What age do kids typically start to learn to ride a bike?

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Mikey's Mo

Sorry for such a silly question, but I'm just not sure.

I have a new toddler bike with training wheels for my niece. She is 2 now (3 in September). I'm not sure if she'll be able to start riding this summer, or if I should wait until her birthday or Christmas to give her the bike so she can ride next summer. Or, is 3 even too young?

Thanks in advance!

Answer
She can probably start riding now, depending on the size of the bike. You want a bike that is correctly sized. A child will go through several bikes. There is not a one size fits all. My kids are on their fourth set of bikes and they are 8 & 9. They began riding at 2 1/2. One was riding without training wheels at 3 1/2 and the other at 4 1/2.

I was without training wheels at 3 1/2 too.

It's easier when they are young. They have less of a fear. Only with age do we develop fear.

What is a good age for kids to start riding their bike?

Nicnac

What age do u think a child should be taught to ride a bike with training wheels? without training wheels?
What age do u think is appropriate for a kid to ride their bike into town with an adult or an older kid like a teenager maybe?
What age do u think is appropriate for a kid to be able to ride a bike downtown themselves?

any other thoughts about kids riding bikes?

Answer
it varies and depends how motivated the child is. my kids started riding w/ training wheels at 3 and w/o between 4 and 6 (some of my kids were more cautious and others were more motivated). they biked into town (maybe 4 miles for us) with an adult from about 5 or 6. as for by themselves, they haven't yet. my oldest is 10 and she sometimes bikes short distances around the neighborhood with a friend.

other thoughts: helmets are not optional. (speaking as someone who got a concussion riding my bike!)

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What is a good age for kids to start riding their bike?

best kids bike training wheels image

Nicnac

What age do u think a child should be taught to ride a bike with training wheels? without training wheels?
What age do u think is appropriate for a kid to ride their bike into town with an adult or an older kid like a teenager maybe?
What age do u think is appropriate for a kid to be able to ride a bike downtown themselves?

any other thoughts about kids riding bikes?

Answer
it varies and depends how motivated the child is. my kids started riding w/ training wheels at 3 and w/o between 4 and 6 (some of my kids were more cautious and others were more motivated). they biked into town (maybe 4 miles for us) with an adult from about 5 or 6. as for by themselves, they haven't yet. my oldest is 10 and she sometimes bikes short distances around the neighborhood with a friend.

other thoughts: helmets are not optional. (speaking as someone who got a concussion riding my bike!)

My 9yr old is terrified to learn to ride a bike.He is small-50lb,50in,what bike/training wheels should I get?

unimpresse

I would like to find a bike maybe a cruising type, low to the ground or something. He is afraid of heights. I've tried to teach him with other bikes but the training wheels are so flippin small and offer him no assurance. I wish they made a older kids cool trike not a green machine or anything but a bike with 2 bigger studier training wheels. Please let me know if you have any information or suggestions. Thank you so much!

Answer
He needs your assurance that he can ride a 2 wheeler - not the training wheels.

A 20 inch bike is what you want. (or 16 inch if 20 is too big)
But most 20 inche bikes will have a problem as follows :
For the perfect seat height for pedaling it (the seat) won't be perfect for flat foot learning. And in "older cautious" kids they really need that flat foot on the ground to feel good about doing it.

Here' a 20 " townie that fixes that problem - I am sure there are others out there but generally that's what you want - the seat set up for correct pedal distance and flat foot on ground too. It's a little pricey - but I am sure there are other brands liek this. Ask at bike shops for - flat foot designed bike like a townie.
http://davidscycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=2824
Whatever you buy for him have him go with you to sit on the bike. My son has 3 bikes because some were too big at first -he is small too.
I would say don't bother with training wheels they are just a crutch. Instead get him Razor scooter (19 at target ) before you get the bike. It uses similar balance technique as bike riding -steering for the balance etc...But it's a little less scary - one foot on scooter and one on ground....with no bike between your legs.

And when he can ride the scooter - and balance riding it for more than 15 feet or so - then put him on the bike.
But take off the pedals of the bike first - and no training wheels. Have him sit on the bike and push with both feet and steer and balance and use his feet to push hisself . Have him use his feet to stop and balance as needed - tell him to think of it as a scooter with a seat.
When he can do this well both slow and fast (slow is more important it teaches balance) - then put the pedals back on and have him try to ride it - while you hold on to him and let go.

Tell him he can do it and mean it. Because he really can.
If he gets scarred ...go back to the scooter....he may need a gentle push (emotionally) once in a while.
Our son decided he never wanted to ride a bike again when we took off training wheels. All the other kids on the street were riding 2 wheel bikes while he rode a big wheel and didn't care. Until we gave him an emotional push ...with some fussing (an emotional pushes) he did it over about 4 days time.

For you it might take a week or 2 (or more) - that's OK. Don't give up and encorage him to never give up, there will always be tomorrow. But training wheels tell him it's OK to give up.

Riding a bike is like life in many ways - teaches self reliance, freedom, confidence and that sometimes you just fall down. But you have to never give up and get back up and try again. It's not easy - And it can also teach hard work - your kid's worth it.

I can't really remember riding a bike with training wheels but boy do I remember the first few times I rode a 2 wheeler by myself...I felt BIG and I could do it and it's a great self asteem builder.
He needs you not training wheels.
And when he does it - celebrate his achievement.

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How do I install training wheels around a rear derailleur on a 20" bike?

best kids bike training wheels image

StanleyLiv

Just purchased Wald training wheels for kids bike (16" to 26"). The right side has a gear derailleur on it, which extends further than the axle. I can't put the training wheel bar on the axle since I don't have clearance.

Can this axle be extended out farther somehow?

Answer
There are better ways to learn how to ride a bike. Remove the pedals and lower the saddle so they can flat foot on the ground and push them self around and learn to steer. Then try coasting down a small slop with the feet down and then lifting the feet. Next replace the pedals and gradually raise the saddle.

http://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Bicycle

When did your kids start riding their bikes without training wheels?

Q. it's official, my little Sarah is riding her bike with OUT training wheels! So exciting!! She is 4 years old, and her twin sister won't hardly budge to get on a bike! Her good big brother took her out and taught her and then her other older brother and daddy helped! They have been doing this since friday afternoon.She's a pro!

when did your start riding without training wheels? Who taught them?

Answer
4 to 5...

Both of my daughters learned from my father... He ran beside them holding the back of the bike slowly adjusting the training wheels until they weren't using them..

My son taught himself... My father let him help put together a swing set teaching him how to use tools... The next day I went out on the back porch to call him in for lunch, I found his training wheels and a crescent wrench... I started down the porch steps to look for him when I was nearly knocked down as my speedster zoomed by doing great... He yelled "Mom no training wheels!!!!" as he zoomed off for another lap around the backyard... LOL

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How do you teach a kid to ride a bike with no training wheels and can't balance that great?

best kids bike training wheels image

Brown Suga

My niece is five and very clumsy and she just got a bike for Christmas with no training wheels on it. What the best way to teach her to ride it? Do I start with balance without her riding the bike first or what? Thanks!

Answer
Hold the bike and run with them while they ride the bikee. After a few rounds of that then try letting go only if you think they can do it by themselves. Try to practice on a flat surface and have grass on on side so that if they fall they have a 50% chance on falling on grass.

What's a good way to teach a child to ride a bike?

Sit'nTeach

I am a nanny and am working with a set of parents who really think it's time their daughter ride her bike without training wheels. She's definitely physically ready and has good balance, etc., but doesn't really seem confident in herself and won't concentrate. If we stop taking her out she gets upset because then she can't get her brand new purple bike, but if we do take her out, she purposely wobbles the bike. We've tried talking to her and we hold onto the back of the seat while she rides. Are there any other tips you could offer? Nothing mean and nasty about pushing the kid--the parents have decided on this approach with the child (and the mom's a child psychologist so she knows what she's doing), I just need to take her outside every day and "practice" until she gets it... Any suggestions?

Answer
We spent a great deal of time trying to teach our son to ride his bike. Riding on grass helped quite a lot, as did spending a lot of time running along holding the seat while he got used to balancing and pedaling and steering at the same time. We also found practicing for short periods often helped keep everyone from getting too frustrated. The reality is most kids won't do it until they are ready emotionally - the physical readiness usually comes long before the emotional readiness. Good luck!

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