When I learned to ride bikes there wasn’t the vast array of child-specific options there are today. Now as parents we have to choose how we introduce our children to cycling. For young children the options are broken down into 2 camps; balance bike vs. training wheels / stabilisers.
Training wheels
These provide children with the most robust support. They are designed to prevent children from being able to tilt the bike and therefore fall over. For the risk averse or less physically able parents, training wheels are a great solution.
Benefits of training wheels (pros)
- safer by preventing the bike from tipping over
- suitable for most ages of children
- greater rolling resistance means children are unlikely to travel as quickly. They also come to a halt more quickly too.
- the training wheels are attached to a pedal bike so no need to buy two different bikes for this phase of the child’s development.
Downsides of training wheels (cons)
- creates a lot of rolling resistance
- difficult to manoeuvre (esp. for little people)
- isolates children from the feeling of tilting a bike
- stops children learning how to balance
- heavy and awkward for parents to carry/put in the car
- creates a false sense of security
Balance bikes
A balance bike is a much simpler bike that doesn’t have any pedals or a chain. Often, they don’t have brakes either making them even easier for children to handle.
You will have noticed the clue in the name of this style of children’s bike. Yep, they’re focussed on actually getting children to balance on the bike. This is a core skill to master before riding solo so by learning early, children on balance bikes have a distinct advantage.
This is the order in which children typically learn skills when using a balance bike to progress to a pedal bike.
A balance bike with brakes will enable kids to learn 3 of the 4 skills above without the distraction and added complexity of pedals getting in the way.
Advantages of balance bikes
The primary advantage of balance bikes is that they teach the core skill of balancing on a bike. In addition there are several other benefits:
- light weight makes them easier to be carried (a huge win for adults!)
- easier for small children to move independently
- smaller size (they lay flatter) so easier to transport and store
Downsides of a balance bike
- In theory, there is a greater opportunity for children to hurt themselves because they can actually fall over. In my experience children are pretty good at self-regulating speed and associated danger. Neither of my children had significant impacts when learning on their balance bikes.
- Balance bikes are only available for small children. So if you’re trying to help an older child learn to ride you will have to be creative about what you use (e.g. remove the pedals from a bigger bike).
- Cost. Once the child out grows a balance bike they need a larger, pedal, bike.
Progressing from balance bike to pedal bike
When a child has mastered a balance bike they will soon be ready to move on to a pedal bike. It’s helpful to find a shallow gradient with a smooth surface. Since the child can already balance there is little chance of them falling over if they’ve got a smooth, open space to practice.
Tips to help a child ride a pedal bike after a balance bike
- Before they set off, hold them upright by holding under the rear of the saddle or underneath the armpits.
- While stationary, help the child position their feet on the pedals (centre of the pedal sits under the ball of the foot).
- Begin to walk forward holding the child upright by the saddle. As they move encourage them to begin turning their legs around.
- Once they have done this a couple of times they’ll be able to roll along peddling a little bit and you will feel them pulling away from your hand.
- After a relatively short period of practice your child will be able to turn their legs over and power themselves. This is likely to take less than 30mins.
Summary & opinion
Of course the choice is subjective. But having taught both my children to ride using balance bikes in their early years I enthusiastically recommend that route.
My tips for balance bikes
Buy one with a brake
I only allowed my children to move on to their pedal bikes, when they could use the brake effectively. This goal worked really well to motivate them (and prevent worn out shoes!). As soon as they were riding their pedal bikes they were relatively safe. Their instinct was to use the brake rather than try to put their feet down off the pedals. See my bike set up guide for tips on adjusting the brakes on a child’s bike.
Lower the seat so they can easily reach the ground from the seat
Make it easy for the child to feel in control. They often want to put their feet down in a hurry! If they want to go fast they’ll soon get the hang of bending their knees and putting their feet behind them.
Take it everywhere
It felt like we carried balance bikes everywhere we went. They’re so light we carried them (or put them under a pushchair) on walks of any length. We didn’t make a fuss about them but since riding was an option, the children quite often chose to ride. These ad-hoc minutes really added up.
Stay calm!
Children will pick up on your nervousness. If you shriek and constantly tell them to “be careful!” they’re going to be worrying about all the potential dangers rather than enjoying riding their bike. If you’re nervous, find a place to ride that suits you; wide open space without any “dangers”. Try to deflect your anxiety by verbalising enthusiasm. Lots of “wow”s and “amazing”s are much more likely to make it fun than parental “watch out”s!