Many students come to us to specifically to learn to ride without training wheels. Parents often ask me if I can guarantee their child will learn to ride successfully in our seven-week spring program. My answer is always no. We can and will help their child to improve their riding skills and we do have a great success rate but we cannot make guarantees.
Everyone would like to see their child riding a two-wheeler but there are specific criteria that must be met before we can begin to take the training wheels away.
The child must be able to ride a bike with a regular drive system. It can either be a one-geared bike with a coaster brake or a mutli-geared bike, but it cannot be an adapted solid drive.
The child must be able to pedal at a good speed for a good distance. If their pedaling skills are slow or weak they will not be able to maintain the speed required to keep a two-wheeler upright and balanced.
They should have some concept of braking and steering to avoid obstacles. Once someone is riding a two-wheeler without trainers they will be going much faster and so control will become much more of an issue.
Motivation is often a key factor in success. A child has to want to ride without their training wheels. If they are resistant it is difficult to motivate them. If they are afraid they must have much more time to get past their fear and learn to trust themselves and their abilities. You cannot simply push someone through their fears.
‘Practice does makes perfect’ when it comes to bike riding. The learning that occurs in class needs to be supported by practice at home. It is hard for anyone to master any physical skill in a timely manner if they only devote one hour a week to it. That being said while we can show parents how to practice with their children it is difficult for many reasons. There are time constraints, there may be anxiety on the part of the parents to push, and children are usually less independent when working with parents. All of these are valid issues that can impede progress.
Scooters provide a great alternative activity that helps to build the balance to support successful biking. We use scooters extensively in our bike classes. Riding a scooter requires the same balance dynamic as riding a bike (leaning into the turn). Scooters are simpler to master so the children can ride independently at a home while building skills and confidence.
Bike riding is a skill that many people take for granted once they have mastered it. If you analyze all the skills or steps involved in riding a two-wheeler it is a wonder that anyone is successful. Riding may be one of the most difficult activities that our children participate in. It is an achievable skill for many but it takes time, patience and practice.
