This is a follow-up to our post on Teaching Children to Ride a Tricycle. Once your little one has mastered tricycle riding, you may be ready to introduce the next big challenge: riding a two-wheeled bicycle!
Riding a bicycle requires a combination of strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, and body awareness. Compared with a tricycle, a bicycle has a narrower base of support and requires more strength and control to pedal, steer, and maintain balance.
For many children, a balance bike is a great first step.
Why Start With a Balance Bike?
Before transitioning to a traditional pedal bike, children can use a balance bike to practice many of the skills they’ll need for independent riding, including:
- Getting on and off the bike
- Moving forward
- Shifting their weight
- Steering
- Navigating around obstacles
- Developing balance and body awareness
What to Look for in a Balance Bike
Adjustable Seat: Child should be able to sit comfortably with both feet touching the ground. An adjustable seat also allows the bike to grow with your child.
Adjustable Handlebars: Child should be able to comfortably grip the handlebars with relaxed shoulders and slightly bent elbows.
Lightweight Frame: A lighter bike is easier for a child to maneuver and easier for an adult to carry. Ideally, the bike should weigh less than about 40% of your child’s body weight.
Durable Materials: Balance bikes may be made from wood, steel, aluminum, or composite materials. Aluminum and composite frames tend to offer a nice combination of durability and light weight.
Our Favorite Balance Bikes
Schwinn Balance Bike: offers foot to floor frame, adjustable seat and handlebars, and air-filled tires. 
Strider Balance Bike: offers lightweight frame, adjustable seat and handlebar height, provides both mini-saddle and larger saddle size to accommodate child as they grow! 
Radio Flyer Balance Bike: offers traction-tread tires, adjustable seat and sturdy frame.
Choosing a First Pedal Bike
Once your child is comfortable on a balance bike and is showing interest in riding a pedal bike, you can begin working on the transition.
Bike fit matters! A bike that is too large, heavy, or difficult to control can make learning much harder.
Here are some features to consider:
Seat Height: Your child’s inseam should be at least equal to the bike’s minimum seat height. The correct seat height will allow your child to maintain an appropriate position while pedaling.
Center of Gravity: Bikes with a lower center of gravity tend to be easier for beginning riders to balance and control, particularly at slower speeds.
Handlebars: Look for handlebars that allow your child to maintain a comfortable position with appropriate arm extension. A well positioned handlebar can improve both steering and overall bike control.
Wheelbase: A longer wheelbase generally provides greater stability, which can be helpful for beginning riders.
Weight: As with balance bikes, lighter is generally better. Ideally, a child’s bike should weigh less than about 40% of their body weight.
Body Position: A comfortable, relatively upright position allows your child’s weight to stay centered over the bike and can make balancing easier.
Bike Width: Some children’s bikes are wider than necessary, requiring children to splay their legs while pedaling. Bikes designed specifically for children often have narrower frames and components that better match a child’s body.
Braking Mechanism: Consider the type of brakes when choosing a bike.
- Coaster (back-pedal) brakes can be challenging for children transitioning from a balance bike. Kids may naturally backpedal when they lose balance, which can unexpectedly activate the brake.
- Freewheel bikes allow children to backpedal without activating the brake, making the transition from a balance bike easier.
- For hand brakes, make sure your child can easily squeeze the brake lever. If you can’t activate it comfortably with your pinky, it may be difficult for your child to use. Practice braking while walking alongside the bike so your child can learn how much pressure to apply.
Teaching Your Child to Ride a Bicycle
Once you have a properly fitted bike, it’s time to practice!
Practice Weight Shifting with Feet on Ground
Start with the seat low enough that your child’s feet can comfortably touch the ground.
Practice shifting weight from side to side while sitting on the bike. This helps your child begin to understand how their body position affects the bike.
Practice Weight Shifting with Feet on Pedals
Once your child is comfortable, have them place their feet on the pedals.
Provide gentle support at the back of the bike while shifting it slightly from side to side. Encourage your child to shift their weight along with the bike.
Practice Turning
Turning while shifting weight requires a higher level of balance and motor planning.
With support at the back of the bike, practice shifting the bike and your child’s body in the direction you want them to turn.
Try a Small Downhill
Once your child is comfortable balancing, try starting partway up a small, gentle hill.
Raise the seat so there is a slight bend in your child’s leg when the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke. Allow your child to pedal downhill and use the momentum to continue onto a flat surface.
This can help children experience the feeling of pedaling without having to generate all of the forward motion themselves.
Practice on Level Ground
Once your child is comfortable balancing and pedaling downhill, move to a flat, open area.
Now you can work on:
- Starting independently
- Pedaling smoothly
- Maintaining balance
- Controlling speed
- Steering
Practice Stopping, Starting & Navigating Obstacles
As your child’s confidence grows, introduce simple obstacles such as colorful cones. Practice riding around them, stopping, starting again, and using the brakes.
Other Helpful Tips
Safety First!
Don’t forget the helmet! Starting safe riding habits early is important. Teach your child basic bicycle safety and riding rules as they develop their skills.
Choose Supportive Shoes
Shoes with rubber soles can help keep your child’s feet on the pedals and provide a stable base for pushing off.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Avoid baggy clothing that could get caught on the bike. Make sure shoelaces are tucked away and that clothing allows your child’s legs to move freely.
Give Riding a Purpose
Once your child has developed the basic skills needed to balance and pedal, give them a destination or a goal.
Having a purpose can help children focus on the larger task of riding while also encouraging them to pay attention to their surroundings, an important skill for independent bicycle riding.
Our Favorite Bicycles
Diamondback Bicycles: offers lightweight frame, low saddle, allow for smoother ride.
RoyalBaby BMX Bicycles: offers multiple size options, handle at back of bike seat for ease in training, padded seat and easy grip handlebars.
Schwinn Koen Bicycle: offers lighter frame, cranks and pedals are positioned forward, & gearing designed for easier starting.
What If My Child Isn’t Ready for a Traditional Bicycle?
A traditional bicycle isn’t the right fit for every child. Adaptive bicycles, including hand-powered and recumbent options, can provide opportunities for movement, independence, and fun for children with different strength, balance, or motor planning needs.
The goal isn’t necessarily riding a traditional two-wheeled bike. It’s finding a way for your child to move, explore, and participate.
Learn more about Dinosaur Physical Therapy!
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great article.
I am a big fan of the Woom bikes for kids. They have a whole line that allows them to learn on a balance bike and then graduate to a larger size as they grow.
I noticed there is no comment in regards to training wheels, yet some bikes recommended have them pictured. What is the thought behind training wheels. Use them? Don’t?
Thank you for your comment! It really depends on the child. If you are transitioning from a tricycle you can usually forego training wheels and follow the steps listed above to work on independent bike riding. You can use training wheels to help the child grow accustomed to sitting on a bike and using their legs to pedal, but they will not help them learn to balance. So usually they are a short term fix! Feel free to email us directly at info@dinopt.com if you have any questions!