Riding a Bike
- Thread starter tmare_IHB
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Anonymous_IHB
New member
[quote author="tmare" date=1250252852]My son is 5. We're apparently a little late in starting this and my son is really not very thrilled about it. We just started today and it was a bit less than successful, any tips? Obviously, we are talking about no training wheels.</blockquote>
This worked for me:
1. Find a very gentle slope (ex. grass in a park, or at least a sidewalk in a park that is straight with grass on both sides, no cars) with a long flat part on the bottom. Like a mini skiing bunny hill.
2. Put the seat all the way down so the kid can touch the ground with both feet with knees bent (ie. not the toes, the whole flat foot). Or borrow a too small bike.
3. With the feet off the pedals (out to the sides, so the kid can stop anytime by putting feet down), practice slowly rolling down the hill, trying to keep balance. Kid will lose balance quite a lot at first, but can easily just put the foot down, so little if any falling down at this point.
4. When the rolling is going well, can balance all the way down easily, then work on braking. Put the feet on the pedals and practice pushing back a few times as parent pushes the bike on flat surface. Then try the slow rolling downhill with braking to stop once in awhile.
5. When braking is mastered, try going downhill with pedaling.
6. Now they got it, can go bike on a flat sidewalk in the park.
Although little falling, of course protective gear & clothing (ex. helmet, running shoes, long pants/long shirtsleeves) recommended and parental supervision at all times.
This worked for me:
1. Find a very gentle slope (ex. grass in a park, or at least a sidewalk in a park that is straight with grass on both sides, no cars) with a long flat part on the bottom. Like a mini skiing bunny hill.
2. Put the seat all the way down so the kid can touch the ground with both feet with knees bent (ie. not the toes, the whole flat foot). Or borrow a too small bike.
3. With the feet off the pedals (out to the sides, so the kid can stop anytime by putting feet down), practice slowly rolling down the hill, trying to keep balance. Kid will lose balance quite a lot at first, but can easily just put the foot down, so little if any falling down at this point.
4. When the rolling is going well, can balance all the way down easily, then work on braking. Put the feet on the pedals and practice pushing back a few times as parent pushes the bike on flat surface. Then try the slow rolling downhill with braking to stop once in awhile.
5. When braking is mastered, try going downhill with pedaling.
6. Now they got it, can go bike on a flat sidewalk in the park.
Although little falling, of course protective gear & clothing (ex. helmet, running shoes, long pants/long shirtsleeves) recommended and parental supervision at all times.
Astute Observer_IHB
New member
The problem without training wheel is that most bike for that age does not have a good hand brake for their little hands. They need to use the coaster brake or pedal brake, and it is difficult to ask them to keep their feet off the pedals to touch the ground and try to stop/brake at the same time.
Overall, I feel Anonymous give you good suggestion there. I feel if you have the pedal brake problem, then you may want to push the kid with your hand and hold it upright at the same time right behind the bike seat. You will need a strong arm to do that, and you will get tired very quickly if you are not in good physical shape.
The important thing is to get him motivated first so that he will want to learn, even if he will get hurt when he falls. Helmet is a must, and a bike in good shape is a requirement. There is nothing that will discourage a young biker more than a rusty bike with brake that always on, making it very difficult to pedal. Try to tell him the ability to ride around compare to how far he can go with his legs, and he will want to learn to use the bike. He will need a lot of encouragment, praise, as well as patience. Have fun!
(I put mine on a tandem when they were little, so they got it pretty quick.)
Overall, I feel Anonymous give you good suggestion there. I feel if you have the pedal brake problem, then you may want to push the kid with your hand and hold it upright at the same time right behind the bike seat. You will need a strong arm to do that, and you will get tired very quickly if you are not in good physical shape.
The important thing is to get him motivated first so that he will want to learn, even if he will get hurt when he falls. Helmet is a must, and a bike in good shape is a requirement. There is nothing that will discourage a young biker more than a rusty bike with brake that always on, making it very difficult to pedal. Try to tell him the ability to ride around compare to how far he can go with his legs, and he will want to learn to use the bike. He will need a lot of encouragment, praise, as well as patience. Have fun!
(I put mine on a tandem when they were little, so they got it pretty quick.)
NoThereThere_IHB
New member
Have you tried one of these?
<a href="http://www.bootscootbikes.com/index.php">boot scoot bike</a>
<a href="http://www.bootscootbikes.com/index.php">boot scoot bike</a>
NoThereThere_IHB
New member
What about taking the pedals/cranks off of the bike you have? Seems like that would accomplish the same thing as the "boot scoot" bike, let your child get a feel for the balance of the whole thing without worrying about pedaling. Fred Flintstone style of learning. Flat street a must, I'd guess.
[quote author="tmare" date=1250323823][quote author="NoThereThere" date=1250320012]Have you tried one of these?
<a href="http://www.bootscootbikes.com/index.php">boot scoot bike</a></blockquote>
That looks good but at 5 years old, I was hoping to not have to buy another thing that ends up in a heap somewhere.</blockquote>
[quote author="tmare" date=1250323823][quote author="NoThereThere" date=1250320012]Have you tried one of these?
<a href="http://www.bootscootbikes.com/index.php">boot scoot bike</a></blockquote>
That looks good but at 5 years old, I was hoping to not have to buy another thing that ends up in a heap somewhere.</blockquote>
ipoplaya_IHB
New member
Does your son ride a scooter tmare? Both my kids starting riding mini micros at around 2.5 years:
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?
springmom_IHB
New member
[quote author="tmare" date=1250252852]My son is 5. We're apparently a little late in starting this and my son is really not very thrilled about it. We just started today and it was a bit less than successful, any tips? Obviously, we are talking about no training wheels.</blockquote>
Late? Really? My son learned when he was 7 and so did most of his friends. Some learned even later. There is a park off Fontaine Street, off Irvine Center Dr. between Yale and Jeffrey that has a huge oval sidewalk all the way around it. It is great for learning to ride because it has a long straight section of sidewalk before you have to turn and hardly anyone goes there. Both my kids learned to ride there.
Late? Really? My son learned when he was 7 and so did most of his friends. Some learned even later. There is a park off Fontaine Street, off Irvine Center Dr. between Yale and Jeffrey that has a huge oval sidewalk all the way around it. It is great for learning to ride because it has a long straight section of sidewalk before you have to turn and hardly anyone goes there. Both my kids learned to ride there.
tmare_IHB
New member
[quote author="ipoplaya" date=1250689912]Does your son ride a scooter tmare? Both my kids starting riding mini micros at around 2.5 years:
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!
ipoplaya_IHB
New member
[quote author="tmare" date=1250860363]
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!</blockquote>
I don't think a majority of 4-year olds ride without trainers. My son's preschool has an annual bike-a-thon and I think there were only 2 out of his 17 or so 4-year old classmates that rode without training wheels this past Spring. A bunch of the kindergarten kids still had them also...
I think a bike with a really low stand-over height helps also. My son's 16" is a Haro Z16 and the stand-over is only 15.5". Seems like the more expensive bikes, like Haro, Mirra, or Specialized, are lighter also which makes learning to ride easier... My son wants me to get a ramp set so he can start doing tricks. I can picture all the cuts, scapes and bruises already! He's starting to jump his bike (and his Razor too) off curbs already.
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!</blockquote>
I don't think a majority of 4-year olds ride without trainers. My son's preschool has an annual bike-a-thon and I think there were only 2 out of his 17 or so 4-year old classmates that rode without training wheels this past Spring. A bunch of the kindergarten kids still had them also...
I think a bike with a really low stand-over height helps also. My son's 16" is a Haro Z16 and the stand-over is only 15.5". Seems like the more expensive bikes, like Haro, Mirra, or Specialized, are lighter also which makes learning to ride easier... My son wants me to get a ramp set so he can start doing tricks. I can picture all the cuts, scapes and bruises already! He's starting to jump his bike (and his Razor too) off curbs already.
irvine123_IHB
New member
just curious, why not let the kids to learn on their own pace? I don't see any ten year olds riding with training wheels, ever.
Anonymous_IHB
New member
[quote author="tmare" date=1250860363][quote author="ipoplaya" date=1250689912]Does your son ride a scooter tmare? Both my kids starting riding mini micros at around 2.5 years:
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!</blockquote>
Just borrow a smaller bike from friends to teach with then.
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
Sorry for the lack of response, I've been out of town with very limited internet access. His bike is 16", we took the idiots advice at the bike shop and I think it is a good point that the bike is too big. I don't think he feels comfortable enough with the height. He has ridden a scooter and done fairly well, although he's never been very infatuated with it. As for the late comment, it seems like I see 4 year olds riding around all of the time, but I'll take anyone telling me we're not late, thanks!</blockquote>
Just borrow a smaller bike from friends to teach with then.
ipoplaya_IHB
New member
[quote author="irvine123" date=1250894964]just curious, why not let the kids to learn on their own pace? I don't see any ten year olds riding with training wheels, ever.</blockquote>
Excellent point, although I wouldn't trust my kids with tools to take off their training wheels themselves
I pulled my oldest's trainers off when I noticed his overall comfort level on the bike, desire to go fast, improved balance on his Razor, etc. He had already "learned" and just didn't know it because of the training wheels. That is why when I took them off, he just starting riding with no "teaching" involved.
Every kid learns at their own speed.
Excellent point, although I wouldn't trust my kids with tools to take off their training wheels themselves
I pulled my oldest's trainers off when I noticed his overall comfort level on the bike, desire to go fast, improved balance on his Razor, etc. He had already "learned" and just didn't know it because of the training wheels. That is why when I took them off, he just starting riding with no "teaching" involved.
Every kid learns at their own speed.
IACRenter_IHB
New member
[quote author="ipoplaya" date=1250689912]Does your son ride a scooter tmare? Both my kids starting riding mini micros at around 2.5 years:
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
The one I saw couple kids use (similar to the Boot Scoot that NoThereThere posted about earlier) is called the <a href="http://gliderrider.com/index.php">Glider Rider</a>. The concept seemed good, teaching balance, no need for pedals, scooter style foot rest, and handbreak. I think it is meant for kids 2-5, so it might be at upper limit for Tmare's child.
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xg-Iuc4vL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" />
Here is a link to a video of the Glider Rider in action:
<a href="http://gliderrider.com/downloads/GLIDER_Hi_Speed.wmv">http://gliderrider.com/downloads/GLIDER_Hi_Speed.wmv</a>
<img src="http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230407860?$product$" alt="" />
I think it really helps them learn balance. I just took the training wheels off my oldest's bike one day around his 4th birthday and off he went all by himself...
The smaller sized bike suggestion is one I definitely agree with. Is he trying to ride a 12" or 16"?</blockquote>
The one I saw couple kids use (similar to the Boot Scoot that NoThereThere posted about earlier) is called the <a href="http://gliderrider.com/index.php">Glider Rider</a>. The concept seemed good, teaching balance, no need for pedals, scooter style foot rest, and handbreak. I think it is meant for kids 2-5, so it might be at upper limit for Tmare's child.
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xg-Iuc4vL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" />
Here is a link to a video of the Glider Rider in action:
<a href="http://gliderrider.com/downloads/GLIDER_Hi_Speed.wmv">http://gliderrider.com/downloads/GLIDER_Hi_Speed.wmv</a>