When should you teach your kids to ride a bike?

You might have heard the saying, “it’s as easy as riding a bike”, but when you’re learning to cycle for the first time, it’s seems anything but easy.

Learning to ride a bike is an important milestone in a child’s life. It’s the moment that they gain a smidgen of independence and perhaps the first time that they’ve experienced anything as terrifying as being expected to balance on two wheels.

Many parents are eager to pass on their skills to the little ones, but when is the right time to initiate them into the world of cycling?

According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, children under the age of 1 year should not be allowed to use ride-on toys while those from the age of 3 years children are capable of operating pedalled toys with a minimum of three-wheels. Once children reach the age of 4-5 years, they begin to show more of an interest in two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and scooters and this is therefore an ideal time to teach them to ride.

Other research suggests that some children will be able to master the art of riding a bike by just three and a half. However, if you want to leave it later, by six, it shouldn’t take longer than an hour for your little one to be riding off into the sunset without you.

Young children of around three and four years may have the ability to pedal, but balance still eludes them. If you’re keen to start the family bike ride, you could consider a tricycle or a bike with stabilisers.

Learning on a three-wheeler will teach children some of the basics, such as pedalling and the importance of staying safe when riding, in preparation for their progression to a real bike. While your child might end up being the next Bradley Wiggins, for now, you can concentrate on looking at suitable bikes for your child. There are plenty of options available in the marketplace, from major bicycle retailers to second-hand ones on popular buying portals (such as this).

The size of the bike used is also really important to your child’s success. It is vital to get your child measured for their bike at a bike retailer as this will ensure they are the right size for the bike.

Also, basic safety should be taken into consideration – helmets are a must. When a child is first learning; they will fall off a few times, so be sure to protect them from hurting themselves as much as possible.

Teaching your child to ride a bike is a wonderful experience and something you will remember for years to come.

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