How to Ride a Balance Bike

Balance bikes are great for teaching children to learn to ride a bike for the first time.

In contrast to bikes with training wheels, they do not have pedals or brakes.

Because they don't require pedaling or braking, balance bikes allow children to learn how to push off, balance,

and steer before introducing the other two complicated steps.

This way, when they are ready for a regular bike, they are already confident in their coordination abilities.

Part1

Preparing to Ride the Bike

Explain to them that it's necessary to wear a helmet so their head is protected if they fall. Make sure the helmet fits snugly and the straps are tightened against their chin.
2
Show the different parts of the bike to your child. Explain they sit on the seat facing forward. Show them the handlebars and explain that's where their hands go.
- If the bike has brakes, walk with your child alongside the bike and have them practice squeezing the brakes.
Have your child stand with the bike between their legs. The saddle height should be set to where they can sit on the bike and both of their feet are flat on the ground.^[2]
Have them stand next to the bike and, standing on the foot furthest away from the bike, lift the other foot up and over the bike seat. Their food should land on the other side of the bike.
5
Sit on the seat with both feet flat on the ground. Hold the handlebars to stabilize the bike as your child leans back to sit on the seat. Then, have them grasp the handlebars. ^[3]
- Your child should not have to be lifted up onto the seat.

Part2

Riding the Bike

1
Walk while sitting on the bike. Have your child to walk as they normally do while also sitting on the bike. This will allow them to get comfortable with the feeling of moving forward on the bike while moving at a slow pace.^[4]
- Make sure your child is looking forward instead of their feet. They need to learn to watch where they are going to steer in the right direction. It helps to have someone standing up ahead of the child on the path for the child to focus on.
2
Use one foot to push off from a stationary position. Lift the foot off of the ground. Extend the leg out in front of the body and place the foot down on the ground out in front. Push off the foot.
- Using a flat road or sidewalk when your child starts out will ensure they don't pick up too much speed on hills.^[5]
- You may hold onto your child to help stabilize them. However, do not hold the handlebars. Your child needs to get used to steering on their own.
Go back and forth between putting the right and left leg on the ground and pushing forward. Make sure the push is strong enough to where the bike does not come to a stop.^[6]
4
Hold both legs off the ground and glide forward. Once your child has reached a fast enough speed, about 5 mi (8.0 km), lift both legs out in front of the body so they do not touch the ground. Allow your child to glide along while steering the bike.
- Feel free to walk or jog alongside your child in the beginning to make them feel more comfortable. However, once your child has gained more confidence, allow them to go on their own.
- Tell your child to "push, push, glide." This is an easy direction they can repeat to themselves^[7]
5
Slow down and come to a complete stop. Help your child learn how to decrease their speed to be able to stop. If the bike has brakes, walk alongside your child and demonstrate how to squeeze the brake.^[8]
- If the bike does not have a brake, show your child how to decrease the number of steps they take to slow to a stop. Use a path that starts on a shallow slope downward and then slopes upward. The upward slope will help the bike slow naturally.
- Remind your child that if they feel they are going too fast, all they need to do is slow down enough to put both feet on the ground. Tell your child that they can lightly drag their feet on the ground to help reduce their speed.