Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Ideas on Learning to Ride a Bike

When DS turned 2 we bought him a bike w/ training wheels b/c he started doing tricks on his tricycle. We took that as a sign that he may be ready to upgrade. The first two days on the bike were frustrating for DS b/c he was trying to figure out the new placement of the feet. Day 3 something clicked and he�s been enjoying it ever since.

However, I haven�t raised the training wheels further. I still cringe when DS takes a corner since both training wheels don�t touch the ground. Do you see any reason why I shouldn�t leave the bike as-is (i.e., not raise the training wheels bit by bit)? I�d prefer not to raise the training wheels b/c I�m too nervous. I�m not sure at what age kids typically ride a bike w/o training wheels. I wonder if I�m being over protective/anxious.

At least DS doesn�t mind wearing his helmet. When we were at REI getting his bike we had to get a big helmet b/c DS has a large melon head. Should he be wearing knee or elbow pads? What seems to work for your kiddos?

Thanks Dottie! At least DS's helping me work off the sweets I glutinously consume. I run alongside him as he rides. I�m not enjoying my �love� handles. Perhaps you can loan me some big girl pants. A while ago he took a corner too fast - the bike toppled and DS fell into the street skinning his elbow pretty bad. There was a moment of pause. I wanted to yelp and rush him to the house to clean his elbow. It took self-control I don�t usually possess for me to stand there and wait for DS�s reaction. ...which was to get back on the bike and ride the rest of the way around the block. Sigh. How many times do children make your heart stop with fear for their safety or emotional well-being? They should hand out Xanax in the delivery room to new moms.

Yes, 2yo sounds WAY too early to me for raising the training wheels.

2yo is quite early for a 2-wheeler, I think, though that's not a judgement since your DS was clearly ready for it. I mean it only as an observation that your DS is ahead of the curve on this.

I'm with Dottie: the end of last summer (age 6 and a few months) was DS7's first year without training wheels. Until they're 5-7yo, kids usually don't have the balance and leg strength to manage without training wheels.

We have used a helmet and no pads with DS4 (who started riding a 2-wheeler at 3yo, at the end of last season), though the pads wouldn't be a bad idea. Either that or have a good supply of bandaids on hand. We have used our share!

Snort - you reminded me that I've hidden the bandaids. During DS's "naked time" (what he calls it) I caught him jumping on our bed doing the "naked dance" covered in a box of bandaids. DS's always had a love affair w/ adhesive things. The naked dance goes something like this: gorilla stance shifting weight side to side while singing "I'm naked - I'm naked - I'm really really naked - Naked! Naked! Naked!".

I think raising the training wheels a bit can actually help with cornering. I taught my DD to ride a two-wheeler on the grass at the park before she tried it on cement.

Yes, grass at the park is good!

DD5 started riding without wheels about the time she turned 4, maybe just before.
DD8 STILL cannot ride a bike by herself. Her dad helps her get going, then she freaks out, starts crying and storms into the house.
Fun times, fun times.

LOL on the "naked dance" Ann! 2 is very young to be riding a bike. Like others have mentioned, most children are between 5 and 7 before they ride without training wheels. I do have a friend though whose son rode a bike without training wheels at 18 months. They got him a pocket rocket when he was 3!!!! (I'm not advocating this - just stating facts). He is the only child I have ever heard of that did these things this early. Sounds like your child must have wonderful balance too!!!

My little guy is 5 and is just about ready for the training wheels to come off - not quite - but soon....the boy down the street is 7 and he just had his training wheels come off a few weeks ago....I used to run behind our son with his bike but he got to be really, really fast so we just went and purchased our own mommy/daddy bike and now we ride together :-) I think 2 is really too soon for a 2 wheeler. He has actually gotten his balance really well from his scooter that we got...he can now go like the wind while pumping with his foot on the ground behind him and then lifting it up and balancing it on the scooter with his other and he is making all kinds of turns and tricks while balancing...I think that has helped him big time with understanding balance and will help him when the trainers come off

Ann
No anecdotal evidence here, just a thought. Sounds like your life is super-stressful so just let your guy do his bike thing -- and wait until he asks or even longer to consider two-wheeling. He'll be fine and you won't be creating more stress/fear/ craziness/ uncertainty in the bigger picture.

XXOX (oops! I'm I just supposed to say 'hugs' convention paranoia...
Aline

Riding a two-wheeler at 18 months! Holy cow! That's great.

Love the naked dance! We have that, too with our 4yo. Never has there been a child who so enjoyed being without clothing...except perhaps your child. So fun!

DS5 has been riding without the training wheels for last few weeks only. I don't think he was ready for it last year. A son of a friend of mine could do it already around his 3rd birthday.

LOL at the naked dance. We never had that.

I'm going to make Kristin happy with a bit of philosophising here.

This is a good example of why children come with 2 parents, one male who tends to be daring, one female who tends to patch up the booboos. Every child needs someone to say, "go go go!", and tell the child to shake it off when they get minor booboos. They also need someone to comfort them and encourage them to keep trying.

As most said, 5-7 is typical to take off the training wheels. I took off GS8's on his 7th birthday(a bit of role reversal between hubby & me, but whatever works!). It was another couple months before he really took off. I have seen plenty of children younger than 5, just depends on how much the kid wants it I guess.

And I agree completely, OHG!

I fear the bike riding. Actually, the teaching of the riding, not so much the riding itself.

My DS is almost 3, an is bog for his age, but he seems to be a bit uncoordinated. We have a Big Wheel for him that I haven't pulled out since last summer, but I think he's finally ready to try that. Maybe a tricycle. No way my big oaf of a kid is ready for a 2 wheeler with, or especially without, training wheels.

FWIW, DD (4 as of next week) just got on a bike with training wheels for the first time a few weeks ago. DS7 was freewheeling without training wheels last summer at 6. He was close the year before then winter came upon us. He was held back a bit by the long, hard winters we endure! This year he got a little bit bigger bike with gears and hand brakes and he can go for miles and miles - quite fun! I still like our really big trike for our 4 year old.

Anyway - keep those training wheels on!

And DS7 was a big fan of the naked dance. A lot of times he still leaves his pants by the door when he comes in. At least he doesn't do it at other people's houses anymore!

Hi Catherine! My DS 2.6 is big for his age -- at least he seems big to me when I need to pick him up -- 3'5" & 44lbs. DS had a radio flyer trike when he was 18 mos but we had to shop around for a bigger trike when he got a little older. We were able to find a big trike at REI, which is where we also got his bike w/ training wheels. REI is just a thought if you have trouble finding bikes to fit your big kid.

You've got it OGH! DS goes to DH to fulfill his daredevil side, but when he wants comfort or a kiss for an owie he comes to me.

Oh my goodness Ann! My 7 year old DS weighs 48. My almost 4 year old DD weighs maybe pushing 40. He is a BIG boy.

We got both kid bikes we have at REI. They are really nice bikes. Especially the geared/hand brake 20" we just got. We actually do go out and ride as a family for a couple hours at a time (with DD in a burley trailer).

It's a good thing there isn't a nudist component of GT functions. DS would have no problem stripping down. He definitely didn't get my home-body modest gene. This morning DS went to school with a panty liner across his forehead. Sigh. He referrs to it as "a clean one." When he asks me for "a clean one" I'm supposed to fork over a panty liner. He likes it b/c it has a bigger patch of adhesive than his stickers or post-its. I wonder how long this love affair w/ adhesives will last. DS enjoys going to school with big stickers on his cheeks, forehead and mouth. I'm supposed to try to decipher what he says behind the sticker on his mouth. Double sigh. Recently I took DS to a dinner party at my professor's house. DS went around shaking people's hands and introducing himself. I've never seen him shake hands before. Kids never cease to amaze me.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Just don't send him to school like that, right, Ann?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I didn't know how much older kids weigh. I'm not good at guessing ages or weight. DS is like a block of cement. He's not fat, but broad and solid. Since he was little we've had to buy his shoes at Stride Rite b/c they sell an extra wide shoe for kids. I wonder if DS will stop gaining weight and just grow taller for a while. The strange thing is that he doesn't eat much, and what he eats is relatively healthy. My DS hasn't had fast-food yet. Shrug. It's made clothes shopping an interesting experience.

I rode a bike as a kid, but I feel uncoordinated in my 30+ years. I'm glad you've had a good experience with REI. It's nice to hear. I'll have to work on attempting to ride a bike with DS. I'll keep you in the back of my mind as comfort.

There was a massive tantrum in the car b/c DS wouldn't take the panty liner off. DH told me I can't give him any more on school mornings. At least I was able to get the panty liner bracelets and ankle cuffs off of him before we left the house.

I'm still chuckling at the thought of the panty liner on his forehead at school. It's killing me!

Glad to make you smile. DS liked to think he was Rambo this morning. I'm going to have to hide the panty liners with the bandaids in a new spot. Fortunately his butt doesn't itch anymore - last night he asked me to scratch it b/c it itched. It was a bizarre visual.

I'm laughing at the thought of your DH having to reprimand you "no more panty liners before school!"

Your DS is very big. I have a little peanut - my DS4.4 hasn't broken the 35 lb barrier yet. I helped one of his solid friends on a swing the other day and thought I was going to drop him!

My DS is veeeeery cautious. He will do a tricycle inside a bit, but he's not very good at it. I don't think we have to worry about bikes for a few years! good luck

My DS definitely slowed down on the weight gain at about 4. And actually both my kids were very roly poly babies high on the growth chart. It all seems to work itself out eventually! Your little guy is tall too. He may be taller or close to my almost 4 year old? I'm not a big fan of growth charts. I think kids that are active and eating decent food turn out fine.

And the panty liner thing has me rolling on the floor too. Be sure to get good pictures of that to use during the teenage years!

Here's an idea to get him off panty liners - go raid the office supplies. Avery makes a bunch of different kinds/sizes of sticker paper for printing. then you can print designs on them too. just a thought.

So glad to see that I am not alone with a tall child :-) My DS5 turned 5 in Jan. and has always been at the top of both weight and height since he was born....he is now 4 feet tall and weighs in at 58 pounds. Both my husband and I are very tall 6'3 and 5'10 and all of his doctors have all stated that he is no where even remotely close to being overweight just that he is going to be a very tall boy....he is in a size 2.5 big boy shoe and we also have to shop at Stride Rite :-) Gotta love the naked dance! My DS is into that as well - picture the scene, we just came home from Montessori preschool, he stripped off his shorts/underwear and here is this little boy flying down our front sidewalk on his scooter with his shirt (which thankfully was very long on him)and his bum free to the breeze with mom yelling and running after him to get him back into the house before anyone sees him :-)

Thanks for the great ideas!!! I think DS would love it if I mummified him in sheets of sticky paper.

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm loving the idea of a 2yo Staples-created mummy!

I'd PM pics if I knew how to do it.