How to teach a child to ride a bike

Toddlers like tricycles. They are fast, comfortable and equipped with a loud beep that scares pigeons and passers-by. But the child grows up and changes the children's bike to an adult, who has only two wheels. How to help the young owner to master the new transport? First, the baby is taught to balance and steer the wheel. Show how to pedal and brake properly. And then let you experiment and have fun.

Outfit and comfortable steering wheel

Learning begins with buying the right bike that matches the age and height of the child. Parents go to the store with the baby and "try on" the vehicle they like:

1. Supporting the mini bike, seat the young driver in the seat.
2. A good bike has a handlebar at the level of the baby’s chest.
3. The child’s leg resting on the lower pedal is straight, but he does not have to stand on his toe to get it.
4. The seat is comfortable, does not interfere and does not crush.

A bicycle purchased “outgrowth” will stand in a garage or hallway, dusting. It is difficult for a child to control a massive iron bike, which is heavier and two to three times taller than it.

Recommended starting with bikes with rear brake. It’s easier for a child to turn the pedals in the opposite direction to stop, than to constantly keep his finger on the button located on the steering wheel and try not to accidentally press it.

For children under 4-6 years old, tricycle bikes or options with additional small supports are more suitable. Students buy an ordinary bike without a frame, so that it is easier to throw their legs.

Together with the vehicle they get knee pads with elbow pieces, a strong helmet and comfortable closed shoes. Falls are inevitable, but the more reliable the baby is protected, the less injuries he will receive.

Before training, the child puts on trousers and a sweater with long sleeves. It is better to choose old things that are not a pity to tear and throw away. No sandals, slap or uncomfortable shoes. Ideal shoes - sneakers with a thick sole. They do not rub and protect your toes from abrasions.

Emotional mood

It’s scary for the child to drive a two-wheeled vehicle, because the bike constantly brings it to the left, then to the right, and the baby can fall. You cannot force a daughter or son. Learning from a stick discourages desire and rarely gives positive results.

The young driver is introduced to the new transport. They go out with him for a walk and offer to ride next to him or ride a bike, like on a scooter. The kid can put one foot on the pedal, and the second push off from the asphalt. The child will have fun and relax, get used to the two-wheeled bike and stop being afraid of it.

Then the parent offers to climb on the seat, putting both feet on the pedals. Holding the bike by the steering wheel and trunk, he slowly tilts it in different directions. Let the baby try to level the bike or put his foot on the ground so as not to fall. The main thing is not to swing it much so as not to miss it.

A bicycle is turned into a fun ride, and training is a game. If one of the parents knows how to ride, he is recommended to ride on a children's transport and make a small circle to show that there is nothing to worry about.

You need to train in places where there are few people and pets. A kid who has moved a cat or a bird will abandon the bicycle for a long time, if not forever. The road should be smooth, without holes and sharp slopes, because a small depression or pebble is enough for a young cyclist to lose his balance.

Parents are advised to bring along a mini medicine cabinet with cotton wool, adhesive and antiseptic to handle scratches and wounds. During training, it is important to stay calm and not yell at the child, because he is only learning. You can’t show the excitement, because the baby because of mom’s or father’s fears and constant prompts and jerking becomes uncertain and absent-minded.

Stage 1: Short distances and braking

Children who have mastered a tricycle at an early age find it easier to train. They know how to pedal and turn, they get tired more slowly. A child who first learned about the existence of two-wheeled transport will have to learn from scratch. At first he gets used to the steering wheel, so for a while the bike is turned into a scooter. How?

Pedals are removed from the bike, because they only interfere and distract the attention of the young driver. The seat is lowered so that the baby gets his feet to the ground or the curb. Sitting on an impromptu scooter, the child learns to maintain balance.

It should push off from the asphalt and tighten the lower limbs, trying to balance and tightly compress the steering wheel. If the vehicle suddenly begins to fall to the side, the baby stops and quickly rests its feet on the ground.

Important: Some children prefer to jump off a bent bike. Before training, the baby is explained that it is necessary to maintain balance and not let go of the steering wheel, otherwise he will not be able to overcome fear.

A child who has learned to overcome short distances is shown how to slow down. They return the pedals to the place and offer to push off the ground, and at the signal to stop the bike without touching the asphalt feet.

If it is difficult for a child to concentrate on two tasks at the same time, dad comes to the rescue:

1. The parent grabs the seat with one or both hands and pushes the vehicle along with the young driver.
2. The kid puts his feet on the pedals, but does not twist them. It only controls the steering wheel and balances so that the iron horse does not fall.
3. Dad should move fast, preferably run. Having overcome 50-100 meters, an adult gives a “Stop” signal, removing his palm.
4. The kid turns the pedals and brakes smoothly, and when the bike stops completely, he lowers his feet on the asphalt.

Dad or mom runs next to the vehicle in order to catch a child if he loses his balance. Children, whom no one insures, more often panic and crash into something or fall.

Stage 2: Equilibrium

A young cyclist who knows how to slow down is taught to push off and gain speed, as well as to timely jump on the seat and maintain balance. At first, the child does not succeed. Transport falls, it is worth the baby to throw his leg or unsuccessfully turn the steering wheel, so an adult should be next to him.

Running after a bicycle, bent in half, is not very convenient. High probability of stretching your back or dislocating your leg. Modern parents use a push handle to hold the bike.

Thrifty and quick-witted adults prefer the usual rope. Wrap sports equipment around the saddle, and when the vehicle begins to fall, pull the leash and return it to a vertical position.

Important: You can not grab the shoulders or the steering wheel, preventing the child from managing the bicycle, otherwise he will never learn to maintain balance.

Children before training are told that you can not tilt the body to the sides. Hands need to rest on the steering wheel so that the bike, which is riding a stone, suddenly does not climb onto the rear wheel and does not drop the passenger. The cyclist must learn these rules, and then proceed to practical exercises:

1. The kid independently accelerates and jumps onto his bike, begins to pedal.
2. Dad or mom runs nearby, but when the child picks up speed and concentrates fully on the road, he releases the trunk and allows the young driver to ride without assistance.
3. If the cyclist begins to panic, they calm him down, and then they propose to slow down.
4. Parents should praise the baby, because he drove two-wheeled vehicles without assistance. This will encourage the child and increase his self-esteem.

When the young driver learns to overcome long distances without falling, he is shown how to turn correctly. It is advisable to train on a wide road or near a flower bed, around which circles can be cut.

Stage 3: Security

For the first 2-3 months, children ride a bicycle only under the supervision of their parents. If mom or dad decides that the baby is old enough, then they conduct a preventive conversation with him, telling the rules of the road for owners of two-wheeled bikes:

1. It is forbidden to drive onto a road intended for cars. Only long-time cyclists can brake or curb on time, avoiding an accident.
2. Cross the road along a zebra, roll an iron horse nearby.

They explain to the children that it is impossible to check puddles and to move down from too high slides if you are not confident in your own abilities. Driving a bike at high speed is difficult, you can lose balance and fall, injuring your arm or neck.

A kid who has conquered an iron horse is given a test. They offer to ride along the crowded paths in the park, carefully circling the walking visitors. If the child coped with the task, you need to check how fast his reaction is.

Dad hides behind a tree, and when a cyclist rides nearby, he suddenly jumps out and blocks the path. The kid must brake or curl in time, while maintaining balance and not fall. The main thing is that in an emergency the adult has time to grab the bike and return it to a vertical position. A child who has successfully passed all the exams can be let go with friends and not worry, because he has become a real professional.

Riding a two-wheeled bike is fun and useful. Children quickly master the bike, but if the baby does not succeed, it is recommended to wait. You can’t put pressure on the baby; it’s better to introduce him to a scooter or a ranbike. After such vehicles, it will be easier for the child to maintain balance and not fall.

Video: how to teach your child to ride a bike