In the past, training wheels were a matter of course on the first children’s bicycle with 12, 14 or 16 inch wheels. Today you see them less and less. Instead, children learn to ride straight away without extra wheels – and often faster and more straightforwardly, with fewer falls and scraped knees.
But how do little girls and boys learn to ride a bicycle best? With or without training wheels? In this guide you’ll find out whether training wheels are still useful or rather not, and how you can support your child best when starting on a bicycle.
Why are more and more children learning to ride without training wheels?
↪ A balance bike trains balance
If you have children today, you might still remember your own 12 to 16 inch children’s bicycle – and it probably had training wheels. Balance bikes were common a few years ago; today they’re less common. What happened? Quite simply… A new toy helps children start enjoying bicycles today.
The secret: balance bike instead of training wheels
Many boys and girls don’t do their first rounds on a bicycle today; they ride a balance bike first. The balance bike has no drive and without pedals, balancing works out fairly quickly, because the children already have their feet on the ground anyway. They push themselves along with their feet and can stabilise at the same time when it gets wobbly. In the process, they learn the most important part of riding a bike alongside everything else: keeping balance.
Training wheels prevent exactly this development. While riding, the child doesn’t lean into the corner; they tend to ride more centrally and upright. When the training wheels are then removed, the learning process starts again more or less from the beginning. That doesn’t mean training wheels are generally bad. Some children need the extra security even if they’ve already been successful riding a balance bike.
Learning to ride a bicycle without training wheels
↪ Step by step to successful riding
Your child can already ride a balance bike safely, but wants to switch to a bicycle? Then the first rounds on the bicycle are about to get interesting. Of course, children can also start straight away with a bicycle without a balance bike and without training wheels, but experience shows: you’ll be running after them for a while in a bent-over posture 😉! Here are a few important tips for a successful start:
1. Choose the right bicycle
A bicycle that’s too big makes learning unnecessarily difficult. The child should be able to reach the ground safely with both feet.
2. Set the saddle correctly
For practising, the saddle can be set a little lower. That way, the child can always support themselves safely with their feet.
3. Roll first, then pedal!
No matter whether they have balance bike experience or not – encourage your child at first to get momentum with their feet and roll. This automatically creates a feel for the new vehicle and the necessary balance. That’s important for self-confidence.
4. Hold on
Your back will thank you – but holding onto and stabilising the children’s bicycle at the saddle is part of everyday parenting!
5. Practise braking
Before the first longer rides (and especially before going into unknown terrain), braking should work safely. A controlled stop prevents falls!
6. Use the pedals
Then it gets interesting: once the balance is in place, the first pedal rotations come. Many children surprise their parents now – pedalling works more easily than expected and they just ride off!
But would you rather use training wheels – this is how:
Your child wants to start with training wheels? Here’s an important thing to consider:
A children’s bicycle should not turn into a tricycle (or better… “four-wheeler”) even with training wheels! That’s not what the design is for. Both training wheels shouldn’t roll along permanently; always only one is for stabilising on the ground. The other training wheel hovers a few millimetres above the ground. For that, you have to set the training wheels correctly.
Set the training wheels correctly:
- You can adjust most training wheels a few centimetres in height.
- Both training wheels should be screwed on so that there’s a bit of clearance to the ground when the bicycle is standing still.
- This is how it’s set correctly: the bicycle stands on its own, one training wheel is on the ground, and one is a few millimetres in the air
|
While riding, the bicycle tips from one training wheel to the other depending on the cornering position – that’s why the training wheels really must only be a few millimetres above the ground. Watch out, children have to get used to that! |
Please note: Children’s bicycles with training wheels need level, smooth ground, offroad comes later. With helper wheels on the bike, slopes, bumps or descents are nasty trip hazards! Also, the children’s bicycle becomes heavier and you need more space to get around corners.
Then almost the same practice steps apply as above:
- Set saddle and handlebar height
- Get on and pedal carefully
- Practise braking
The next step: riding without training wheels
After a while, small children have the bicycle under control, then they want to ride without training wheels. Now you need a bit more patience again, because a second learning phase is coming up. The bike’s riding behaviour changes and balance also has to adapt. So practise again slowly!
When can children ride a bicycle without training wheels?
Training wheels are more of a starting aid than a long-term solution! The faster the little ones learn to ride without training wheels, the better. There is no fixed time. If your child feels “with” safe, they can move on to practising “without”. At the latest, the next bigger bicycle is a good opportunity to ride without helper wheels.
Learning to ride: with or without training wheels?
This question keeps many parents busy. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of training wheels
- provide security at the beginning
- allow first pedalling without tipping over
- you have to stabilise the bicycle by hand less
Disadvantages of training wheels
- balance is hardly trained
- the child needs the right practice terrain
- cornering works only to a limited extent
- later, the sense of balance has to be trained again
When can children ride with/without training wheels?
|
Age |
Bicycle size |
typical development |
|
2-3 years |
12 inch balance bike |
riding a balance bike |
|
3-4 years |
12/14 inch balance bike or 12/14 inch children’s bicycle |
balance bike or children’s bicycle with training wheels; balance is safer |
|
4-5 years |
large balance bike with 16 inch or 16 inch children’s bicycle |
balance bike or first attempts on a bicycle without training wheels |
|
5-6 years |
16 - 20 inch children’s bicycle |
many children don’t need training wheels anymore; they ride safely on their own |
Overview of age, bicycle size and ability
Please note: more important than age is the child’s body size and individual (motor) development. Can your child walk and run safely? Then they can also get going on a vehicle. With balance bikes and bicycles with or without training wheels, it’s also important that children can judge dangers to some extent, because both bikes are really fast!
Learning to ride a bicycle, very simply
↪ Tips from parents for parents
Which bicycle is suitable for learning?
Here are a few quick tips:
✅ as little weight as possible
✅ suitable bicycle size
✅ robust, child-friendly build and equipment
✅ low step-in
✅ set correctly
What to do if the child is afraid?
Not every child climbs onto a bicycle bravely and rides off; some beginners simply need a bit more encouragement!
This is how you can help your child when getting started:
- short practice rounds
- quiet traffic areas
- lots of praise instead of pressure
- enough breaks
- if it just won’t work… try again later
The most common mistakes when learning to ride a bicycle
The bicycle is too big – that “bicycle to grow into” is hard to handle!
Riding with training wheels for too long – if you ride with training wheels for too long, it’s difficult later without the help. Better to ride without them as soon as possible!
Applying pressure – only very few children become cycling performance athletes; the bicycle should be about fun above all! That’s why it’s better to praise than to put pressure on; each child has their own pace.
The wrong place – Ideal are traffic-calmed areas with smooth ground. For the first attempts (and falls), the ground can be a bit softer (e.g. a short-mown meadow).
Practise riding… but safely!
No matter whether it’s a balance bike or a bicycle, training wheels or without… your child needs a safe place to practise!
- The right surface: For the very first metres, it’s a good idea to choose the right surface. Not too hard and not too soft is just right, so the bicycle rolls, but the child won’t injure themselves as much in a fall.
- Familiar surroundings: Toddlers are busy enough with the bicycle! It helps if they don’t also have to focus on the surroundings, but instead know every stone, every bump in the ground and especially the sloping areas.
- No road traffic: Cars and too many pedestrians distract and get in the way of a beginner!
- Without a helmet and gloves: Safety equipment is important, no question! A children’s bicycle helmet and mini gloves are essential.
Frequently asked questions – the FAQs
Here are the answers to common questions from our customer service:
When can children ride without training wheels?
Many children manage the switch at 4 to 5 years old. The decisive factor is individual development, especially a trained sense of balance.
Tip: If your child rides safely, you shouldn’t wait too long before switching!
Are training wheels still useful today?
Some children can be given security at first. But most children learn to ride a balance bike first and then switch to a bicycle – without training wheels.
Are there training wheels for balance bikes?
No, for children’s balance bikes you can’t buy training wheels for two reasons: first, the children already have their feet on the ground anyway; they push and stabilise. Second, the wheels would get in the way of the legs during movement. For more stability, there are smaller balance bikes with double wheels in front or with four wheels.
Buying training wheels later
Where can I find training wheels?
On many children’s bicycles in the relevant sizes, training wheels are included. However, they are usually easy to attach and can be removed without any tools. If the bike doesn’t have them, you can also buy them separately in online shops (toy or bicycle shops).
Tip for buying training wheels: Make sure the training wheels are height-adjustable or can be screwed on at different heights, so they fit any children’s bicycle. The mounts usually fit all bicycles; they are simply screwed to the rear wheel axle.
For which bicycle sizes can you buy training wheels?
You can buy training wheels for the common bicycle sizes for toddlers and kindergarten children, i.e. 12 inch and 14 inch. From 16 inch and 18 inch, training wheels are already rarer.
How long does it take to learn to ride?
That varies a lot. It depends on what age your son or daughter starts and how far their motor skills have already been trained. But personality also plays a role: little daredevils are often faster, while more cautious kids need a bit more time. Some children ride independently after a few hours, others need a few weeks or months. With training wheels, a second learning phase comes along.
Is a balance bike better than training wheels?
In many cases, yes. A balance bike trains balance and makes the later switch much easier.
What’s more important for a successful start – age or body size?
Neither! Interest and the necessary motor maturity are the key points.
Conclusion: learning to ride without training wheels often works easier than you think!
Many children learn to ride faster today without training wheels because their balance has already been trained on the balance bike. With the right children’s bicycle, a bit of patience and lots of praise, wobbly first metres soon turn into a safe ride to kindergarten.
And if it takes longer anyway? No problem – no one*e cyclist has fallen from the sky!
Read more: topics about children + bikes in the Bike Blog
When can a balance bike? | What helmet size do children need?
Children’s bicycles and safety accessories in the BMO Online Shop
Children’s bicycles | Balance bikes for children | Bicycle helmets for children | Children’s cycling gloves | Children’s bicycles with training wheels
Title image: Abdulmutalib on Pexels
