How to teach a child to ride a bike?

[jill]

without training wheels. The problem is all these years she could care less about her bike no interest what so ever and may be the sensory thing why. Now she is 8 and wants to learn and regular training wheels do not hold up for she is too big. I priced training wheels for big people sturdier ones and was told they do not exist then I found a website and the cost was over $300. I went to several different bike shops unless I order a big tricycle(which she would look silly) and told it does not exist, what to do?

She is riding a scooter and loves it and has the balance down pat and steering get her on a bike when her feet can touch the ground and we have to coach her to pedal and help her steer. I keep going out there with her and holding the back while she pedals and help her steer I was able to let go once for a few seconds but tire easily. The positive is she is interested only I am inept at teaching help ideas?

[bugsmom]

Jill...we taught Josh how to ride on the grass first. We did this because it was slower and if he fell, it would be softer. I don't know if this will work for Annette, but it worked like a charm for us. Once he got his balance and the feel of the bike we let him on the sidewalk. Mind you, he was four and very determined. He took off his training wheels himself!

I think its great that Annette wants to try. I bet it won't take too long. Just don't forget the helmet! Hee Hee. Good Luck!

[lcdc1]

If her bike is small enough that she can have both feet on the ground when she sits on it, you will have it made! Just tell her to push around that way for a bit first, then you have to just run behind her and tell her to pedal and have strong arms to steer with. Once she gets the pedaling down, run with her and let go, but don't tell her you let go!

She will do it if she has balance. One thing you have to remember to tell her is stop pedaling when you have momentum! When I taught my youngest, she would pedal and pedal and go really fast and I was like, wow, she has no fear, cool. then I watched her wipe out and I was like wow babe, don't pedal so fast and she was like but I thought I had to pedal all the time! oops!

[charliegirl]

I did the hold on to the bike and have them pedal thing with both of my kids, letting go as soon as they seemed to be balancing.

Have her practice pedaling and then braking after going a couple of feet so she knows how to stop, then just do as you were. Make sure she knows she has to try to balance it herself and isn't leaning on you.

I bet she is riding very quickly.

[misty]

B e careful you don't let go when she's on any type of a grade. My dad was teaching Shannon & he let go while she was going down a small slope. She fell & refused to ever ride again. She's almost 14 & now doesn't know how to ride a bike.

[jill]

Thanks I love the ideas I will try the on grass thing later today. I did find online a website to buy bigger training wheels but not freakishly huge for $200 but if we can do without I will. Oh and her bike is small enough her feet can touch the ground but she is still nervous and we are now having balance issues.

[katiekat]

I had both boys start out on the grass too.
Good luck Annette!

[jill]

I went to a local bike shop and was able to purchase heavy duty training wheels bigger and sturdier for bigger kids and got excited. It only cost me $18 with tax included.


The website I had found was www.fatwheels.com

This website is for bigger kids with other disabilities.