How should kids do cycle?

As young as four-year-olds, kids have the right balance, agility, leg strength, and understanding of basic instructions to cycle. However, not all have the components or emotionally prepared to ride kids cycle until they are six years or older. If parents place pressure or show frustration, it further delays the process. When your child is ready to whirl it, it helps to take a step-by-step approach for teaching them life skills.

Avoid starting on the street

You want your kid to feel entirely at ease when they sit on the cycle saddle, and streets are never the place for that. Instead, you could start training them at an empty parking lot, trail, or park.

Do not consider training wheels

This is an old-school way of teaching children cycle, and though it might work, it is less effective than the gliding method. You do not require a particular cycle to teach the gliding method. Instead, remove the pedals from the standard cycle and lower the seat. This way, the new cyclist can sit on the saddle with both feet on the ground. Then, teach them to push their feet and glide on the cycle.

Once they learn to safely balance themselves for a few seconds, add the pedals back, up the seat, and teach them to pedal. This method is highly effective as it teaches kids to balance than the training wheels.

Appropriate cycle size

Sure, your kid is not going to climb Mount Everest or embark on a cycle tour the minute you teach them how to pedal. But that does not mean you should gift them an ill-fitting cycle. Instead, find a bike that they can stand over without contacting the top tube and reach the handlebars without straining. You do not want to make your kids ride too large cycles that is scary to mount and dismount.

Avoid pushing or running alongside

Cycles are considered interactive toys, indeed, and we have had our dads swearing up and down he would never let go off the saddle. This, sometimes, launches you into a lifetime of uncertainty and distrust with one resounding push. It is not an effective tactic, honestly. If you run alongside your kid, the cycle might wobble and counteracts any balancing techniques your child should be learning. Let them gain momentum through their pedal strokes.

Do not pressurise children

Yes, you are excited. You taught your kid how to pedal the bike. But pump the brakes there. This does not necessarily mean you have found a partner to cycle. Let them practice their pace. They should learn to slow-roll around the parking lot or a trail. Do not push them to ride on roads or increase mileage than they are prepared for.

It should be fun

It is easy to get frustrated with your child when they do not pick up valuable lessons. But patience, being upbeat, and making the process enjoyable and fun can go a long way to put your kid at ease. Kids cycle process should come with motivational rewards like ice creams!