There are some kiddos who simply hop on a bike at about 2 years old & start riding. Training wheels not necessary. I know this because I saw it with my own two eyes when we lived in Edinburgh. (A little boy in our neighborhood was a kinesthetic genius, if you're familiar with Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.)
Anyway, our kids were the "normal" sort who had to go through a certain progression in order to be comfortable riding sans training wheels.
Now that we're all four bike riders in our family, Hunter and I are really itching to get bikes of our own so that our family can go hit some of the amazing bike trails in our state. We need to start checking out Craigslist for a couple of "hardly used at all" bikes.
Here are the basic steps we took when it came to turning our kids into bike riders:
(1) First Things First: Scooter Balance -- Years ago, my sister-in-law told us that if the kid can initially focus on developing skills on his/her Razor scooter, a lot will be accomplished. Proficient scooter riding is great preparation for bike riding. Namely, on the scooter, the child learns the "feeling" of keeping balance. As soon as our kids were old enough to be capable, we got them scooters. When a kid first rides on the scooter, he will do a lot of push push pushing with the pusher foot. Over time, we tried to encourage the "scooter glide." (i.e., both feet on the scooter, gliding down a gentle hill.) As time goes on and confidence grows, the child can pick up speed and do lots of figure 8s to practice balancing even while doing a speedy turn.
*sidenote* Our strategy was to start the kids off wearing helmets even when they were 2 years old, inching along the sidewalk at about 0.03mph on a Seasame Street scooter. Our reasoning was: if they get into the habit of wearing a helmet from the very beginning, it won't ever really be a battle later. ("But Mommy, I don't want to wear a helmet..." We didn't really want to deal with that.) The habit is formed early & it's never debated later.
(2) Next: Ride Bike With Training Wheels -- Next, we got our kids bikes with training wheels. The basic idea is to get used to two major things: how to pedal and how to brake. Additionaly, they learn the basics of steering & how the bike responds to a shift in direction.
(3) Finally: Have a Date with Daddy on a Grassy Slope -- Years ago, when Superboy was ready to drop the training wheels, Hunter did a little online research. He wanted to know about the best way to make the transition from training wheels to no training wheels. Hunter and I both had the traditional image in our mind's eye: hold on to the back of the bike, run behind your kid as he pedals & then eventually give a little push and let go. However, after Hunter read a particular online article, which proposed an alternative strategy (the "grassy slope" strategy), he decided to go for the grassy slope method. Superboy was instantly successful using this method, and Hunter and I officially became Grassy Slope Adherents.
The basic concept is that the child starts at the top of a grassy slope. (helmet on, seated on bike, training wheels are removed)
First, the child puts her legs out to the side of the bike (hanging down on each side; not on pedals) and simply rolls down the hill.
Repeat as necessary. Give lots of encouragement and generate excitement.
Then, start at the top of the grassy slope again. This time, roll down the slope with feet on the pedals.
Repeat as necessary. Give lots of encouragement and generate excitement.
Lastly, go back to the top of the slope. Ride down the slope with feet on pedals, but this time, slowly put on the brakes. Learn what it feels like to come to a stop. Remember to put your foot out when you stop, because now that the training wheels are gone, you can't keep both feet on the pedals after you stop the bike.
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Okay, I've given you the short summary of the Grassy Slope method, but here's the full version:
Teach Your Kids to Ride Without Training Wheels in One Easy Lesson
Back when Hunter first tried this method, he and Superboy spent about 20 minutes on the slope, then they went to the sidewalk, where Superboy rode around confidently, like he'd been doing it all his life. It was a great day.
Then, when it was Pumpkin's turn, we wondered if the same exact method would generate the same great results.
When Hunter sensed Pumpkin was ready, he took her out to the same slope. They spent about 20 minutes on the slope, and then progressed to the sidewalk. She was a picture of joy--grinning from ear to ear as she rode down the sidewalk. Hooray! The method had worked again.
Isn't bike riding wonderful? As a kid, it's such a great feeling. I have really fond memories of bike riding as a kid. In my mind, it's sort of a metphor for the secure, happy, and carefree feeling that I associate with my childhood. (Pause to say a prayer of thanksgiving, because I know not to take that for granted. So, so grateful to the Lord.)
And really, there aren't many downsides to riding a bike. It's green. It's great exercise. There's a fun rhythm to it. It allows the rider to be outside & to enjoy God's beautiful creation. In a way, it's sort of therapeutic.Yay for bike riding! Now I've pumped myself up about it and I'm itching for a fun family ride on a scenic bike trail. I guess I'll sign off here & head over to the List-o-Craig.
*posted by Abbie*
p.s. If you have bike-related tips or advice, please do share! I'd love to hear it.
p.s. Sorry there's no picture to accompany this post. It really bugs me when I post without a photo. But at the moment, that's the way it is.
p.p.s. As I type out this post, Hunter is sitting next to me watching The Parking Lot on Netflix Watch it Now. These parking lot attendants are cracking me up. Man, do I love a good documentary.
