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Teaching your child how to ride a bike is a rite of passage that parents often look forward to as a bonding opportunity. When you’re prepping for this important life lesson, one of your biggest priorities is finding the right bicycle for your child. Balance bicycles offer several important benefits that can enhance your child’s bike riding experience.
Table of Contents
1- Start Riding Lessons Earlier
You’re already making the right decision to look for bicycles now that your child is a toddler or preschooler. Children at this age tend to be eager to practice more independence, and they’re young enough to not feel as much anxiety about falling. Since balance bikes come in smaller, lightweight sizes, your preschooler will also be able to perform essential tasks such as picking up their new bicycle and maintaining their balance using four points of contact.
2- Build Confidence With Positive Experiences
Balance bikes allow children to sit in a position that places both feet on the ground. With two feet and two wheels on the ground, preschoolers are better able to keep the bike steady. Eliminating the wobbling that occurs with pedal bikes at this age helps to prevent falls that could cause painful injuries. If your child does lean the bicycle over, they’ll have more control over getting it back up. Making these early lessons as positive as possible builds confidence that encourages your child to try new skills.
3- Let Your Child Lead
Putting your child on a pedal bike too soon means that they often become a passive passenger. While you might still need to run along with your child on their first pedal bike, you won’t have to do this with a balance bike. The feet-on-the-ground method for powering the bicycle also helps your child maintain a lower speed that keeps them from riding away too fast or careening out of control. This means that you can give your preschooler more freedom. After establishing boundaries for safety, you can play the role of a cheerleader rather than completely controlling their experience.
4- Work Up to Using Pedals
The ultimate goal of using a balance bike in the beginning is to prepare your child for the day they’re ready to use pedals. You’ll notice that they’ve moved to this stage when they spend more time with their feet off the ground. At this point, they’ll be keeping their weight evenly balanced on the seat and be able to stop safely using their feet. Choosing a convertible balance bike allows your child to transition to pedals seamlessly since they’ll already be comfortable with their positioning on the seat and ability to steer.
The process of learning to ride a bike can span several years, and it’s important to know where to go as your child progresses through each new level. Starting with a balance bike gives your child more confidence and allows you to tailor their experience to fit their developing skills. As you notice your child moving from one stage to the next, make sure to assess their bicycle’s fit and adjust their gear as necessary for safe rides every time.
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