4 tips for teaching your child to ride a bike

Teaching a child to ride a bike can feel like an overwhelming task. Where do you even start? What do you need to know?

Dr. Tyler Hall, a pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital, offers four tips to simplify the process – and keep it fun:

1. Start with a balance bike

Many children benefit from first trying out a balance bike. These are designed without pedals and allow a child to move around on the bike by pushing off the ground. Balance bikes help children get comfortable with supporting themselves on a bike while in motion. Some children as young as 2 years old may be ready to try a balance bike. Whether you start out with a balance bike or move straight to a traditional bike, have your child practice mounting and dismounting the bike to build comfortability.

2. Keep it safe

Anyone riding a bike should wear a properly fitted helmet. Involve your child in their helmet purchase to help them be more interested in wearing it and keeping it on. A helmet should fit level across a child’s forehead one inch above the eyebrows. The chin strap should be snug. The helmet should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back when tested.

Make sure your child is wearing proper footwear, such as gym shoes, and consider the use of elbow and knee pads. Make sure the bike seat is in the appropriate position for your child and ensure the tires are fully inflated.

3. Know when to take a break or stop

Be mindful of how long your child usually focuses on a task and keep attempts to ride a bike short and sweet. The more frustrated or scared your child is, the less successful the practice will be. Don’t push your child to keep trying if they’d like to walk away and revisit. They likely won’t learn how to ride in one sitting, so take your time and manage your own expectations.

4. Find a safe practice space

Learning to ride a bike will require understanding how to start, stop and turn. You’ll want to find a wide, smooth path without obstacles, other people, or traffic to help your child stay focused and safe. Avoid narrow pathways or short driveways, because when the surface your child is riding on changes, it can be difficult for them to continue pedaling, or they may fall.

“Allow your child to pedal independently to build up momentum,” says Dr. Hall. “Parents running alongside and pushing the bike can impede the child’s balancing technique and learning how to ride a bike on his or her own.”

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