Balance bikes are specifically designed bike to get kids riding early and teaches them the skill of balance. A Balance Bike has no pedals and kids use their legs to propel, and stop the bike.
A Balance Bike teaches balance
The primary skill before you can progress to any other skill when learning to ride a bike is balance. You cannot stay upright, steer or pedal a bike unless you can first balance a bike. Hence it makes perfect sense that we teach. learn and perfect the skill of balance first… here we see the simple beauty of the balance bike, it simplifies riding and teaches balance first.
goRide strongly advocates that you start your child’s learn to ride journey by providing kids with the opportunity to ride a balance bike.
Say goodbye to the days of trainer wheels or the back breaking task of Mum and Dad running behind the bike balancing it. The balance bike makes the motor skills required to ride a bike easier to learn and allows your child to focus on the skills required to learn to ride a bike in sequence. It teaches them to master the skill of balance on a bike first and then steering before they progress to a pedal bike.
Features of a Balance Bike that support learning to rideÂ
Balance bikes also assist the early rider as they are easier to handle and ride because they are :
- Lighter than pedal bikes
- They have a lower centre of gravity making learning to balance the bike easier
- They have a lower seat height than pedal bikes – making them suitable for a younger age
- Without pedals they simplfy the skills that are needed to ride
The Balance Bike versus training wheels/stabilisers on a pedal bike
In the past training wheels or also known as stabiliers on a pedal bike has been used in assisting kids in learning to ride. There are multiple reasons why the balance bike should be your choice to assist your child on their learn to ride journey rather than training wheels
- As described above being lighter with a lower centre of gravity and seat make it easier for the younger child to handle
- Training wheels/ stabilisers do not teach your child to balance (as the training wheels/stabilisers are doing the job of keeping the bike upright) therefore they are not learning the very first skill they must learn to ride a bike…balance
- When corning or riding in a curve/arc on a bike to balance the bike your child needs to learn to lean into the corner or arc. Training wheels/stabilisers actually teach your child to lean away from the corner or arc.
Learning to ride and developing skills on a Balance Bike
Use our balance bike learning to ride resource to help you with teaching the phases of riding. Get assistance from our programme and kit to develop their love of riding.
Kids Learning to Ride
Home or playground based Kids Learn to Ride Programme using a balance bike.
Develop kids motor skills with fun & challenging activities on a balance bike. This is a great learning resource for confidence on a bike.
Improve their Biking Confidence
Give your child an amazing foundation for movement.
Prepare them for an easy transition to a pedal bike.
Hours of fun structured play suitable for 18 months to 5/6 year olds.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Balance Bike Buying Guide
What is the best balance bike for your child? There are many factors to consider in your decision. Use our Buying Guide get the right Balance Bike solution.
The Right Balance Bike
Learn about the features of a balance bike. What will be important for your child and the type of balance bike riding they will do?
Balance Bike Riding - How old should they be?
Learn when your child might be ready to start to explore using a balance bike. What skills are compatible with learning to ride a balance bike.
Balance Bike Sizing Guide
Learn about size of a balance bike. Make sure your child can comfortably ride now and as they grow and develop..
Learning to ride a Balance Bike
Understand why the balance bike…is the best way to teach kids to ride.
Safety Tips for Balance Bike Riders
Balance bikes can give your young child the ability to ride with speed. Make sure you have considered what is important to keep them safe as eraly riders.
Make Balance Bike Riding Fun
Like any skill the more you do it the better they get. Make learning to ride their balance bike fun and they will choose to ride.
First Bike Helmet
Everything we ask for in a first bike helmet. Lightweight, good head coverage, adjustable, chin pinch guard. The back of this helmet is flat so toddlers can sit in bike seats.
The Right Kids Bike Helmet
Understand what is important when considering the right bike helmet for your child.
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Hi just wondering I have 2 and half years old son and I wanna he to learn balance bike. Is it here to teach that? Thank you
Hi Melody. We are working on a learn to ride programe that parents can use to support their child at home to learn to ride a balance bike and transition to their first bike. Unfortunately that is not available yet. You tube can be a good resource to find some tips on how to support your child. We can help support you to get a balance bike and (helmet if required) to get you started on your child’s learn to ride journey. Please let us know if we can help. Thanks Jo