Teaching kids to ride: losing the training wheels

As a dad and bike enthusiast, my kids were highly motivated (mostly by me) to move to the next level of bicycling, graduating early from training wheels (5 and not quite 4). There are a few sources that suggest one or another method, but I have now successfully shed training wheels from 4 or 5 kids’ (fortunately not all mine) bikes with a minimum of fear and skinned knees. I hear the question from time to time, and Santa is on his way pretty soon, so I thought more might be interested in this little how-to on going from training wheels to two wheels.

Step one, wobble your training wheels:
Once your child gets some comfort riding with training wheels, move them up so there is a little wobble back and forth, then maybe a little more. Wait another few days and then you will be ready for the no training wheels try.

Next, push and glide:
First, take the training wheels and pedals off your child’s bike. Lower the seat so they can comfortably put their feet on the ground while sitting on the seat. Give them a few minutes to push the bike around with their feet. Tell them to pick up speed and then pick up their feet and glide. Once they can push and glide for 5 seconds or so, you’re ready to put the pedals back.

Third, add pedals:
Reinstall the pedals and with the seat still low, hold the back of their seat and give them a solid, single push (no need to run) and make sure they know to start pedaling. With the low seat, they will be ready to put a foot down if needed. Now they are on two wheels!

The final step: self starting. Once your child has made a few passes with a quick push from you, they may be ready to try to start on their own. It’s second nature to you, but no so for them. Tell them to put one “power pedal up” in the 1-2 o’clock position, kick with the other foot and start pedaling, or for an easy way for them to remember: “Power pedal up, one kick and go!”

Some final notes. Some advise the push bike (a bike without cranks, pedals, etc) a marketer’s invention to speed the transition from tricycle to bicycle. I agree with the late great Sheldon Brown (whose more detailed article on this subject is available at the Harris Cyclery website here) that the push bike (like-a-bike, others) is a dead end in that once kids know how to glide, they are ready for pedals again, so you might as well just take the pedals off a fully functional bike so you will be ready for that time.

Also, you are probably aware that kids under 16 are required by Georgia law to wear helmets. Please be sure your kids put a lid on. Happy cycling!