How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike without Training Wheels

For your child, learning to ride a bike means speed, freedom and a huge sense of accomplishment. You can help them with this important milestone and create a lifetime of memories. Follow these basic guidelines and your child will be up and riding in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a child
• a bike that fits and is correctly adjusted
• a helmet
• adjustable wrench for the training wheels (optional)

1. 
   a special moment

   Know your child. Some children like to do things at their own pace. Others take instruction from a parent well. Decide which one describes your child and adjust your approach accordingly.

2. 
   oh.... the anticipation!

   Pick a day, time and place. The day should be a weekend when everyone has lots of energy. The time should be early in the day to ensure a positive attitude and avoid fatigue. The place? a large open grass field-- for falling.

3. 
   good luck

   Take off the training wheels. Let your child help. Make sure to tighten all the nuts when you put the bike back together.

4. 
   drop the seat down

   Lower the seat on the bike. This makes dismounting much, much easier. It'll prevent a few, but not all, falls. And it lowers the center of gravity a bit for better balance.

5. 
   hold on

   Hold the back of the seat and let the kid climb on. Without the training wheels you are preventing her from falling.

6. 
   run, run as fast as you can

   Now run while she pedals. While holding the back of the seat.

7. 
   a big moment

   If your child feels comfortable with this, try letting go after a few steps.

8. Repeat over and over and over. At some point you'll be able to just give your child a big push and let then speed away on the grass.

9. 
   way to go

   The final step. Have your child practice starting on their own. This is harder than you might think. One foot on the ground. The other foot on the pedal at the summit of the pedaling cycle. With a big stomp down and a little push off the ground they'll get it.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your child doesn't get it right away, celebrate their effort. Kids love ice cream.
• Take lots of breaks -- lay in the grass, go on the swings or have a picnic
• Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Lance Armstrong. This could take all summer, be patient.
• Children should ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding a bike.