Teaching your child to ride a bike is a right of passage, launching her into a world of greater mobility and autonomy. The endeavor can intimidate some children and adults, but new methods simplify the learning process by teaching the basic component skills one at a time. Children vary in their psychological and physical readiness to ride a bike, but most are ready sometime between the ages of 3 and 6 according to IBike.
Preparation
Step 1
Purchase a scooter. Scooters will help him learn how to steer and balance on two wheels, while keeping him close to the ground. Scooters with larger tires and hand brakes give your child experience in braking. There are few brands to choose from.
Step 2
Select a bicycle for your child. Do not get an oversized bike figuring your child will grow into it. They'll have greater control over a bike that is the appropriate size. Have your child straddle the bike, legs slightly apart, with both feet flat on the ground. Select a bike that allows at least two inches clearance between the cross bar and your child's crotch. Bike wheel sizes range from 12 to 24 inches. Consult IBike for a chart that recommends bike wheel dimensions according to age and inseam size.
Step 3
Lower the seat so your child can have both feet flat on the ground. Don't lower the seat so far that your child must bend her legs too much. Legs should almost be straight when both feet are flat on the ground.
Step 4
Prepare your child for biking practice. Tie shoes carefully and secure long pants with a rubber band so his pant legs can't get caught in the bike sprockets. Have him wear a well-fitted bike helmet every time he rides the bike.
Teach Balance, Braking, Steering and Pedaling
Step 1
Run with your child as she scoots the bike along a flat surface. But don't hold onto her or the bike. Encourage her to balance on the moving bicycle without putting her feet down for support. Make a game of it, counting how long she can coast without using her feet.
Alternatively, instead of using a flat surface, you can find an open grassy area with a slight incline. Start at the top of the incline. Have your child push forward slightly to start rolling--and allow the incline of the hill provide the necessary momentum.
Step 2
Teach steering technique. Initially, have your child make large looping turns. Set out some small pieces of paper or crackers as targets. Have your child steer the bike to run over the target.
Step 3
Teach how to properly brake. Have your child slowly apply pressure to the coaster or hand brakes before reaching the bottom of the incline. Practice braking repeatedly until your child can stop quickly while maintaining balance. Mix it up. Have your child brake when you yell "stop", and have him coast and stop on some preset targets of crackers or paper.
Once your child is skilled and confident in his coasting, steering and braking abilities, move on to the next step.
Step 4
Introduce pedaling to the lesson. Have your child start to pedal the bike during a coast. Keep the initial pedaling to a pre-designated distance of 20 or 30 yards.
Step 5
Teach your child how to start pedaling from a stopped position. Have her sit on the bike with one foot on the ground and the other resting on a pedal that is past the top of its rotation and positioned about halfway down on the down-stroke. Tell your child to press down on the pedal similar to when she pushed off the ground to coast. Support your child by placing your hand on the bike seat or on her shoulder as she pushes off--but allow your child to provide the balance.
Tips and Warnings
- As your child's comfort with balancing, steering, pedaling, coasting and stopping increases you can graduate to a "road trip". Have your child follow you as you take a brief ride down the block and back to your driveway. Before you take any longer road trips, give your child a tutorial on bike and road safety. For information to include in your tutorial, consult online child bike safety sites such as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or Kids Health.
Things You'll Need
- Bicycle for your child
- Bicycle for adult
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