Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike Without Training Wheels
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This is a tried and true method for teaching a child to ride a bike — without expensive equipment, hair loss, or tears.
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We’ve had SIX children learn to ride a bike without training wheels. Our firstborn, of course, was our guinea pig. And as with many things, he was treated to the traditional approach.
In this case, we took off the training wheels and ran along beside, etc. It took about a week, in part because he was mad that we took off the training wheels. It was definitely a push-me, pull-me experience.
With our second son, we heard about this other method. And wow. It’s amazing.
Take off the training wheels AND the pedals.
I read about it in a magazine and told FishPapa about it. Hmmm…. let’s see.
The theory is that without pedals the kid learns to balance. He’s not so focused on pedaling to distract him from balancing. Learn the balance and then the pedaling part will be easy.
This has been amazing with the five kids we’ve used it on. A few runs down the driveway balancing and the kid is ready to get the pedals back on. Each kid has been off and riding in less than an hour.
This is a practically pain-free way of learning to ride a bike without training wheels.
I’ve seen those balance “bikes” that they sell – I believe they are popular in Asia – Japan maybe? My kids have learned the traditional way but we never really taught them. We live on a cul-de-sac and the kids ride their bikes all of the time and use the scooter. When we saw that they were balancing on the scooter or not relying on the training wheels, we took them off. Both of my girls took off right away – we probably could have done it younger. One was 5 1/2 and one was just under 5. I think the reason it worked was just all of the practice they get riding their bike around the circle.
You always have great ideas!
Both of our boys learned this way. We purchased a balance bike (kinderbikeusa.com) that they started on when they were 2. They were both riding 12″ bikes with pedals and no training wheels before they turned 3. It really is amazing!
I wish I had known about this method with my kids. My oldest still is not comfortable on a bike because of the whole balance issue. Don’t tell him I told you that.
I’m curious what your kids ride (for fun) before they are big enough to ride without training wheels. I had one kid ride a two wheeler before they were four, but the others took longer.
Do they ride tricycles, or those big wheel type things?
Toni
@The Happy Housewife, we have never had a big wheel. Funny. My brother loved his!
We have two different sized trikes – a micro for the tot and the bigger version for 3s and 4s. Then the boys used a 10 or 12 inch huffy with training wheels. It only lasted four kids! The nerve.
So, now we are in the market for a training wheel bike for the girls. Last night FishChick3 commented she would like a Dora bike. So, there we have it.
We are currently living in Germany and all tots have those balance bikes (no pedals and no training wheels). I think my 4 1/2 year old is ready to try without training wheels and I thought the European balance bikes were a good idea but, didn’t want to have to buy another bike. Thanks for the suggestion on just taking the pedals off of the bike he already has!
I remember running alongside my older two girls but in the 8 year span between the two sets of kids, we just got old. So we did what any sane old parent would do: give the kid the bike then go inside to drink a cup of coffee. The child will come running inside within 30 minutes to say they can do it, and wouldn’t you know it?? THEY DID!! 😀 This worked with both little ones. Whew!
Too cool! My three kids already know how to ride. We did it the old fashion way. It didn’t take them very long once I finally took the training wheels off, but there were many tears involved with the “I want them off, I want them back on” process. I can’t wait to pass this idea on to friends with littles.
We did this too. Our oldest two were both riding a two wheeler at 4 after a few months of pushing with their feet. The third is well on her way to riding now and she’s only 3. So much easier than training wheels. We use a $5 yard sale bike and it works great so there is no need to buy a special “trainer bike” but do watch out that the bike isn’t too heavy it makes it harder for them to hold it up and balance.
@Clara S., THAT is an excellent idea. I’ve seen those trainer bikes, but they don’t seem worth it unless you have ten kids and buy it with the first child. LOL. A garage sale bike is a great idea.
We have 6 children. After teaching the first two with training wheels we heard about this and gave it a try. It worked great!! But we found out that some bikes are a bit more difficult to remove the pedals on than others. 🙂