. . .OK, it’s not exactly balmy cycling weather about now, but you may be thinking of The New Bike for your child for your approaching Happy Holy Days!
Here are my recommendations:
1.) To save some money on the purchase
2.) To make learning to ride easier for both you & your child
3.) To have more fun once the nicer weather rolls around
- Buy from your local bike shop for proper fitting & better follow-up services “down the road”.
- Skip the alleged “training wheels”, even if someone recommends them.
- 1st nice day with green grass, go to a nearby, grassy, gentle slope (or even a cold, clear day, bundled up for warmth + the inevitable “fall protection” padding!).
- Have The Kid straddle the bike with his/her hands on the handlebars, but feet NOT on pedals, just dangling for assurance of stability.
- Let them coast straight down the hill – don’t try & pedal or steer, just find The Balance.
- Next glide down the hill, but try to steer bike left & right in a gentle curve.
- Once that’s mastered, try pedaling while descending slope & then even when they get to the bottom of the slope!
- A few tries, a few tumbles, they’ll be pedaling off on their own!
GUARANTEED!