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Teaching a kid to ride a bike
Published October 18, 2009
Why are some kids reluctant to learn to ride a bike? Maybe it’s because they aren’t stupid. Falling onto concrete hurts. So how does one get them to learn? Answer: Make it fun, not painful. Specifically, let them have fun coasting down GENTLE grades. Why not pedal? Kids already know how to pedal with tricycles, etc. What they lack is the ability and/or confidence to balance a bike. They will learn the necessary balance as they coast and will soon find it easier to pedal than to push the bike with their feet.
STEP ONE is to have the right bike to learn on. Bigger-wheeled bikes are easier to balance once they get going. BUT, the bike has to be small enough for the kid’s heels to be just on or just above the ground when they are sitting on a seat that is set as low as possible. The kid’s toes should easily reach the ground, because there should be no training wheels involved to interfere with learning to balance the bike. Heel and toe clearance should be checked with the kid wearing tennis shoes. Hurt bare toes defeat the purpose of having a learning experience with more fun than pain.
The bike should have hand brakes because the kid will not be using the pedals until the last stage. The bike should be in good shape mechanically: well pressured tires, easily worked brakes, bike alignment and chain proper and snug, oiled, etc, etc.
STEP TWO is the kid practicing sitting on the bike and keeping it upright with their tennis shoes touching the ground.
STEP THREE is making sure the kid can use the hand brakes. Have the kid practice pushing the bike a few feet with their feet and then stopping the bike with the hand brakes. Do this enough times that it becomes natural for the kid.
A “gentle” grade driveway is often readily available and a great place to learn to coast (balance). But driveways end in streets which is why the street must be clear of traffic. Why not learn on the sidewalk? Not enough wobble room and usually too flat in the Houston area.
STEP FOUR is to teach and EMPHASIZE that the kid is NOT to go down the driveway until AFTER the instructor is in the street and saying the street is CLEAR of traffic.
STEP FIVE, the coasting, starts with just a few feet of coasting at a time and down a “gentle” grade. The coasting will be done with the kid’s feet away from the pedals and just off the pavement. This lets the kid keep the bike upright and keeps the kid from falling onto the concrete. The kid controls how far they coast by braking/stopping when the kid wants to. As their confidence builds, they will coast further and further because it’s fun, just like it’s fun to use longer and faster sliding boards. They are learning to balance a bike while they are having fun coasting.
At one point they will coast far enough to get out into the street. After getting into the street a few times, encourage them to turn and keep coasting down the level street for a longer and more fun coast. After awhile, encourage them to give a Fred Flintstone feet push to keep the bike coasting even further on down the street.
The coasting step will take a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the kid. Some just need a little confidence that they can do it. Others need a lot of practice (and maybe more age) to develop the needed balance and coordination. Some kids do better with many short sessions. Others have longer attention spans. Just go with the flow and keep it fun. Yes, you may be spending time helping them get back up the driveway multiple times to coast down again. Call it quality time.
At some point the kid will find it easier to pedal (STEP SIX) down the street than to push. A gentle hint at the end of a long coast to “try the pedals” may fit, but more often the kid will figure it out for themselves.
The trick is to keep it fun versus badgering them to go beyond where they are comfortable or to go where they are not having fun anymore. When the kid starts to pedal, they discover they are riding a bike and can keep on going up and down the street. They will be big-time proud of themselves as you will also be proud of them.
Good luck and here’s hoping y’all have as much fun with this as did this grandfather and his grandchildren.
Rex Maugans is a resident of Lake Jackson.
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