How to Teach Your Child to Ride a Bicycle

Once of the greatest childhood experiences is the freedom that comes from learning to ride a bike. Once your child is comfortable on a bicycle with training wheels, they are ready to learn how to ride a bicycle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bicycle

1. Find a flat, open paved space that is not crowded. A basketball court, tennis court, or empty parking lot are all great places.

2. Sit your child on the bicycle and instruct him or her to keep the handle bar straight and look ahead. Most kids have a tendency to turn the handlebars sharply in one direction when they first start riding a bike. This is the cause of most falls.

3. Check the seat height by making sure the child's legs can comfortably support him on the bike with both feet on the ground.

4. Adjust the seat height as necessary.

5. Have the child begin pedaling while you stand behind the bike with your hand on the underside of the seat.

6. Run behind the child as he pedals, steadying the bike by using your grip on the seat. It is important to let the bike lean from side to side a little so the child can practice centering his or her weight.

7. After about half an hour of practice this way, it is time to let go of the seat. After letting go, you should stay close to catch or steadythe the child as he or she rides the bike.

Tips & Warnings

• The height of the seat for a child learning to ride a bike will be much lower than the height they use for riding the bike after they have learned to ride