Teaching Toddlers To Ride A Bike
Biking is a great family activity that is fun for all ages and gives everyone exercise. You would be surprised how early kids can learn to ride a bike. We have the top 6 tips you need to help teach your toddler to ride a bike!
What Age Should My Child Be Able to Ride a Bike?
Kids usually learn to ride a bike between the ages of 3 and 8, and the average age just over 5. There are a lot of different developmental factors that will influence when your child is ready to learn, or is able to ride a bike on their own. If you use the right equipment and techniques, kids can learn to ride a bike as young as 2 years old!
Signs Your Child is Ready to Learn to Ride a Bike
- Mental and Physical Development. Can your child respond to directions? Is your child able to pedal? If the answer is no, then it is a good idea to wait to teach them.
- Coordination. Riding a bike requires balance and coordination. As kids grow, they develop both of these skills and so determining if they are old enough to balance a bike while steering and pedaling is important.
- Interest. You might be super excited for you child to ride a bike, but are they? If they don’t show any interest, or are really nervous and scared about it, then it might be a bit too soon.
- Influence. Older siblings, friends and neighbors might already be riding bikes and that can have a big influence on when your child wants to learn to start riding.
Top Tips for Teaching Your Toddler to Ride a Bike
- Make sure the bike is an appropriate size for the child. Make sure they can stand over the top tube with both feet on the ground. If they can’t put their feet down, it’s too big. A slightly smaller bike is better for kids to learn on because it will be much easier for them to handle and control.
- Adjust training wheels so they are not touching the ground. To learn balance, children should have to lean a bit each way before the training wheels come into play.
- Once your child becomes better at balancing, keep moving training wheels up until they aren’t using them at all (even though they might still be attached to the bike)
- Push starts: If you are running with a child to help him learn to ride, hold lightly by his shoulders, rather than holding onto the bike.
- Push start on a very slight decline, like your driveway. This helps the child get a bit of momentum.
- Even when you are doing everything correctly, some kids are just stubborn! My niece would not learn how to ride for my sister, yet as soon as a babysitter came over and assumed she already knew how to do it, she took off! The power struggle had ended.
Balance Bike: New Method To Learning To Ride Bikes
Balance bikes have no pedals at all. Kids use their feet to push forward and learn balance and steering. It’s a great way to teach toddlers how to steer, learn balance, and learn control. It simplifies the process for younger kids because they don’t have to think about pedaling. Balance bikes are intended for kids ages 2-5.
Top Balance Bikes on Amazon:
Strider Bike: This brand is definitely top of the line. The seat and handlebars adjust so that it can grow with your child. This bike is designed for kids ages 18 months – 5 years and so it can last a long time!
Retrospec: This bike has a lower price point than Strider, but has amazing reviews. This bike also has adjustable handlebars and seat and is designed for kids ages 20 months – 5 years. It comes in lots of different colors and has a fun design.
Joystart: This bike has the lowest price point of the 3 bikes. It also gets great reviews. A cool thing about this bike is that it has a footrest and so kids can coast which helps them find their center of gravity. It also has adjustable handlebars and seat and is designed for kids ages 1-3.
Bike Safety
Teaching your child to be safe while riding a bike is just as important as teaching them to ride a bike. Your child should wear a bike helmet every time they ride. These are some tips for finding a helmet that fits:
- The helmet should sit level across the middle of their forehead. The helmet should be fairly secure. You shouldn’t be able to push it very much side to side or front to back.
- The side straps should form a ‘V’ and lay under each ear.
- The chin strap should be secure under your child’s chin so that the helmet doesn’t move back and forth very much at all.
- This is a great article for finding a helmet that fits.
Natalie Monson
I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.
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I’d love to win! My three year old is ready to learn. We removed the pedals on a regular
12 inch bike for the older two, but the bike is heavier.
My 3 year old would love this bike. And it looks like such a great way to teach him how to ride. Thanks for posting your teaching tips.
My son is turning 3 in October, this would be the perfect gift for him, as he loves to be outside on his trike & is FASCINATED when bigger kids zoom by on their bikes.
This looks great! My 18 month old is not quite ready but time flies and he will be riding a real bike before I know it!
I have never heard of anything like that before! We’d love to try it out.
I saw something similar in Canada and thought it was an awesome idea! I would love to win one for my two youngest boys (4 and 2). Also, thanks for all the tips! My 6 yr old is still learning to ride w/out training wheels.
I “liked” their page!
I’d love to win a new bike for my son! He is almost 6 and still can’t ride without training wheels (I think his bike is too big for him)! Using a balance bike would be a quick and easy way to teach him how to balance before trying to tame the difficult skill of riding! Genius!
I would love to win this bike. My 3 year old wants to learn to ride a bike like his brother so this would be great 🙂
My 2 year old would love this!
I “liked” their FB page.
Looking forward to teaching our little man to ride!
I’d love to win!!
sounds interesting. I’d love for my littlest one to try it!
my 3 year old wants to learn to ride a bike like her brothers!
My 3 year old still uses a tricycle! Time to move up!
I would love to win this bike! My son is 20 months and I’ve been told by another Mom that her son started using his balance bike just after his 2nd birthday. My son is tall and has been walking/running for a long time, so he might be able to use it even sooner than that. I love the idea of the balance bike!
I have been looking at this kind of bike for my twin boys. It would be so awesome to win!
I liked on facebook.
My 3 yr old loves to ride the tricycle they have at our church playground. I think she is ready to have one of her own 🙂
I have been wanting this bike for my 3yr old for 3 years now! 🙂
I “liked” their FB page!
I would love this for my son
I liked their fb
We really really could use this bike, I have a six year old that can’t ride, a four year old that never tried and a almost two year old….so we have plenty of need and want for an item like this!
My daughter will be 2 in December. What a perfect birthday present this would be!
I “liked” their facebook page!
I added a balance bike to my son’s Amazon “wish list” a few weeks ago. We first saw one at his friend’s house and he just loved it.
My little boy needs to learn to ride a bike.
My two-year-old almost got hit by a truck because he wanted to follow his older brothers and couldn’t steer well enough to stay in the driveway. I could use a bike like this!
My three year old is being so stubborn and won’t pedal. First, she keeps pushing back on the pedals to make them break and then she struggles pushing the pedals over the heighest part. this would be perfect.
I liked their FB page.
I’d LOVE to win this for my son who will be 3 next month. On the “gifts to get him” list is a bike with training wheels, but if we won this, it would be amazing and would probably be best to start learning on since we have a rock/gravel driveway and it’d be nearly impossible for him to learn to ride a bike on crazy street.
I “Liked” Trikke’s page on Facebook!!!
I desperately need one of these for my Toddler. He recently received a small bike with training wheels for his birthday and he just cannot figure out those pesky pedals!
I’ve seen this product before and would love one for my 2.5 year old!
I liked their FB page, they have some sweet stuff!
I love your blog and I have to say this giveaway is one of the greatest ever! My daughter would seriously benefit from a bike like this.
My child is 2.5 years and picking up other kids balance bikes at the park and around the neighborhood to try them out. We NEED to get him one soon before he steals one. We would love to win!
My almost three year old would love this balance bike!
We would LOVE one of these bikes. My 6yr old still uses training wheels!
I WANT this bike!!! How great would it be, to have for my little man?…..Wonderful:)
Hi Amy!
My two year old is so ready for a balance bike…what a great give-away.
Spencer would love this bike. He tries to do that concept with is tricycle but is always banging his shins against the pedals. At this point he has no interest in actually pedaling, so this bike would be awesome for him!!
I would love this bike. I have two girls – 3 and 1. We are just sharing a big wheel type tricycle right now.
I want one of these so bad! We are in the middle of teaching our 6 year old( I know late in the game) and our almost 4 year old…it is challenging.
Liked on Facebook!
I have never heard of a balance bike, and do believe it is a most genius idea. My daughter will be 2 in October, and I can’t wait until next year (spring/summer) when she will get to go riding with the rest of the family. This bike will help get her on her way.
I’ve seen these before and have been intrigued! I’d love to try one with my son! 🙂
I was just telling my husband about this type of bike! I would love it for my little guy!
My daughter turns 2 in October, is tall, and loves bikes. She would love to have one of her own.
i’d love one of theses for my 3 yr old
i liked their facebookpage
I want one! we used one for my older two sons, but gave it away as we thought we were done having kids. now that #3 is just about old enough, i’d love a new one. it worked miracles for my older boys! they never used training wheels at all!
I would love to win this for my four year old! And then we could pass it on to the two year old, and then the baby who is in utero… 🙂
My two-year-old is ready to get out on the streets with his older brother! We’d love to win the bike!
My two-year-old little boy would love this!
I like Trikke on facebook!
I want to win! Entry #!
Liked the page on FB! Entry #2
This would be awesome to win – my son would love it and could use it!! 🙂
i like trikke on fb. 🙂
Would love one of these for my 3 year old!!
I have never heard of this bike; it sounds awesome! We are currently trying to teach our 5 year old to go without his training wheels and his little sister is starting to learn as well.
I have been looking at these for my 3 year old! I’d love to win one!
My three year old just got a tricycle for his birthday. I don’t think he is ready for a two wheeled bike yet, he is just getting the hang of peddling. It would be cool to win though.
My son would LOVE this!
Love this bike! We have been wanting to get one for our 2.5 year old and hadn’t figured out which one yet!
Just liked their page!
Awesome bike! I have seen them around as we have gone to the park, and my tot always tries to run and get on them. It would be great if we could avoid that power struggle!
We would love this bike! Hope we win. Thanks!
Neighbors have one of these…LOVE the idea. My kids would go bananas for one!
This would be so fun for my almost three year old. She always see’s the big kids on their bikes and wants one of her own. This would be a great way to teach her how to balance for when she does get one!
I like them on fb!
I “like” their facebook page too!
This is excellent!! Pedalling is by far the hardest thing to learn, so this would probably help to break down the steps to learning. 🙂 Love it!
I would love to win this for my 3.5yr old daughter. She has been asking for a bike!
I like their Facebook page!
This would be awesome for my little guy!
Liked on fb!
What a brilliant idea! My 3 year old would LOVE this! Thanks!
What a great giveaway – I’m getting excited for my 19 mo old to start riding a bike!
This would be perfect for my 2 year old!
I’d love for my kids to learn to ride bikes.
I would love to win one of these for my little munchkins (currently almost 3 and 19 months). This would make teaching them to ride so much easier! Thanks for the chance!!!
What a fantastic product! My two toddlers totally need one!
We’re in the middle of teaching our kids how to ride bikes, and we would love one of these!
What a great giveaway! I would love to win a bike for my daughter.
I’d love it win a balance bike! My friend’s two-year-old has one and just learned how to ride a regular two-wheeler. They are awesome!
Liked Tikke Tech on facebook.
What a fun product! My daughter would love to learn to ride her bike without training wheels!
My son will be two in November and he would love this!
That would be perfect for my son! Count me in!!
And I liked them of FB
I just saw a neighbor boy riding one of these yesterday. I think it would be awesome for my 2 year old (actually the 2 and 5 year old would fight)! What a fun giveaway! Thanks!!!!
Oh my this would be perfect for my youngest. His birthday is in a few weeks and we want to get him a bike!
I don’t recall how I found your blog, but I love it! My niece just turned 3 and my son is 1. I can’t wait until they chase each other down the block on their bikes!
Can’t wait to teach my son how to ride a bike. Hopefully next spring, this would be perfect, he turns 2 in January.
I like Super Healthy Kids on Facebook too!
I would love to have this for my daughter!!
I like them on FB as well!!
I would love to win a balance bike for my son.
I like Trikke on Facebook.
oh this would be so nice. my little guy is way past due to start on a bigger bike and this would be the right thing for him!
I “liked ” their page
would be perfect for my 3 yr old son!!
My four year old and two year old would both love this bike. Neat idea!
Would love to give one of these bikes a try with my 2 and 4 y.o.- niether one is riding a bike yet… maybe this is just the thing!
I’m a firm believer in the balance bikes. My 4yo rode a friend’s and could ride a bike soon after.
OHHH! I have been wanting to buy one of these for my 3 year old. I would LLLOOOOVVEEE to win one for him, instead. Thanks for the opportunity.
This would be great for my little guy that is turning 3 this weekend!
Like their page!
I would LOVE a bike for my 3 1/2 yr old!
This would be great as a Christmas present for my 3 yr old!!
My son’s birthday is coming up and this is exactly what we want to get him!! Thank you for a great giveaway!
The balance bikes are great. My oldest first “biked” on a balance bike and when we got him a pedal bike when he was 4.5 y.o., he easily picked up how to do it – he was riding on his own in literally a few minutes (never used training wheels). My 3 y.o. is currently on the balance bike and it is getting pretty worn out, and I still have a baby who will need one…so we’d love to win one! 🙂
such a brilliant idea!
I would love to win one of these for my 3 year old daughter!! (How many times can we enter… just two?)
This is such a nice giveaway! My neighbour has a similar bike and my 2 year old son loves to push it. We were thinking of buying him one, but hopefully we win it :).
I like their page on facebook as well!!
I hope I win this bike for my son who is turning 2 next month.
I liked them on Facebook.
I have been seeing these bikes and would really like try one.
I like their facebook.
Wow, my daughter just received a bike for her birthday this will help so much
I want to win one! My little boy will be 2 in a few short months – this would be PERFECT!!!
What an awesome idea. Thanks!
Id love 2 win my son a bike we have been looking for 1 for him but we cant afford it right now.
I liked their page
This would be so perfect for my nephew!
I like the Trikke facebook page.
This is oh so perfect for my son who will be two in December. Bikes are his thing, whenever he sees one in a store his attention goes straight to that section in an instance.
those bikes are so cute – great idea!
I love these bikes!!!!
I’ve got three kids under five right now (the six year old loves to bike), so I think we could put one of these to good use.
My 3 1/2 yo daughter would love to learn to ride on this bike!
Would LOVE to get this bike for our 4 year old son. We’ve been researching and balance bikes seem to be the right choice…at least for us!
These are way too cute. I would like the pink one!
I love everything about this bike! Definitely on my wish-list for my son.
I’ve been seeing more and more of these around parks and I’d love to win one for my toddler!
This would helps us teach our son! I have been interested in these for a while! Pick me.
I would love to win one of these for my kids.
I also liked their facebook page.
Pick me. Pick me!
I would love this bike for my boys!
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I’ve been looking into buying one of these bikes- we would LOVE one.
I would absolutely love to win one for my toddler.
I would LOVE to win this! my son has been asking for a bike and this would be a great way to get him started!
I liked their facebook page!
Simply amazing bike, this would be great for my kiddos
I like them on facebook
That is a sweet way to learn! Would love this for my two year old, who is obsessed with bikes!
I would love one of these for my 3 year old daughter!
This would be perfect for my 4yr old who has been wanting to learn how to ride a bike!
I liked your FB a long time ago! Thanks for the fun posts!
Most kids are interested in learning how to ride a bike. It’s certainly a perfect way to get them to go outside and be involved with outside activities. As a mother myself, I am speechless by the sense of accomplishment and pride that I experienced the first time my kids rode a bike. I even bought them a balance bike for training and they totally loved it. Balance bikes are a modern bicycle trend to help educate babies and kids on bike riding on two wheels instead of using training wheels or a tricycle. You can check out Netparents for great balance bike reviews that might be interesting for you.
Thanks for adding this blog, it is really helpful! I highly appreciate that you share your knowledge and experience.
love this piece
full of tips
Thanks
I love this bike. I want to buy this bike for my 3 years son. I think my son will be happy to see his bike.
All my kids had first the balance bikes and they make wonders. Children get balance and loose fear. Then they learn to ride “the real bike” really fast.
We love balance bikes!
Thank you very much for this post. I am trying to teach my kid how to ride a bike. I bought him a balance bike a few days back. He seems to enjoy pushing it around. I like to watch him play with the bike. Hopefully, he will learn to ride a bike eventually. Thank you for this informative guide.
!!Wow very interesting. my little princess is slowly growing up. After three months she will be 3 years. I think I will gift her a bike for her upcoming birthday.
Thank you very much for this post. My 8 years old seems to like riding bikes very much. recently we bought him a bike with a balance wheel. But I think it’s time to remove the wheel. He is a little afraid but I think we can work through it.
Great tips, but I always tell kids to cover their head with a helmet and feet with shoes that cover the toes, stay on and have a non-slip sole. Several pics don’t have both of these important safety items, which doesn’t support safe habits.
My 6 year old daughter is a bit nervous once we remove stabilisers.
It was a hard job teaching her to pedal , then hubby built her a smart little wooden stand (raised the stabilisers off the ground as she pedalled). She used it like a stationery bike and easily learned to pedal.
Hope it’s as easy to alleviate her fear of removing the stabilisers too.
Great!
It sounds like a lot of parents are excited about teaching toddlers to ride bikes, especially using balance bikes! They’re such a great way for little ones to learn balance and coordination while having fun. Have you tried using a balance bike with your toddler, or is there a specific type of bike you’re considering for them?
Yes I have used balance bikes – they are so great!