There is no better way to bond with your little one than teaching them to ride a bike. It is a lesson that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. And, above all else, it will prepare them for their adult life where they might find themselves cycling for pleasure or even as a means to commute to and from work.
So how do you go about successfully teaching your child to ride a bike? Well, this guide is going to give you some top tips and hopefully help you become a master teacher.
Make Cycling Appealing
If your child doesn’t see cycling as something fun, they will not want to learn. And children can be stubborn. So consider taking them out and about with your bike to show them, not only how much fun you have cycling, but also the places they can go on a bike.
You might want to invest in a trailer to transport them around it. We recommend you try to find a buying guide for kids bike trailers to make sure you get one that is sturdy and safe.
Get Them a Bike
This is the key to getting them excited. Children love new things and gifts. So make it a special occasion. Surprise them with their first bike and make a big deal out of it. The more important they feel it is, the more they will want to learn to ride. Make sure the bike has stabilizers that are attached but can also be removed.
Also, make sure they have a helmet, knee and elbow pads as well. The safer they feel the more fun they will have.
Support Them
The first step is to explain to them how to cycle, without putting them on the bike. Then, let them get on the bike and have a feel for it. Support them while this happens. Now take them for a little ride while you are holding them up for support the whole time.
We recommend letting this happen a few times. After the fourth or fifth ride, you can consider letting go in small intervals. Eventually, they will naturally take to it and be able to ride without your support.
It is important you still go out with them when they cycle. Just for a couple more sessions. The support you provide by just being there will be invaluable to their personal growth.
