How to Teach a Kid to Ride a Bicycle

Learning with training wheels is the usual way to get used to riding a bicycle.

Learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage. Any child who can keep a two-wheeler upright is cool and accomplished--at least within his neighborhood. Kids who ride bikes safely get a little more freedom than those who still wobble around on tricycles. Bike riding is also a healthy activity you can do for your entire life. Help a child morph into the world of big kids while gaining some independence and confidence--teach a kid how to ride a bike.

Things You'll Need

• Training wheels
• Small two-wheeled bicycle
• Bike safety helmet

Instructions

Using Training Wheels

1. Talk to the child. Find out if he thinks he is ready to learn how to ride a bike. If he says "yes" and has relatively good coordination and balance, explain that you can help him learn to ride his bike. Go over the basic safety precautions--such as always wearing a helmet, looking both ways before riding into the street, alerting pedestrians of his presence and intent to pass and arm turn signals. Do not forget to tell your young rider how to stop.

2. 

   Training wheels help balance a bike.

   Put training wheels on a small, youth-sized bicycle. Some bikes come with the training wheels already attached. If you need to assemble the bike, you will likely have to attach the training wheels to the frame.

3. 

   Children should always wear protective gear.

   Instruct the child to put his helmet on and mount the bike. Encourage him to keep his feet on the ground and get used to the position. Have him turn the handle bars left and right in order to get a feel for them. He should shift his body weight to the left and right to get used to the feeling. Have him push backwards on the pedals to learn how to brake.

4. Tell your child to put his feet up on the pedals. After he is comfortable he should start pedaling. Remind him to keep his eyes on the road in front of him rather than on his pedals. Encourage him to make some turns, stops and starts. He should also practice riding while standing up on the pedals. Do this with him for several days until his balance, coordination and skills are good enough to get rid of the training wheels. He also needs to be confident in his ability.

5. 

   Riding on two wheels is quite an accomplishment.

   Remove the training wheels. Take the kid and the bike to a traffic-free, flat, smooth-surfaced parking lot, basketball court or park path. Have the child practice just pushing himself with his feet on the ground to get a feel for the bike and the balance. As he gets more confident, have him pedal the bike. Hold on to the back of his bike seat for stability and assurance while you run behind him. Do this several times until you are both certain he can do it without assistance.

6. Hold on to the back of the bike seat and help him get the bike started. Once he gains some speed and balance, gently release your grip on the bike. This may take several attempts and a few falls. Keep working together, use encouraging words and before long he will ride with the rest of the neighborhood kids--on two wheels.

Not Using Training Wheels

1. 

   Many children learn to ride on bikes with no pedals.

   Start an older toddler out with a modified bike that has no pedals. You can find these at nearly any bike shop. You can also modify a child's bike by removing the pedals.

2. Encourage her to sit on the seat and push off the ground with her feet. She will learn to steer and balance. As her skills increase, introduce her to a pedal bike.

3. Take her and the pedal bike to a low-traffic parking lot or another large, flat surfaced area. Encourage her to start off like she did with her no-pedal bike. Once her speed picks up, tell her to put her feet on the pedals and push forward. Remind her that pushing the pedals backwards will cause her to stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Use encouraging words to motivate the child. Getting frustrated and angry during the process only makes the child feel bad and discouraged.

• Let the child know they may fall so they are not terrified if it happens.

• Take frequent breaks if the child is getting frustrated.

• Have the child wear long sleeves, long pants and tennis shoes. Elbow guards can come in handy as well.

• Do not try to make a child learn before he is willing and ready.

• Keep it fun.

• The child will likely fall at least a few times. Be prepared for some bumps, scrapes and tears.

• Always watch for traffic, pedestrian, other bikes or motor vehicles.

References

• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: Teaching your Child to Ride a Bicycle
• Disney Family: Teaching Your Child To Ride a Bike