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by Julie Hauser | July 06, 2022 | 17 comment(s)

How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike

Maybe this post will give away some trade secrets of my bike coaching business, but if it can encourage happy and confident riders, I am ready to share! 

There are no don’ts when it comes to riding a bike, just do’s:

Know that the child wants it. I always try to start my coaching sessions with a prayer, asking the child to take a turn to say a tefillah first in his/her own words, and then I add to it. This moment defines whether or not the child really wants to learn (even if there is fear). I don’t work with a child if only his parent wants him to learn.

Do start wearing a helmet right away, and ride in a wide, open space without traffic or distractions, like a dead-end or cul-de-saq (no straight narrow paths or sidewalks). 

Do take off the training wheels. (You can even take off the pedals for a few hours or days, while you have the wrench in hand!) The only purpose I can think of for training wheels is to teach good, relaxed seated posture (not leaning forward, and holding on with “loose arms,” not a tight grip). You can teach this with feet flat on the ground, on a bike that is slightly too short, and stationary! Don’t buy training wheels, and if you did, remove them!

Do use a bike that is a little too small (even if it’s smaller than the one you just removed the training wheels from. Soon your child will ‘graduate’ to that more size-suitable bike.) Using a too-short bike will help give a sense of control when learning to balance, and will help when stopping with feet, as explained below.

Do teach stopping before going. Some kids (and people) are simply scared of the whole bike idea. They’re scared of going, scared of even being on the bike. It is wobbly and unnatural and really is scary! That is why we start with a too-short bike. Learning to stop first often reduces anxiety. 

Teach the ‘lean-over’: Stand in front of the bike, face the child, and clamp the front tire between your feet. Then with his/her feet on the pedals and his/her hands on handlebars, hold and roll the bike a few inches forward and backward between your own legs. Comment on how much balance you can feel he or she has! Now, still standing facing the child, in front of the bike, hold on to the middle of the handlebars and then (with child’s feet on pedals and hands on handlebars) just barely let go for a split second. As the bike tips to the side, the child will reflexively put out a foot to the ground to lean into. Show them how they just stopped themselves and will be using that muscle above the knee to hold their body weight when they stop! 

Do teach gliding before trying to pedal. While seated on the bike, with feet ignoring the pedals, ask your child to push off the ground with two feet at the same time (like a big jump, as in a stomp rocket getting off the ground). Push off the ground twice in a row, and then lift feet to glide. Just for a second or two at a time. They will stop whenever they feel like stopping again using their feet (no Crocs or Floafers)! Do this push-push-and-glide sequence a bunch of times, or even for a week, while they get the feeling of gliding in a controlled way. Soon, they will want to pedal.

Do remind them to look ahead. Keep eyes on the road (and keep repeating that when they are gliding and learning)- but not DOWN at their feet. Looking down will make them lose their balance (the body’s center of balance will be compromised), much the same way as lifting one’s head when swimming will make them sink. 

Next challenge them to either glide for longer, or do it more quickly, or try the push-push-glide sequence with one foot pushing off the ground, and the other foot resting on the pedal (not pedaling), and then switch.

When he or she gets to this point, he or she will likely ask to start pedaling. Some will ‘catch’ their second foot after the push-push-glide sequence, and be off for a few seconds at a time until independence. Others need more support but holding onto the bike or holding on to the child will  compromise their balance and independence. What I like to do is make a harness out of a shirt tied under their arms, with sleeves to the back. Holding it closer when more support is needed, further when less support is needed. This way you still need to run, but without bending over, and they really control the bike and learn more efficiently! Often the hardest part is to start off- you can leave that for later, it’s ok if they always need a ‘push’ at first.

Do teach safety. Once balance is established and they ride on their own, you will need to teach safety rules like not crossing just because your friend ahead of you crossed, always look for yourself! Look out for traffic in and out of driveways, make eye contact with drivers stopping, etc. And you will have to practice taking corners and using brakes. 

No, I do not teach drivers’ education!

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Filed Under: Children & Teens Tagged With: children, outdoor, sports

Julie Hauser

Julie is an occupational therapist, photographer, and author of several books including her newest, titled Making It Mine. You may recognize her name as the author of Pesach While You Sleep, or one of her other titles available here. Julie lives with her husband and children (who wonder which occupation is her ‘real job’) in Detroit, Michigan.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SP says

    July 6, 2022 at 12:27 pm

    I have found balance bikes to work wonders. My son just learned how to ride a “pedal” bike at age 3 (other kids were not until 6 or 7 at least) after riding on a balance bike for several weeks first. He learned within 30-60 minutes.

    Reply
    • Chaya-Bracha Rubin says

      July 31, 2022 at 11:58 pm

      Yes I was just going to recommend this!! Not a lot of people outside of the cycling community are familiar with balance bikes but they are starting to become more mainstream.

      Reply
  2. Julie says

    July 6, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    Great! Yes. Once the child can get the glide it can often take less than an hour! Usually my clients only need one one-hour session, even if they have never tried a balance bike or the gliding previously! 🙂
    Let’s vote out those clunky training wheels!

    Reply
  3. BR says

    July 6, 2022 at 12:57 pm

    Know anyone in Lakewood that can teach my 9 yr old daughter how to ride a bike?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 6, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      BR- ask between carpools how to contact me; I have an idea

      Reply
      • Julie says

        July 6, 2022 at 1:25 pm

        actually here-
        email me at: makingitminebymiriamjulie@gmail.com
        perhaps I can help during an upcoming visit iyH

        Reply
  4. Tziporah Stein says

    July 6, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    Bike Trainer Handle that attaches to bike so parent can help with stabilizing bike

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    July 6, 2022 at 1:04 pm

    I have tried those handles and it really is nicer than leaning over, but the trick I mentioned with a shirt tied under the arms does the best and that way the child really does the balancing, since you are not holding or pushing the bike. You offer the support they need, but they can learn to use their core to get the balance. It really works!

    Reply
  6. Tziporah Stein says

    July 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    For children with special needs, there is a national program “I can shine” they go around the country teaching children with special needs to ride a bike. They got my 10 year old downs syndrome son riding!

    Reply
    • JH says

      July 6, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      Awesome!
      P.S. The pics in this post show very very young children, but I have taught kids taller than myself! These tips are meant for any age and ability…!

      Reply
  7. Julie Hauser says

    August 26, 2022 at 6:12 pm

    MAZEL TOV TO BS WHO IS THE NEWEST RIDER THIS WEEK!!!!!! YOUR HARD WORK REALLY PAID OFF! Remember to look ahead, and always ask Hashem for help- ‘With Hashem’s help, I can!” Thanks to Between Carpools for the opportunity to connect!

    Reply
    • BR says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:35 am

      Thanks so much Julie!! You are amazing!!! You have loads of patience and a real gift connecting with children! She is thrilled!! We are forever grateful!!!

      Reply
      • Julie says

        August 29, 2022 at 10:42 am

        You know it was and is my pleasure!!!!

        Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    February 15, 2023 at 10:47 am

    I’m in Brooklyn. Would you come down to train my son?

    Reply
  9. Julie says

    June 12, 2023 at 8:20 pm

    You may be in touch with me at
    makingitminebymiriamjulie @ gmail.com

    Reply
  10. julie says

    July 2, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    Shout out to the newest riders this week B’H:
    Avi, Leah, Levi, and Dovid, and Esti you’re just about there!!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie H says

      July 12, 2023 at 11:16 am

      And mazel tov to this week’s star new riders:
      Aharon, AY, Esti, Akiva, Daniel, Yitzi!!

      Reply

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