How to Teach Kids to Ride Without Training Wheels

With a little practice, all children can learn to ride a bike.

Learning to ride a bike without training wheels isn't easy for most children, but with some help any child can master this skill. The key is to slowly add steps and not move on until the child is comfortable.

Learn to Coast

After strapping on his helmet, take the child to a grassy area with a slight incline. Take them up the incline about 15 feet and then, facing them downhill, let go of the bike to let him coast down the slight hill with his feels raised in the air. Run alongside him and grab the bike if it swerves too much to help him feel secure.

Get Comfortable

Have the child practice this coasting exercise as long as he needs to until he feels comfortable. As he finds his balance, he should need you to run alongside less. Practice this until he doesn't need your help and feels comfortable.

Add Pedals

Once he feels confident with coasting downhill, have the child put his feet on the pedals for a few runs. Then have him start pedaling the bike as he coasts downhill. Repeat this exercise until the child is comfortable with this motion.

Move to Flat Ground

Now that the child is comfortable with balancing himself on the bike and pedaling, move him to a flat patch of grassy land. Demonstrate how to push off on the pedals in order to start moving from a standstill, then have him try. After he tries this and becomes confident, have him practice turning the handlebars until he's able to change direction on his own.

References

• Ibike: Tips for Teaching Bicycling