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The balance bike is not a new invention. The first balance bike was created by Karl Drais called the Laufmaschine which literally means running machine. In those days, bikes were called velocipedes. Karl Drais’ invention soon evolved into the bikes with pedals which we all know and love today.
Today, toddlers as young as two years old can learn to ride a bike by using a smaller version of Karl Drais’ Laufmaschine. Karl’s invention has been miniaturized so that children can learn the basic concepts of balancing and steering.
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A few years ago, nobody would have encouraged kids to learn how to ride a bike by removing the pedals. Parents had to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a tricycle then move towards a bike with training wheels until their kids were older.
The greatest advantage of using a balance bike to learn how to ride a pedaled bike is that the children only need to focus on learning how to balance. The balance bike centers their attention on the concept of bike balancing and eliminates the need to learn how to balance while pedaling at the same time. Those who learned how to ride a bike with training wheels have only learned the concept of steering and not balancing. They become dependent on the training wheels and have to learn how to bike balance once the wheels come off. With balance bikes, the transition is much smoother, with kids learning how to balance and then moving on to learning the concept of pedaling instead of running.
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When a child is presented with a balance bike, his first instinct would tell him to sit on the saddle and move the bike with his feet. In no time at all, your child will start to run while sitting and when he has built enough speed, will raise his feet so he can glide on the road with ease!
Choosing your child’s first balance bike is an important part of the process. When looking for a balance bike, always bring your child to the store so you can see what suits him best. You need your child to go with you to the bicycle shops, so you can find a bike that will match his height and weight. To test for comfort, let your child sit on the bike and observe his stance. Both feet should firmly touch the ground and he should sit comfortably on the saddle. If the saddle looks too wide or narrow, you can ask the shop assistant to help you customize the bike.
The bike should have no loose screws or odd knobs that could injure your child. For this reason, many parents are wary of buying bikes with bull horns on the handlebar or a bike with wings on the wheels. The handlebars should only be able to rotate for 180 degrees. Handlebars that rotate a full 360 degrees are dangerous for beginners especially if he makes the mistake of turning too much at the last moment. Most bikes have brakes, test to see if your child will be able to grab it with a slightly open hand and be able to squeeze the lever with ease. Most children first learn the concept of braking by dragging their feet on the ground, but as your child learns the basics of biking, he will soon want to squeeze that break for added stability.
There are two types of bikes available on the market. A balance bike made of metal is sturdier and is best used as a road bike on rough terrain or if you have a child who cannot resist smashing his toys when he’s mad. Wooden bikes on the other hand, are very light; they weigh less than ten pounds and are best used on pavement roads or a child who is not heavy.
Adjustability is a very crucial option when choosing a bike. Bikes that have fixed saddles will have to be replaced once your child has grown. Most bikes offer the option adjustable saddle and replaceable pedals. These days, features like these are quite common and you won’t have a hard time looking for a bike that can be adjusted. BMX bikes are wonderful metal bikes that feature adjustable saddles and replaceable pedals.
You can opt to buy your neighbors used bike if you want to save on costs. Those who opt to buy wooden bikes that cannot be adjusted are often sold cheap online or at flea markets. Used bikes have to be checked for any damages and you have to make sure that the bike still feels sturdy when it is carried. Some bikes that have miniscule cracks on the saddle can pose a threat to young children as they might fall down and break their necks.
Safety is an important issue to be taught to your child once you offer him his first balance bike. Try introducing the bike along with a helmet and some safety pads and encourage him to use these whenever he goes out. Kids often resist the idea of wearing helmets because it minimizes the feeling of the wind in their hair, be a role model and show him that even grown ups have to wear helmets to be safe. Next, show him the limited area where he can ride his bike and where he is forbidden to ride his bike. You won’t be able to leave him to bike on his own anytime soon, but it is good to reinforce such rules by watching over him from a safe distance.
The balance bike is a wonderful way to introduce your child to cardiovascular exercises. At a young age, it is important to maintain a healthy mode of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Your child may not be able to appreciate what exercise does for his body yet, but when he grows up, he will be happy for your early initiative. Studies show that a child who learns to love a cardiovascular activity at an early age, will have less chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases or suffer from obesity.
