Why choose a balance bike first? An expert gives their reasons for binning the pedals

Learning to ride a bike is a big moment for any child – and their parent! It can also feel like trying to teach someone to breathe, it’s been so long since you learnt to ride a bike (if you, in fact, do know how) that explaining it to your toddler can seem impossible.  

We asked Karen Wood, balance bike expert and co-owner of Kidvelo® Bikes, to share why she loves balance bikes – and why you should choose one too! 

I am a huge fan of balance bikes. I discovered them for my own children, 12 years ago. I had a 4-year-old who was struggling to learn to ride a bike and I hadn’t considered two wheels for my 18-month-old.  

For the 4-year-old we had a bike with stabilisers. We seemed to spend days struggling up and down curbs or precariously hanging on to the seat to keep her upright when we took them off.  

Frankly, the whole process was not enjoyable for either of us. Pavements are rarely smooth, flat surfaces; inevitably the child also ends up tilted, with only one stabiliser on the ground. They also are far heavier than the child riding them.  

It’s all frustrating and when your child wants time off the bike, they are impossible to lug home again. 

All that changed when I saw a toddler riding on a balance bike.  

I was amazed that he could ride on two wheels with such ease, it was as if the bike was a natural extension of him! On closer inspection the bike had no pedals.   

By swapping to balance bikes, our 4-year-old took only a couple of weeks to learn balance and the youngest was riding by the age of 3.  

So why do balance bikes work in teaching a child to learn to ride a bike?  

Balance bikes have no pedals. The toddler’s feet are flat on the floor. There is nothing complicated to confuse, so the rider simply starts walking the bike along. Initially, children normally don’t even sit down and shuffle it along.  

Balance is being taught without even realising it. As the bike leans to one side, the rider will naturally bring it back upright, in order to move forwards. Stabilisers introduce the concept of pedalling first, however, once removed, we see children falling over to one side immediately as they have not learned to balance.  

Making progress with a skill is fun, and balance bikes make that fast. As the process of riding a balance bike is instinctive, the kids are simply having fun, gaining speed and confidence, without realising they are learning. The little ones love the feeling of accomplishment, while having fun. And importantly, they feel safe.   

Children will learn other bike skills instinctively. As confidence grows, they start sitting down and picking up their feet for longer periods of time, and start moving quicker.  

This whole time, balance is being learned, motor skills and coordination are improving and the child is having fun! It also allows you two free hands to push a buggy, carry shopping and get somewhere quicker. 

To find out how to choose the right balance bike for your child, Karen has shared some top sizing tips with MFFY users, which you can find here. If you’re not sure about investing in a balance bike right away, look for rental services in your area and see if you can try one out before you buy. You can check out the Kidvelo® Bikes range here.