Do you remember the first time you rode a bike? That rush of adrenaline and hint of nervousness blended with a feeling of accomplishment. The future was bright, and endless adventure possibilities lay ahead.
There’s nothing quite like that moment, and we know it’s something you want to help your child experience.
Covering the Essentials
Before we start riding, let’s make sure you have all the necessary gear to keep them safe and prepared. If you’re confident you’re ready to ride, feel free to skip ahead.
- First, and most importantly, you need to equip your child with a helmet. You can choose to add elbow or knee pads for extra protection—but a helmet is crucial to their safety.
- Next, you’ll need to know the right size and style of bike. Our sizing blog teaches you how to gather the correct measurements and offers great tips for finding the perfect fit.
- Lastly, there are a variety of bikes to begin learning with. These range from balance bikes and bikes with training wheels to larger options, depending on the rider.
Different Bike Styles for Learning
Once you have an idea of what you need to get started, you’re ready to start learning. These days, most kids learn using the balance bike method or with training wheels.
How your child starts learning is completely up to you. But we’ll discuss the benefits and details of each below.
Balance Bike
Designed to help kids learn balance first, these bikes encourage them to use their feet to push forward and coast.
Although they’re effective for mastering balance, the drawback of this method often requires buying two bikes. Huffy’s Grow Ride Move (GRM) line is designed to serve as both a balance bike and a beginner bike for learning.
To get your child started with a balance bike, lean it over to the side so they can step over it easily. You want to get them used to mounting the bike, which can be a challenge for some smaller kids.
As your child stands over the seat, adjust it so their feet are flat on the ground.
Then, once they have a solid hold of the handlebars, help them start walking with the bike. After a lot of practice, they will naturally begin to pick up speed while coasting and balancing on two wheels.
TIP: You can use small hills or drops to help increase speed as they get the hang of it.
Training Wheels
Huffy invented training wheels nearly 75 years ago, and they’ve been a standard on children’s bikes ever since. They’re included free on all 12-inch and 16-inch Huffy bikes.
When starting with a bike that uses training wheels, have the child step over it while it's upright. Adjust this bike’s seat so the child can stand above it—but only on their tiptoes.
What Many Parents Get Wrong
A crucial point that parents often overlook is that training wheels should not always be in contact with the ground. They’re meant to sit just above the ground.
This way, the rider can practice balancing on two wheels without fully depending on them. But if they lean too far, the training wheels are still there to “catch” them and provide support.
Before you start rolling, ensure they have a good grip on the handlebars. After that, you can help move them forward as they get a feel for pedaling.
Practicing Pedaling
A helpful tip to begin pedaling is to put the pedal of their dominant foot forward. This allows them to push down easily and build momentum.
From there, they simply need to alternate powering the pedals with both legs at a comfortable speed. Make sure they don’t apply too much pressure on each side, swaying from side to side. This is one of the most common reasons kids fall when learning on their own.
Braking on Balance Bikes and on Training Wheels
Braking applies to both beginner bike options mentioned above. However, there are different types for each method, which we’ll break down below.
Foot Power
When coasting on a balance bike in the beginning, kids will intuitively use their feet to gain speed and more importantly, slow down and stop.
Coaster Brakes
Coaster brakes are the most common type of beginner brakes and are found on bikes with pedals. They activate when the rider pushes the pedals backwards.
To help your kid learn, you may want to hold the bike in an upright position with them seated on it and that “Go” means pedal forward, and “Stop” means pedal backwards.
Hand Brakes
Hand brakes are typically seen on larger bikes, balance bikes, and on each size of Huffy’s GRM line of Kids’ bikes.
These are located behind the handlebars and activate when a rider squeezes them. Make sure the levers are close enough that your child’s hands can squeeze them.
To get them used to hand brakes, have them walk alongside the bike with their hand on the brake and practice applying pressure to see how the bike reacts.
NOTE: For hand brakes, be sure to specify which side controls the front and rear wheels to avoid abrupt stops or accidents.
Putting It All Together
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to prepare and start practicing.
Don’t expect your child to get it right away. The first few walk-throughs are really about helping them feel comfortable on the bike and learning how to get moving.
Preparing
- Set the seat to a comfortable, correct height.
- Hold the bike steady as they get situated and position the pedals for an easy start.
- Guide them forward while they pedal.
Keep holding on and repeat these steps until you both feel confident in their ability to pedal and steer. Once they’re steady, you can begin transitioning from holding on to letting go.
This part can feel nerve-wracking, so keep reassuring them. They may topple at first, so choose an area with softer ground.
Practicing
- Repeat the initial steps until you have enough speed and momentum.
- When they’re ready, give a small boost, let go, and encourage them to keep pedaling.
- Coach them as they ride and remind them how to brake.
That’s it! Repeat the process until they feel comfortable starting on their own.
Keep Rolling!
While continuing to practice, remember not to rush anything. Allow your rider to learn at their own pace, and above all else, be sure to keep it fun.
Learning to ride a bike is a big milestone. Start making memories and conquer it together with a quality Huffy ride designed with them in mind.