The Best Balance Bikes
I got the idea for this site while shopping for a balance bike for my daughter. I am obsessed with researching stuff before I buy anything and was having a hard time finding unbiased balance bike reviews. I have put together some of my opinions (both good and bad) of the most popular models available.
What is a balance bike?
A balance bike is sometimes referred to as a learning bike, walking bike or running bike. These bikes are the best way to get your child ready to ride a standard bicycle. Balance bikes are based on the same principals as a regular bike except for the fact that they have no pedals and kids just push themselves along with their feet.
The hardest part about learning to ride a bike is figuring out how to balance. Once a child learns this skill they will be able to learn the mechanics of pedaling in a matter of minutes.
Why training wheels don’t work
Training wheels don’t help your kids learn the skills necessary to ride a bike. In fact they can actually hinder your child’s ability and make the whole learning process longer and more stressful than it has to be. Teaching these important skills is where a balance bike like the Strider bike leave training wheels in the dust. Your son or daughter will build their confidence because they will feel secure with both feet on the ground. I think you will be surprised how soon they will be lifting their feet and coasting along on just two wheels.
Why are balance bikes the perfect first bike?
When shopping for a child’s first bike most parents consider a tricycle or a bike with training wheels. Both of these designs will not teach kids the skills needed to use a two wheel bicycle they will learn to become dependent on the bike to hold them up and not gradually improve their own balance. That is why balance bikes work so well your kids will gradually build their balance at their own pace until they are ready to pick up their feet.
Tricycles are dangerous for your kids
Tricycles are designed poorly and can cause injuries to your children. Most of the time a tricycle is considered safe because of the speed which kids can operate them (pretty slowly). They may seem fine but imagine if you’re kid ends up going down a hill really picks up speed as soon as they turn the handlebars they are going to take a dive. The United States government actually banned production of three wheeled ATVs in 1988 because the three wheel design is so dangerous.
Balance bikes just make sense
Why would you want to waste your child’s time by letting them become accustomed to training wheels. As soon as it is time for the “training” wheels to come off there will still be that leap of faith when you have to let go of the seat for the first time. This could result in a crash and may scare them away from getting back on their bike to try again.
With a balance bike your child will learn the hardest part of bike riding at their own pace once they are able to master the balance portion of riding the pedaling will we piece of cake.
