How did you learn to ride a bike? I just recently learned this "no pedal method" of teaching someone to ride a bike and my daughter was so successful at it! She was riding her two wheeler within seconds after putting the pedals back on. I shared this on my facebook page and wanted to definitely share this with everyone on the blog too because it is so amazing!
The method is simple: Basically you remove the pedals off your child's bike and let them practice gliding on their bike like a scooter. Make sure to to lower the seat on the bike so that your child can touch the ground with their feet too. I let my daughter do this for about 3 days. She gained so much confidence mastering how to balance on her bike first. Then after the 3 days we put the pedals back on and within seconds she was riding!!! (Really) Here is a You Tube Video that explains this method:
Here is C riding with no training wheels and the pedals back on. The rest is history. No falling off the bike a million times and pushing behind her....amazing! I admit my daughter has fallen a few times as a new rider and we do practice stopping, but the actual balancing and pedaling came so easily to her with this method.
Interesting enough my Father told me that the first bicycles didn't even have pedals. So this method of learning to ride a bike makes perfect sense. The reason I share this on the blog is to show that there can always be a different way to do something that people may have been doing the same way for years. This illustrates creative thinking and that there are many solutions to reach a goal. Many people embrace this way and others just look at me like I have a third eye as if this method could never work! Here is a picture I found of the first bicycle (no pedals): source
The method is simple: Basically you remove the pedals off your child's bike and let them practice gliding on their bike like a scooter. Make sure to to lower the seat on the bike so that your child can touch the ground with their feet too. I let my daughter do this for about 3 days. She gained so much confidence mastering how to balance on her bike first. Then after the 3 days we put the pedals back on and within seconds she was riding!!! (Really) Here is a You Tube Video that explains this method:
Here is C riding with no training wheels and the pedals back on. The rest is history. No falling off the bike a million times and pushing behind her....amazing! I admit my daughter has fallen a few times as a new rider and we do practice stopping, but the actual balancing and pedaling came so easily to her with this method.
Interesting enough my Father told me that the first bicycles didn't even have pedals. So this method of learning to ride a bike makes perfect sense. The reason I share this on the blog is to show that there can always be a different way to do something that people may have been doing the same way for years. This illustrates creative thinking and that there are many solutions to reach a goal. Many people embrace this way and others just look at me like I have a third eye as if this method could never work! Here is a picture I found of the first bicycle (no pedals): source
Have you ever heard of this method of learning to ride a bike?
What other things have you (or your children) learned by doing it a different way?
A detailed article from Better Homes and Gardens about this same topic: How to Learn to Ride a Bike in 15 Minutes.
that's the way both of my children learned to ride a bike, so simple and easy and best of all, NO TEARS! I love the new strider balance bikes for toddlers that completely eliminate the need for training wheels. It's a GREAT way to learn how to ride a bike!
ReplyDeleteIt is all amazing, agree. Thanks for sharing. Why did this not exist when I was little? But then, I remember never having training wheels and helping the neighbor kids learn how to ride.
DeleteI bought my daughter a run bike last year. She is now 3 and can fully ride. I haven't tried her on a bike with pedals yet, she gets around so well with out.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have heard of these running bikes, but th eno pedal bike is very similar. I'm sure your daughter will be able to ride right away.
DeleteMy son is currently using a balance bike. He is 3 and I am convinced that by the time he is 4 he will be riding a standard two wheeler bike with no training wheels!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you! I'm sure even now he probably could too. Try it.
DeleteWe have two Strider bikes for our 3 and 5 year-old sons. They are awesome! The youngest has been riding since he was 18 months old. It's incredible how they can zip around on those things! We're going to switch the oldest to a pedal bike this spring... we haven't been in a hurry to, because he has such a good time on the Strider and they're so lightweight (5lbs!) and easy to toss in the back of the car. :o)
ReplyDeleteThese strider bikes really do seem wonderful. What a great way to learn how to ride a bike. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWe also have a strider bike (http://www.stridersports.ca/) for our son. He has been riding it since he got it at Christmas (obviously indoors as we live in the cold North, eh!) He got the hang of it in 15s and he was 18 mths old. He's now riding outside with no fear and is also trying out a 3 wheeled scooter he got for Easter. (Lets hope he doesn't take after my old nick name of Ash-Crash :) )
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend picking up a scooter for any kids 1st or 2nd bday! They will love it and have tons of time to grow into it.
Thanks for sharing the link Ashley. Amazing stories of kids riding bikes. Do they make ones for adults?
DeleteWe got our girls both a balance bike for Christmas and so far they are learning to use them really well. My friends' kids who've used them before transitioning to a real bike have all learnt within a few months. Hoping the same for ours! Congrats to Cassie!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anna. I'm sure Cakie will already be able to ride a regular bike if you gave her the chance. So glad there is an easier way to learn how to ride a bike and balance first.
Deletewow! my godson is 6, and still has training wheels! i am definitely going to try this!
ReplyDeleteYes, your grandson should be ready and will catch on very fast. It is so empowering to be able to ride a two wheeler and free! He will be so happy.
Deleteit is the norm in Germany to first have a running/balance bike (usually 2-3 years old) and then switch to a pedal bike (4-6 years old) with no training wheels. So different from how I grew up! All my kids switched very easily (within an hour) from balance bike to pedal bike.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how balance bikes are the norm in Germany. It seems the US is just catching on. Isn't it amazing how quickly they can learning after mastering balancing first?
DeleteWe missed the balance bike age, and now daughter finally gets interested in learning to ride without training wheels. I think I am going to try this method. My back just can't even think about running behind her all bent :)
ReplyDeleteYour daughter will catch on so fast and it is such less effort on the parent to do it this way. Let me know how it goes.
DeleteI need to remember this method for when it is time to teach my girls! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes, I wish I would have been told about this method earlier, but better late than never.
DeleteMelissa, this is a brilliant idea! Lil Miss is 6 and I have been dreading teaching her to ride a bike this summer. She's very cautious and if one thing goes wrong, she'll never try it again. This sounds like a really great way to increase confidence! We'll give it a try!
ReplyDeleteThank you again!
Chrissy this will be your lifesaver! She will first master balancing at her own pace and then she will be riding before you know it. I never would have thought C would have been riding so early on before summer. So glad I discovered this method on You Tube. Everything is on You Tube! I did this posting because I want everyone to know about this method so that they can teach their children this way. Please share.
DeleteI JUST got my dad to put my 5 year olds bike together...now I have to ask him to take the pedals off?? He is gonna think I'm crazy!! LOL But I think this seems like a great method...may take the pedals off an older kids bike we have and let that one be the "trainer" bike. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to get my 5 year old riding!! And if it works, then my 2 year old won't need the tricycle he got for Christmas. :( LOL