It’s a massive moment for any child (and their bike-mad parent) – learning to ride on your own, without stabilisers or support. But there are real pitfalls to avoid, so what is the best way to teach a child to cycle? We asked Isla Rowntree, founder of hugely successful children’s bike company Islabikes, to come and show us.
First things first, the best way to get a child started on a pedal bike is by giving them a balance bike to practise on first, says Isla. The child learns how to balance and steer a two-wheeler, without the complication of pedalling and taking your feet off the ground at the same time.
Many children learn to ride with stabilisers, but they’re a no-no for Isla. “We don’t recommend that for most children, as it holds the bike in a rigid upright position, so they don’t learn to lean the bike in order to balance and steer,” she adds.
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1. Gauge if the child is ready
Most children will be ready to learn between 3.5 and 4.5 years of age. If they’re not ready, it’s usually pretty obvious right away, and they won’t get the hang of moving the pedals in circles quickly. If children see other kids riding, they’ll get some sort of idea about turning the pedals. Remember, children are hardwired to learn to walk and run, but not to cycle.
2. Choose a suitable area
It’s important to choose a suitable area for their first lesson. It can be tempting to choose soft grass as it’ll give a softer landing, but this is actually harder to pedal on. What you actually want is a smooth and fairly flat tarmac surface that’ll let the child get some rolling momentum, ideally with plenty of space so the child can roam around, and of course away from traffic.
3. Get the bike set up
4. Support the child in their first efforts
5. Gradually let go (but stay ready to catch them)
6. Starting off on their own
7. Learning to brake
8. Try, try again
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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