All About Balance Bikes
What Is A Balance Bike?
A balance bike is a bike with no pedals and no stabilisers, making it a really simple platform for a child to develop strength, coordination, balance and confidence.
Children who ride bikes with stabilisers learn how to pedal but not to balance, so have to start a lengthy learning process all over again when the stabilisers are removed.
As British cycling legend Chris Hoy says: “I have always been a big believer in the fact that stabilisers aren’t a good thing for kids because they don’t learn how to balance, they learn how to lean to one side. A balance bike teaches that important part of learning how to ride. Kids feel safe too because all they have to do is put their feet down.”
How Do Children Ride Them When There Aren’t Any Pedals?
From as early as 18months children learn by walking/running while sat on their balance bike. As the child grows confidence they begin to free wheel by lifting both feet off the ground. Once they begin to do this they have started to gain balance skills!
How to Ride your Balance Bike
- Step 1: Teach your child to get on and off their balance bike independently.
- Step 2: Encourage your child to stand with the bike between their legs holding the handlebars.
- Step 3: Have your child sit on the saddle and use their feet to scoot along.
- Step 4: Use a gentle slope to encourage your child to lift their feet up and balance.
- Step 5: Once they have mastered the art of lifting their feet off the ground you can introduce steering.
- Step 6: Your little one should now be ready for a lifetime of adventures on 2 wheels.
