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.
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
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.
Want more from your riding?
Be supported to Ride as a Family,and/or receive Seasonal Inspiration. So you can SMILE when you ride.
First time round it was easy. Â There were wide open spaces everywhere and cars went slowly. Â You know it would be good for you – getting back into bike riding or perhaps you’re considering learning to ride for the first time. Â The fresh air and sunshine, the exercise and companionship are a recipe for good health and staying young.
So whats holding you back?
I’m too old for this     Â
I’m too unfit     Â
I have no time     Â
My joints will ache too much     Â
What if I get a puncture – how will I fix it? Â Â
I’ll feel silly because everyone else will be better than me     Â
I don’t know where to start    Â
My husband was going to buy me a bike but now he’s gone Â
Large people don’t ride bikes    Â
What if I fall off? Â Â Â Â Â
I don’t know where the trails are or which ones to go on
Do any of these excuses sound familiar? Well it’s time to stop.
If having fun, being safe, feeling comfortable and a doable ride sounds like you then it’s time to get back into bike riding (check out our story “How to have a ‘Great Day’ on the Bike” it has some really useful information).  As you begin to ride again, or for the first time, try to think of your riding as a way of life, just something that you do, rather than a sport or exercise program.  Here are some more tips and suggestions to make this new experience as smooth and easy as possible.
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Your pace
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as slow as YOUÂ need to be. Â Small distances are fine (to the end of your street). Â Think about start and stop points and combining a ride with a bus/train trip or parking the car. Â Getting off on a hill is OK if that’s what you need to do. Â Be patient, make it fun not another task you have to achieve. Â Think small steps leading to significant gains.
It’s not only pace but place.  Think about the types of terrain you would enjoy riding on and the sights you would enjoy seeing.  If traffic scares you only ride on cycletrails or shared patheways to begin with.  Begin slowly with easily obtained goals, let your body adjust and become used to the bike.  Nobody is watching you and judging, we are all different and we all have our own challenges to overcome.
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With friends
one of the greatest pleasures you can find from riding is how easy it is to share with friends and family so let them know what you are planning to do and get them involved.  You will be amazed at the time that has flown by while you’re chatting – safely –  with a friend.  It’s totally fine if all you’re doing to being with is nodding in agreement while focusing on breathing – don’t be scared to stop for a rest, you’re with friends.
organised groups – look for community notices, bike club events or start a group of your own. Â If you get involved with a diverse group of people who enjoy riding there will always be someone planning something or wanting to go try something new. Â You can get inspired by this and then inspire others with what you would like from your riding.
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Be committed
consistency is important. Â Schedule rides and make them a priority in your day and week. Â Shorter rides more often is better for you than one long ride in the weekend. Â Look for opportunities where you could ride your bike rather than take the car.
friends and family can help. Â It’s always harder to cancel a ride when you are letting someone else down.
don’t let the weather scare you off completely. Â Make plans around it or get good protective gear – layers for warmth, a jacket for the wind & rain, sunglasses/sunscreen, gloves & socks for the extremities…[/full_width]
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Get some help
Good body position on the bike is important.
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try a community centre learn to ride program or community/bike shop basic maintenance course.  Extend your confidence with a coaching session e.g. learn to ride off road with Wheel Women –  for Nelson/Tasman ladies.  Your local Sport Trust could be running learn to ride programs or Women’s Only rides.  Get in contact with them and find out what’s being offered in your region.  They will know who is doing what.
learn a bit about your bike and the tools that go with it.  It can be simple, start here, our resources are designed for beginners just like you.
think about other exercise that could support your riding. Â Building endurance, strength, flexibility and balance work will all improve the experience you have on your bike. Â Good examples are yoga and weight training. Â Read more about your body position on a bike with our Chi Riding Series.
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Set a goal
rethink your horizons, focus on health, well being and learning a new skill or using new equipment/tools.  Riding should become a part of who you are leading to you naturally choosing to ride more places, more often.
think about where in your community, region, country or world you would like to explore by bike.  Get some ideas from reading our Women’s Profiles or ‘Great Day’ on the bike stories.
enter a women’s only event – there’s nothing like a deadline to scare you into riding…e.g. Spring Challenge or a women’s triathlon.
West Coast Wilderness Trail
“It’s not what YOU ride but that YOU ride
It’s not how fast YOU go, it’s about enjoying the ride
It’s not when YOU started riding, but continuing to ride each day”
goRide is a shared journey, so we would like you to assist in guiding it along the way. Contact goRide. Your thoughts, comments or feedback are welcome. Thank you for being a part of the goRide way.[/themeone_section]
First time round it was easy. Â There were wide open spaces everywhere and cars went slowly. Â You know it would be good for you – getting back into bike riding or perhaps you’re considering learning to ride for the first time. Â The fresh air and sunshine, the exercise and companionship are a recipe for good health and staying young.
