How To Teach Your Child To Ride A Bike
One of the most important skills you can teach your children is how to ride a bike. It’s one of the first ways you can teach them a little independence so it’s certainly something you shouldn’t overlook unless you can help it. Here are a few tips to help your little ones get to grips with their first UK children’s bikes today.
It might seem like a good idea to buy a bike your kid can grow into but this could actually damage the learning process if it’s too big for them. Check that your child can stand over the top tube and still have both feet on the ground. They need to feel comfortable on the bicycle and in control at all times.
Think about where to go
Picking the right place for learning to ride a bike is a must. If you have a big garden then that’s fine, but you need to go somewhere where there isn’t going to be any traffic in case your child falls off. Find somewhere flat as well – make it as easy for them as you can!
Take the training wheels off
Once your child is confident at riding their bike with training wheels, take them off. They may be a bit unsteady at first but they’re never going to learn how to balance on their own otherwise. You could also take the pedals off so they can work out how to balance even more effectively.
Put the pedals back on
Once your child knows how to coast on their bike with their feet up off the ground, you can put the pedals back on. Keep the seat low down so your child is able to put their feet on the ground if they wobble a bit. Then ask them to find the pedals with your feet and show them how to start moving the bike from a stationary position.
Show them how it’s done
Once they’re feeling more confident with pedalling and can set off on their own, get on your bike and have your child follow you around. Remember to go slowly and make a few turns so they can practice this as well.
Don’t forget to teach braking skills
Never forget to reinforce the importance of knowing how to brake properly. Do some emergency stops so your kid knows what’ll happen when they press the brake but also make sure you teach them about gradual braking and how they can use front and rear brakes at the same time.
Get the right equipment
Don’t forget to invest in a cycle helmet, elbow and knee pads, as well as fingerless cycling gloves so that if your little one does take a tumble it isn’t the end of the world. As they feel more confident you can reduce the amount of safety equipment – but make sure they always wear a helmet whenever they’re on their bike.
Check out this YouTube video for even more hints and tips.
