Teaching a Child to Ride a Bike

[Damian]

How old were your kids when you taught them to ride without stabilisers and what method did you use

Mine is 5.5 and have done a couple of hours trying now but it seems to be to no avail. Have tried the running alongside method (which may eventually kill me)

Have seen a few internet sites that recommend removing the pedals and "walking" the bike then lifting the feet to help practice balance, then another site basically saying fling them down a slope.

Cheers

[DaveD]

Tried alsorts myself as my lad is 6 now and won't touch his bike without stabilisers more or less all his friends can ride without though. Sorry I'm no help but at least your not alone in this matter lol

[rockh]

I found that it just "happens".
Used the run along side and let go when they are doing well method, plenty of encouragement and the look on their face when they notice you are running alongside without holding them is priceless .

My eldest (now 9) took a couple of months of various attempts without stabilisers, she was about 4 1/2. It was actually her grandfather who managed to get her to do it when the boss and I were away for the weekend. Now onto her 3rd bike (24" mountain bike) which she got for her birthday on Monday.
The youngest (4 1/2) has been off stabilsers for about a month. Tried a few months ago and it was no chance, then took her out on a nice straight path with plenty of grass either side so she could fall off and it took 10 mins once she had finished the tantrum of I'm not doing it etc. Still not too good with the brakes....But rides for miles on her little 14" bike.
She's now eyeing up her sisters old 20" mountain bike which is hanging from the garage roof.

[steveked]

i got my lad riding when he was 4.5 years old , i took him to a big grassed area and after a few falls , tantrums and kicks to the wheels etc (which onlookers found hilarious) he had it within an hour , i was very proud.It took him a while longer to set himself off without a push though and to stop with the brakes and not his feet .

[kenp]

my kid is 6 and a bit... he wont drive his bike... due to my removing his stabeliseres... so now im teaching his younger sister to learn without.. because then i know he will (she is nearly 5)

[Super T]

On a wooden bike with no peddles just scooting about for two weeks then give them the push bike and their off!! Thats how my girls were taught at the local sports centre.And it works.