learned to ride your bike? It was tough work to learn, but sure worth the pay off. The fear or learning to ride was overridden (pun intended!) by the feeling of the wind in your hair and that great feeling of accomplishment that comes from learning something new.
That is the precise reason why we love teaching kids to ride their bikes — they manage to move from fear to accomplishment, and down-right celebration as they gain this skill. The following 8 tips will give some guidance on how to help your child to lose the training wheels. So if you’re looking for ways to help your child or just need a few pointers to help them to refine their skills, check them out.
- Pre-biking skills: Before working on losing the training wheels, your child should be able to:
- Balance on one leg
- Hop
- Catch balance when pushed
- Proper fitting bike: It is important that the child feel safe of their bike. If it is too big they will have a tough time controlling the bike and will not be able to get their feet down to stabilize. The seat should be positioned so that the child can have flat feet while sitting on the bike. The seat should not have an angle (the front and back of the seat should be level). Handlebars should be slightly higher than the seat. This will allow for greater success in looking ahead and offloading the front of the bike while steering.
- A comfortable and properly fitting helmet is important: The helmet should fit snuggly and sit on the top of the head (not tipped back). The chin strap should also fit snuggly. Ensure that your child is wearing a helmet whenever they are on their bike and model this behavior as well. This will make a very clear statement that a helmet is necessary for staying safe.
- Appropriate clothing: You will want to make this a very positive experience for your child with avoidable accidents prevented. Pants and long shirts will assist in protecting the skin as kids learn to ride. Insure that pants, laces and other clothing will not get caught in the chain or pedals. Running shoes with tucked laces are the best footwear. Sandals are not recommended.
- A positive attitude for both teacher and learner: Your child may be fearful of getting on the bike or may be overzealous, expecting that the skill will come more easily than is realistic. Be patient with your child and calmly encourage them as they learn.
- Start on a grassy slope: Your child’s first experience coasting on a bike should be on soft ground. A slightly sloping grassy pitch works best for first timers. There should be ample space to run beside the bike and for the child to have grace if they swerve. The location should be free of obstacles.
- It’s okay to fall: Reassure your child that falls will happen as they learn and that their safety gear will help. Their clothes will offer some protection but additional padding can be used if the child is especially fearful.
- Teach road safety: Road safety is a skill that requires practice and education. Discuss road signs and safety rules with your child. Studies have shown that learning “in car” safety and road safety before your child learns to bike will assist in preventing accidents.
If your child is struggling to learn to ride, we have some great learn to bike programs going throughout the next few months. Ride on!!!!
Christine, Physiotherapist and Co-Founder
