In the past, training wheels were a natural part of the first children's bicycle with 12, 14, or 16 inches. Today, they are seen less and less. Instead, children learn to ride a bike directly without additional wheels – often faster, more uncomplicated, and even with fewer falls and scraped knees.
But how do little girls and boys actually learn to ride a bike best? With or without training wheels? In this guide, you will find out whether training wheels are still useful or not, and how you can best support your child when starting out on a bicycle.
Why are more and more children learning to ride a bike without training wheels?
↪ A balance bike trains balance
Anyone who has children today might still remember their own 12- to 16-inch children's bicycle – and it probably had training wheels. The balance wheels were common a few years ago, but today they are not so much. What happened? Quite simply... A new toy helps children today start the fun of cycling.
The secret: Balance bike instead of training wheels
Many boys and girls today take their first rounds not on a bicycle, they first ride a balance bike. The balance bike has no drive and without pedals, balancing works quite quickly because the children have their feet on the ground anyway. They push themselves with their feet and can stabilize themselves when it gets wobbly. In doing so, they learn the most important part of cycling quite incidentally: keeping their balance.
Training wheels prevent exactly this development. When riding, the child does not lean into the curve; they ride more in the middle and upright through the area. When the training wheels are then removed, the learning process starts more or less from scratch. But that does not mean that training wheels are generally bad. Some children need the additional security, even if they have already successfully ridden a balance bike.
Learning to ride a bike without training wheels
↪ Step by step successful cycling
Your child is already safely riding a balance bike, but wants to switch to a bicycle? Then it gets exciting, the first rounds on the bicycle are coming up. Children can of course also directly ride a bicycle without training wheels, but experience shows: Here you will be running bent over for a while 😉! Here are some important tips for a successful start:
1. Choose the right bicycle
A bicycle that is too large makes learning unnecessarily difficult. The child should be able to reach the ground safely with both feet.
2. Adjust the saddle correctly
For practice, the saddle can be set a little lower. This way, the child can safely support themselves with their feet at any time.
3. First roll, then pedal!
Whether with or without balance bike experience – encourage your child to first gain momentum with their feet and roll. This automatically creates a feeling for the new vehicle and the necessary balance. This is important for self-confidence.
4. Hold on
Your back will thank you – but holding and stabilizing the children's bicycle by the saddle is part of everyday parenting!
5. Practice 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 exciting: As soon as the balance is there, the first pedal rotations come. Many children surprise their parents now, pedaling works more smoothly than expected and they just ride away!
Preferably with Training Wheels – Here's How:
Your child wants to start with training wheels? Here's an important thing to note:
A children's bicycle should not become a tricycle (or better... “quadricycle”) even with training wheels! The construction is not intended for that. Both training wheels should not roll permanently, only one is for stabilizing on the ground. The other training wheel hovers a few millimeters above the ground. For this, you need to adjust the training wheels correctly.
Adjust Training Wheels Correctly:
- You can adjust most training wheels a few centimeters in height.
- Both training wheels are screwed on so that there is some clearance from the ground when the bicycle is upright.
- This is the correct setting: The bicycle stands alone, one training wheel is on the ground, the other is a few millimeters in the air
|
While riding, the bicycle tilts from one training wheel to the other depending on the curve position – that's why the training wheels should really only be a few millimeters above the ground. Attention, children need to get used to this! |
Please note: Children's bicycles with training wheels need flat, smooth ground, offroad comes later. With support wheels on the bike, slopes, bumps, or inclines become dangerous stumbling blocks! Additionally, the children's bicycle becomes more sluggish and needs more space to make a turn.
Then almost the same practice steps apply as above:
- Adjust the height of the saddle and handlebars
- mount and pedal carefully
- practice braking
The Next Step: Cycling Without Training Wheels
After a while, small children have the bicycle well under control, then they want to ride without training wheels. Now patience is needed again because a second learning phase is required. The bike's handling changes and the balance also needs to adjust. So practice nice and slowly again!
When Can Children Ride a Bicycle Without Training Wheels?
Training wheels are more of a starting aid than a permanent solution! The faster the little ones learn to ride without training wheels, the better. If your child feels “with” secure, it can start practicing “without”. At the latest, the next larger bicycle is a good opportunity to ride without support wheels.
Learning to Ride a Bike: With or Without Training Wheels?
This question occupies many parents. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Training Wheels
- initially provide security
- allow first pedaling without tipping over
- you have to stabilize the bike less by hand
Disadvantages of Training Wheels
- balance is hardly trained
- the child needs the appropriate practice terrain
- cornering is only limited
- later, the sense of balance must be retrained
From When Do Children Ride With/Without Training Wheels?
|
Age |
Bike Size |
Typical Development |
|
2-3 Years |
Balance Bike 12 inches |
Riding a balance bike |
|
3-4 Years |
12/14 inch balance bike or 12/14 inch children's bike |
Balance bike or children's bike with training wheels; balance becomes more secure |
|
4-5 Years |
large balance bike with 16 inches or 16 inch children's bike |
Balance bike or first attempts on the bike without training wheels |
|
5-6 Years |
16 - 20 inch children's bike |
many children no longer need training wheels, they ride independently and safely |
Overview of Age, Bike Size, and Skills
Please note: More important than age information is the child's height and individual (motor) development. Can your child walk and run safely? Then they can also start on a vehicle. With balance bikes and bicycles with or without training wheels, it is also important that children can somewhat assess dangers, as both bikes can get really fast!
Learning to Ride a Bike Made Easy
↪ Tips from Parents for Parents
Which Bike is Suitable for Learning?
Here are a few quick tips:
✅ as light as possible
✅ appropriate bike size
✅ robust, child-friendly design and equipment
✅ low entry
✅ properly adjusted
What to Do If the Child is Afraid?
Not every child boldly gets on the bike and starts, some beginners simply need a little more encouragement!
How you can help your child get started:
- short practice rounds
- quiet traffic areas
- lots of praise instead of pressure
- plenty of breaks
- if it doesn't work at all... try again later
The Most Common Mistakes When Learning to Ride a Bike
The bike is too big – the too large "bike to grow into" is hard to handle!
Riding with training wheels for too long – those who ride with training wheels for too long will struggle later without the help. Better to ride without as soon as possible!
Applying pressure – only a few children become cycling athletes, the bike should primarily be fun! Therefore, better to praise than to apply pressure, every child has their own pace.
Wrong place – Ideal are traffic-calmed areas with smooth ground. For the first attempts (and falls), the ground may be a bit softer (e.g. a short-mown lawn).
Practicing cycling... but safely!
Whether balance bike or bicycle, with training wheels or without... your child needs a safe place to practice!
- The right surface: For the very first meters, it is advisable to choose the right surface. Not too hard and not too soft is just right, so the bicycle rolls, but the child does not get hurt in a fall.
- Familiar environment: Toddlers are busy enough with the bicycle! It helps if they do not also have to concentrate on the environment, but know every stone, every bump, and especially sloping areas.
- Without road traffic: Cars and too many pedestrians distract and get in the way of the beginner!
- Without helmet and gloves: Safety equipment is important, no question! A child's bicycle helmet and mini gloves are indispensable.
Frequently Asked Questions – the FAQs
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions from our customer service:
When can children ride without training wheels?
Many children manage the transition at 4 to 5 years old. The key is individual development, especially a trained sense of balance.
Tip: If your child rides safely, you should not wait too long to make the transition!
Are training wheels still useful today?
They can initially provide security for some children. However, most children today first learn to ride a balance bike and then switch to a bicycle – without training wheels.
Are there training wheels for balance bikes?
There are not, for children's balance bikes you cannot buy training wheels for two reasons: Firstly, the children already have their feet on the ground, they push off and stabilize. Secondly, the wheels would get in the way of the legs during movement. For more stability, there are smaller balance bikes with a double wheel in the front or with four wheels.
Buying additional training wheels
Where can I find training wheels?
Many children's bicycles in the appropriate sizes come with training wheels. However, they are usually easily attached and can be removed without tools. If the bike does not have them, they can also be purchased individually in online shops (toy or bicycle shops).
Tip for buying training wheels: Make sure that the training wheels are height-adjustable or can be screwed at different heights, so they fit any children's bicycle. The mounts generally fit all bicycles, they are simply screwed onto the rear wheel axle.
For which bicycle sizes can training wheels be purchased?
You can buy training wheels for the common bicycle sizes for toddlers and kindergarten children, namely for 12 inches and 14 inches. From 16 inches and 18 inches, training wheels become less common.
How long does it take to learn to ride a bike?
That varies greatly. It depends on the age at which the son or daughter starts and how well their motor skills have already been developed. 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, while others take a few weeks or months. Training wheels add a second learning phase.
Is a balance bike better than training wheels?
In many cases, yes. The balance bike trains balance and makes the later transition significantly easier.
What is more important for a successful start – age or body size?
Neither! Interest and the necessary motor maturity are the most important points.
Conclusion: Cycling without training wheels often works easier than expected!
Many children learn to ride a bike faster today without training wheels because their balance has already been trained on the balance bike. With the right children's bike, some patience, and a large portion of praise, wobbly first meters soon become a safe ride to kindergarten.
And if it takes longer? No problem – no cyclist has ever fallen from the sky!
Read more: Topics around children + bicycles in the Bike Blog
When to start with 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 | Children's cycling gloves
Cover image: Abdulmutalib on Pexels
