Learning how to ride a bike is one of the most important skills kids can learn. Unfortunately, learning this skill can be frustrating for both the child and parent when training wheels are involved.
Training wheels make it hard for your child to balance independently because they have something to hold onto that keeps them from falling over. This makes riding a bike with training wheels much more complicated than it needs to be.
Take away the training wheels so you can teach your child how to balance, turn, and brake without depending on something external. This will give them confidence in their biking abilities when they finally obliterate the training wheel.
Here’s everything you need to know about training wheels and how to teach your child how to ride a bike without them.
Read more: How Long Does it Take to Learn to Ride a Bike
Is your child ready for the bicycle?
Teaching your kids to ride without training wheels is easier when they’re ready and willing. The critical thing about teaching children this skill early on in life (or any time)is that their needs be an interest on behalf of the student, otherwise known as “ready.” This means finding out what makes them excited enough so they can learn instead of pushing buttons until something sticks
One of the most overlooked factors in determining if your child is ready for biking on local paths, streets, or bike lanes are their ability to follow direction quickly and learn road rules.
Start early with a balance bike.
The best way to teach a three or 4-year-old to ride a bike is to start with a balance bike. Balance bikes are bicycles without pedals that allow your child to scoot along the ground using their feet, rather than having training wheels.
Balance bikes are great for teaching children how to ride because they can teach them how to steer and balance simultaneously.
Many balance bikes also come with a seat post and seat that allow your child to learn how to steer and brake simultaneously, which will be important when it’s time to take the training wheels off.
Find a small bike size.
Once they master the balance bike, you can buy a small regular bike. You can find small bikes in bike shops or on sites like Amazon. Ensure the cycle is the correct size for your growing child before purchasing it because different sizes depending on age.
When kids are lower to the ground, they can have more confidence in riding without training wheels. This gives them control over their bike and teaches how much power each of your feet applies when pushing down on pedals while also balancing herself.
Read more: Bike Size Chart – How to Choose Your Size [ The Simplest Way ]
Lesson 1: The Pedals
When teaching your child how to pedal, start them off by having them put their right foot on the pedal in the “2 pm” position. For those who started on a balance bike or with no pedals, teach them these basics by creating gradually.
One of the fastest ways is using just one foot while moving forward through various speeds- take it slow until they’ve got themselves appropriately situated, then go from there accordingly.
And don’t forget that you should always start on an open, flat surface. It will make your ride much smoother for nervous little ones who may be afraid of hitting bumps in the road or slopes when they first start riding their bikes.
Lesson 2: The Turn
Next, you should teach them how to use the handlebars to navigate. They may have been doing it with their bike before, but now that the training wheels are off, there is a new feeling of independence and power!
The more time spent navigating on two-wheelers will always help kids feel comfortable in this newfound skill. The critical thing here isn’t just getting children hooked right away – although beginning early helps- it’s about spending plenty o quality one-legged riding hours.
When your child is ready to take on the world, let them know that you’re there for every step of their journey. You can start by guiding underarm pit holding sessions until they’re more comfortable with balance and steering control while still allowing room in life so far as adventures grow wilder.
And remember, falling is part of the game. We all fall at some point in our lives. It’s essential to get back up and try again, because if you don’t have a comeback for this life, then what’s the point of living?
