Bike Riding

Tips for Learning to Ride

Make sure your child has a well-fitting helmet, teach them to how to put it on independently (it helps to first practise fastening and unfastening the buckle before putting it on)
Practice getting on/off the bike on both sides and picking the bike up from the floor
Practice controlling the bike by pushing a bike with both hands on the handlebar and turning corners, looking around and turning their head side to side while walking
Set the seat height so it is right for your child; their feet should be flat on the ground when seated
Drop the saddle so that the child’s feet can rest flat on the ground. This increases feelings of security for children with poor balance

It may help to take the pedals off at first, and let the child push the bike with their feet, while their balance and confidence improves. Encourage the child to lift their feet and move a short distance whilst holding their balance
It is a little easier for children to balance on bikes with wider tyres
If you are helping your child to learn to ride a bike by running along and holding the saddle, make sure you stand a little behind the child. They won’t then notice when you let go
Stabilisers can be raised gradually. Teach the child to listen to the sound of the “trainer” wheels on the ground: when they can’t hear this sound any more then don’t need stabilisers
Alternatively, remove one trainer wheel until the child becomes confident enough to do without it. It is possible to buy special stabilisers to help improve riding balance. The trainer wheels are gradually moved in towards the main wheel so that the base for balancing on is reduced
Starting the child off on a gentle slope can help. The child puts their feet on the pedals while the adult supports the bicycle. The child then “feels” the pedals moving round