Tips for Parents - Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike

You learn to ride a bike by doing it. And you get even better at it by doing it often. The more often, the better. Our cycling instructors have gathered the best tips for you to use at home.

The tips align with the lessons your child receives at school. If you practice the same way the cycling instructors do, the expectation is that children will improve even faster.

We have tips for every level. Click on the button that matches your child's level or scroll down to see all the tips.

What is your child's level?

Level 1 - The Basics: The best tips for learning to balance on a balance bike.

Tip 1: Start on a balance bike

A balance bike helps children practice their balance, which is important for being able to ride a bike later. They feel more confident because they can stop and steer on their own. This way, they learn to maintain balance through play, allowing them to transition directly to a bike with pedals later. Without training wheels.

Tip 2: Don’t have a balance bike? Then remove the pedals (and training wheels) from the bike.

You can create a balance bike by first unscrewing the pedals from the bike using a 15mm wrench. Turn the pedals in the correct direction: the right pedal unscrews counterclockwise, and the left pedal unscrews clockwise. Once the pedals are off, the child can use the bike as a balance bike to practice maintaining balance.

Tip 3: Adjust the seat of the balance bike to the correct height.

The correct saddle height for a balance bike is important for proper balance. The saddle should be set so that the child can stand with both feet flat on the ground. The knees should be slightly bent, allowing the child to walk easily and feel safe.

Tip 4: Learn balance by 'flapping'

The trick to teaching children how to balance is to 'flap.' This means pushing off with both feet at the same time instead of with one leg. When you 'flap,' you are forced to balance for a short moment. The harder a child pushes off, the longer they can keep their feet off the ground.

Level 2: Learn to pedal without training wheels

Tip 1: This is how you know if your child is ready to transition to a bike with pedals.

We follow this rule: if your child can balance with their feet off the ground for 5 meters, they are ready to transition to a bike with pedals.

Tip 2: Keep pedaling to maintain speed.

Children often forget that they need to keep pedaling to maintain speed. Does this happen with your child? Then shout "KEEP PEDALING!" The speed you need depends on the situation: faster on straight sections and slower in the turn.

Tip 3: Look at the point where you want to go.

Teach your child to look far ahead in the direction they want to cycle. If you want to turn left, look to the left. If you don’t want to hit a pole, look at the path beside it. Because if you look at the pole, you’ll ride into it. Always keep pedaling!

Tip 4: Sit up straight. Hands firmly on the handlebar

With beginner cyclists, you often see that the child sits very tense on the bike. The hands should be around the handlebars, holding firmly but not gripping too tightly.

Tip 5: The first time on the pedals. Support by pushing under the shoulders.

The first time on the pedals: Support by pushing under the shoulders. Cycling becomes easier with some speed. Help the child move forward by pushing them. It’s important to jog along slowly while doing this. Push the child with one hand on the top of their shoulders. This way, you can feel if the child has enough balance to keep riding. Once you notice that the child has a good pace, try letting go for short moments. Gradually make those moments longer until they are cycling on their own. Then take a few steps back yourself. This way, it will seem like the child has ridden a very long distance by themselves.

Level 3: Practice the first traffic skills.

Tip 1: How do you know if your child is ready to ride on the road together?

We follow these rules: The child must be able to ride straight without wobbling, make an emergency stop on command, and smoothly navigate a turn.

Tip 2: Coach your child continuously

When cycling on the road with your child, it’s important to keep talking continuously. Point out cars, other cyclists, and traffic lights, and explain what you're doing. For example, say: "We’re stopping here because a car is coming" or "Make sure to look left and right before crossing." This way, your child learns to cycle safely in traffic. It’s easiest if the child cycles next to you, with you on the street side and the child on the sidewalk side.

Tip 3. Unexpected situations - Practice the 'emergency stop'

This is a skill every child should master. As soon as you shout 'STOP,' the child should brake hard (especially with the coaster brake) to stop as quickly as possible. Be careful, because if the child only uses the front brake (a hand brake), there is a risk of flipping over. The correct posture is leaning slightly backward with the pedals in the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

Tip 4: Going off a curb or over a branch? Pedals at 3 and 9 o'clock.

A tree root, an unexpected curb, a branch on the bike path, a puddle of water—you’ll encounter all of these at some point. Often, you can simply ride over or through them. The pedals should be level, at 3 and 9 o’clock. Lift slightly out of the saddle and look where you want to go. Practice this by, for example, riding off a curb.

Tip 5: Use your hand to signal a turn

For children, it can be very scary to let go of one hand. That’s why we teach them in steps. First, let go for a very short time, then a bit longer, then give a high five, and finally fully extend the arm. This is practiced for both the left and right arm.

Tip 6: Practice looking back when turning.

In traffic, a child must be aware that they are not the only road user. Teach the child to look back before a turn by standing in the spot where they need to look. Hold up a few fingers, and the child should say how many fingers they see.