Learning to ride a bicycle can be quite a daunting experience for a child, however the right training method for riding a bike can make it a easy, enjoyable experience for you and your child. To make this little life lesson as painless as you possibly can, put the focus on the most significant element of bike riding…balance.
The most typical errors that parents make when teaching their kid to ride a bike is either allowing their child or themselves to be drawn in by the “cool†bike or the girly, little princess bicycle that’s simply too big for their child’s body. Even from age 2 ½ a young child can learn how to ride, but they will never be able to do it on a bicycle that’s too big for them. For many years, balance bikes have been a popular option in Europe for instructing very young children to ride a bike. These balance bikes have become popular the United States as well.
A balance bike has no pedals, chain or sprockets. It’s actually self-propelled by the child and usually sits much lower to the ground than the conventional pedaled bike you might find in Wal-Mart. This low-profile seat permits the youngster to place their own feet securely on the ground and push themselves along the pavement or even your lawn. Gradually they will attain confidence and move their legs more vigorously, trying out their own feeling of stability and motor skills. In a very short time, many kids get the feel for balance and steering and will coast around on the bicycle effortlessly.
Balance bikes come in both wooden and metal variations. The wood bike is without question popular in Europe. It’s toy-like design generally appeals to very young children and is a great choice for kids 2-3 years old who possess the motor skills to begin the process of learning to ride. Even older boys and girls might find a connection between the wood blocks, puzzles and toys that they have enjoyed in the past and these wooden balance bikes.
A metal balance bike is very similar to a traditional bike, however it has no scary pedals, chain and sprockets. These bicycles are much smaller than a standard bicycle, an important aspect to make a boy or girl comfortable when introducing bike riding activities.  The seat sits in a very low profile that enables even small children to place their feet securely on the ground while sitting. Many steel balance bikes include foot rests which help youngsters keep their feet in a protected place when coasting and many even convert into to pedal bicycles with easy-to-use conversion systems.
For those who have a child over the age of eight who still struggle to learn the skill of operating a bike, you might think about converting their traditional bicycle into a balance bike. Get rid of the pedals and bring down the height of the seat as low as possible.  Start the child on a gradual incline and let them coast, with feet skimming the ground until they reach the bottom of the hill.
Whatever approach you use to teach your kid to ride a bike, an excellent tool is your own reassurance and calm. Every successful coast of a few feet should be met with raucous cheers. Be motivating, positive and supportive. Even with the assistance of a balance bike, learning to ride might be a scary experience for a little one.
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