Teaching a child to ride a bike

[forks]

This weekend marks the start of me teaching my daughter to ride a bike without stabilisers. She is only just four, so keen to get her up and running before she starts school properly. I remember my dad teaching me, which ultimately ended up with me cycling along while still thinking he had hold of the back of the bike, and thus success. I plan on starting on grass, but appreciate its not the easiest surface to pedal on! Anyone recently taught their little 'un to ride a bike? How did you start? What sort of rough timescale are we talking? And how did you explain things in the most simplest of terms?
Over to you....

[SystemParanoia]

had my twins riding at 3.

get a like-a-bike/balance bike ( £25 ish )

it will teach balance, the most important thing. then when they seem ready, it will take less than 15 mins to get em riding a propper bike

[Aviz]

SystemParanoia said:

had my twins riding at 3.

get a like-a-bike

it will teach balance, the most important thing. then when they seem ready, it will take less than 15 mins to get em riding a propper bike

+1 . I've been amazed how quickly my friends little ones were riding a proper bike. No need for stabilisers, and they don't even notice they're 'learning to ride'

[forks]

Balance is, of course, the key. Its worth noting that her mother and I split up two years ago, so my time has, and will be limited. I understand Rome wasn't built in a day, and some patience may be needed, just wanted some input from others, and maybe some pointers.

[PumpkinSteve]

My Dad just gave me a push and I if fell off it was tough, this was on a grassy public footpath so the ground was firm and grass short. Took me a few tries to get it but it certainly took less than an hour to learn to balance.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Find your local cricket pitch and practise there (not on the wicket!).
Its nearly cricket season so the outfield should be lovely.

[forks]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Find your local cricket pitch and practise there (not on the wicket!).
Its nearly cricket season so the outfield should be lovely.

That's a good idea, there's one just up the road from me. I was thinking of the school field, but they seem to be padlocking the gate these days. A putting green would be ideal, but obviously not an option!

[SystemParanoia]

forks said:

Balance is, of course, the key. Its worth noting that her mother and I split up two years ago, so my time has, and will be limited. I understand Rome wasn't built in a day, and some patience may be needed, just wanted some input from others, and maybe some pointers.

i only get my kids on the weekends... they really get the hang of the balance bike quickly... and its great when walking to the park as they will actually kep up with you.. and once theyve had a bit of practice, they will tot ally out run you!

[forks]

SystemParanoia said:

i only get my kids on the weekends... they really get the hang of the balance bike quickly... and its great when walking to the park as they will actually kep up with you.. and once theyve had a bit of practice, they will tot ally out run you!

Balance bikes being those ones that have no pedals?

[SystemParanoia]

yup

no teaching required... just let em see it and figure it out themselves

[King Herald]

I taught my daughter with the stabilisers on her bike, and I raised them up a few inches so she could practise balancing.

Then I removed them and did the traditional 'dad puffs and pants running alongside then lets go and kid trundles off' trick. It worked, and she was amazed how easy it was once she could do it.

Like many things in life I guess.

[forks]

King Herald said:

I taught my daughter with the stabilisers on her bike, and I raised them up a few inches so she could practise balancing.

Then I removed them and did the traditional 'dad puffs and pants running alongside then lets go and kid trundles off' trick. It worked, and she was amazed how easy it was once she could do it.

Like many things in life I guess.

This is how I see it. She is a very determined little girl usually, and since an early age has always become frustrated when she couldn't do the things 'bigger children' could. I'll use this to my advantage :-) The balance bike is a very good idea, and I had looked at them in the past, though I see no reason why her current bike won't do the job admirably! I learnt on one of those mini 'Choppers' (Chipper?) and they aren't easy to control if you can ride a bike!

[Bacon Is Proof]

Balance bikes are a complete waste of money.
Get a normal bike, remove the pedals and point them down a hill.
Fifteen minutes of that and then put the pedals back on.
Taught dozens using that method.

[antspants]

I took the handle off a mop or broom and jammed it down behind his seat and held it until he got his balance. Didn't take long it was just a matter of him thinking I'd got him.

[gshughes]

Taught my nephew in about half an hour in my parents garden. A slight downhill gradient on grass worked well, as easier to pedal. Had a border on one side and me running along on the other, having a narrow 'corridor' seemed to help him go straight and balance.

[pastrana72]

I found when I taught my son's (not that long ago) the key thing was to get them to sit on the bike static first with no stabilisers on and I just held on to the front wheel with them sat balancing for a bit so they got a feel for just not touching the ground and being balanced. Then held on to the back while they rode for a bit then bingo take the hand away but stay within a close grabing distance. It is was easier to hold on to them than the bike, so they felt safer.

Both my boys learnt to ride about 4 or 5 years old, first one took weeks of to master it, is really natural on his bike now.

Second son seriously took a couple of hours and he was away, took him fowever to get the hang of using his brakes to stop.

Mine both had scooters, which I think helped. They did not have balance bikes however I think they are an excelent idea to teach kids balance and get them used to it faster.

Good Luck. My oldest is now trying to jump everything on his bike, which is a bit worrying.

[996 sps]

Another one for balance bike here, brought it when my little lad was one, really wide wheels and plastic £20 then ill progress him onto a proper balance bike, he has a Mike Hailwood lid as well from Kiddimoto, he ll be at Brands Hatch next week for BSB he's going to love it.

[SkinnyBoy]

I taught my nephew to ride when he was 5 I basically had to reprogram his head from all the fear and bullst his mum and dad fill his head with. He's becoming quite the little risk taker now he hangs out with his cool uncle

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

balance bike followed by one with pedals.

I respect an earlier posters view that they are a waste of money however in my opiinion they are not. We use an islabike rothan. It's designed for a 2 year old to operate safely and builds confidence. My boy will be 3 in 4 weeks and im getting him the cnoc 14 ( pedals) which I imgaine he will take to pretty quickly as he currently comes out with me around the woods on his balance bike and flies along.


blatant excuse for proud parent pic....

Edited by Obiwonkeyblokey on Friday 30th March 09:04

[graham22]

Trying on grass is a good idea, not as intimidating as tarmac/concrete.

This may sound cruel but make them topple off to start with so they can see that falling won't hurt (much) - this will give them a little more confidence.