Coaster Brake

Coaster Brake

When teaching a child to ride a bike

When is the right time to take the training wheels and teach your child to ride their own two-wheeler? It can never be easy, but once your child learns, is a skill that will have for life. This weekend we were on the edge with a group of friends and when the time came for the bike ride in the morning, one of the women, now in his mid-40, admitted that he never learned to walk cycling. It was a shame because it was lost in a beautiful, healthy activity, fun morning.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. Do not push your child to ride a two-wheeled bike until he or she is willing, at the age of 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick wheel brakes until the child is older and more experienced.

2. Take your child with you when you buy the bike, so he or she can try. The value of a good bike fit is much greater than the value of surprising your child with a new bike.

3. Buy a bike that is the appropriate size not a child has to "grow." Large motorcycles are especially dangerous.

4. How to test any style of bike for proper fit:

a. Sitting in the seat with hands on the handlebar, your child should be able to place the balls of your feet on the ground.
b. Straddling the center bar, your child must be able to stand with both feet flat on the ground with a distance of about 1-inch between your crotch and the bar.
c. When buying a bike with brakes hand for an older child, make sure that the child can easily understand and apply the brakes enough pressure to stop the bike.

5. A helmet should be standard equipment. Every time you buy a bike, make sure you have a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved helmet for your child.

The process to teach your child to ride his first two wheels likely will not be easy. There will be some frustration on both sides of his and maybe a few tears (both pieces!), but persevere! It will be worth the effort when you can ride with their friends year after year after year.

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About the Author

I produced the Romper Room and Friends TV show and Bowling for Dollars when I worked for Claster Television in the '80's and '90's. With three kids of my own, I stopped working there in 1996. Today I am a freelance writer and preschool teacher and I am in the process of publishing my first book about preschool advice for parents. Check out my blog at www.preschoolteach.blogspot.com Please contact me at: terribakman@gmail.com