Your child may be nagging you about getting a new bike and learning how to ride. When do kids learn to ride a step through bicycle for the first time in their young lives? Many parents find themselves in a dilemma when estimating the readiness to learn to ride a bike. Other parents grapple with the fear of their child getting injured as they learn to ride for the first time.
In the initial stages, parents should go for balance bikes so that children can learn balance. These bikes are appropriate for younger kids and can be used comfortably within a homestead or in the driveway. The greatest challenge is the introduction of pedal bikes for children who feel have outgrown a balance bike and for older kids.
How can you know it’s time to teach your kid to ride a bike? Settling for the perfect age when to start them on a pedal bike can be a challenge since children have different rates of growth. There is no set age for teaching bike riding. Learn more about how to identify the right time to teach a child how to ride a bike.
Physical Ability and Readiness
Be sure beyond doubt that your child can manage a bike in terms of their physical development. You should assess a number of factors such as mental ability that include cognition and balance; and physical ability such as height and core strength. The mental ability helps the child understand lessons as well as traffic rules. The child should know how to cross the street and to stay on the sidewalk before they are allowed to ride a bike.
Overall, learning how to ride a bike has the benefits of exercise such as muscle growth, development of their motor skills, and improve coordination.
Child and Parental Influences
Most of the things people do in life can trace some influence from people or things. You will have factors that influence your choices and decisions including how to teach an older child to ride a bike. Some of these influences are as mundane as neighborhood children riding bikes in the local parks.
Keep in mind that your child cannot be pushed and will most likely ride a bike when they feel ready and comfortable. The average age to learn to ride a bike is not clearly set but forcing it too early might have the opposite effect. Studies have shown that children who started off at a very early age had a higher number of cycling-related injuries. The injuries were less frequent in older children between six and seven years of age.
Equally, some negative influences will prevent parents from buying their child a bike and teaching them how to ride. Bad experiences such as having had a cycling accident or witnessing another child take a bad fall off their bike may make parents postpone teaching how to ride until the child is older or completely prevent their children from riding a bike.
Age of the Child
Learning how to ride a two-wheel bike is closely linked to the age of a child. Riding a bike requires balance and coordination which only come with specific growth milestones.
Research has indicated that at age 5, children have developed balance and can ride a two-wheel bike. They are also influenced by seeing their friends and other children ride their bikes in the neighborhood. However, children at this age are at high risk of injuring themselves since they don’t understand the dangers associated with riding a bike. Adequate assistance and supervision are required from an adult for children in this age bracket.
Additionally, children between ages six and twelve have good balance and coordination. This age bracket represents the average age to learn to ride a bike for children. The children have sufficient physical strength in their hands and legs to ride and control the bike. Under the guidance of their parents, they have learned how to avoid danger. Older children between ages 9 and 12 will have gained sufficient riding experience to control multi-gear and multi-speed bikes. However, these older kids are highly likely to try out dangerous speeds, risky maneuvers and stunts, and joining traffic.
Availability of Safe Riding Spaces
The training sessions can only begin in earnest if you find open, quiet, and safe spaces for your child. Safety is a big consideration for both parent and child. Identified space must be free of traffic and have adequate space. Small paths in a park or forested area can be scary since the child can swerve and crash into trees and obstacles such as playground equipment. It is better to avoid hard surfaces such as concrete that may inflict nasty injuries upon a fall. Scout out an area that provides the best opportunity for your child to learn how to ride a bike safely and as quickly as possible. Availability of the safe riding space may become a determinant of timings of when do kids learn to ride a bike.
Expression of Interest by the Child
Children are individually unique and will have different life choices. Some kids will express interest in bike riding, others in skateboarding, and another group may go for scooters.
It is time to get your child a new bike if they express interest and are of acceptable age for a pedal bike. Your responsibility as a parent is to teach how to ride a bike and perhaps more important instill the required discipline to ensure the safety of your kid whenever they are riding. Always insist on strict adherence to traffic rules and proper use of safety gear such as helmets. Helmets should be worn properly before jumping onto a bike.
Teaching your child to ride a bike will serve them well in the future since the bike can act like a toy, a developmental tool, and as a means of transport to get them around the neighborhood. Our hope is that the article has helped you learn more about how to teach your kid to ride a bike safely and in a fairly quick way.