From when balance bike? The big guide for the perfect start into cycling

From when can a child ride a balance bike? - A question that parents Google about as often as "How do I get mud out of children's pants?"

The bad news: There is no fixed date. The good news: There are clear guidelines that tell you when your child is ready. You will find them marked here in this article: 🟡 . 

In this guide you will learn

• From what age a balance bike is sensible
• How to recognize if your child is big enough for a balance bike
  
• We also have parent tips for you that help you to delay your child a little if they want but still need to grow a bit. 
• Additionally, you will learn how to transition to a bicycle without stress, tears, and the training wheels discussion at the breakfast table.
  

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From when does which balance bike/vehicle fit?

From when can a child ride a balance bike and what is sensible before and after? Here is the guidance according to the child's age. Please note: Always follow the development and interest of your child! If they are not ready or are early, this is an important criterion.

From 1 year: Ride-on cars, tricycles & similar vehicles

If a child can sit securely, the first small vehicles are a lot of fun. At this point, your child needs a bit more stability than a balance bike with two wheels can offer. Now ride-on cars, tricycles, or low balance bikes with three or four wheels are suitable. The children remain stable and close to the ground, which means less risk of accidents.

Tip: If your child already wants to ride but cannot walk securely yet, you can offer them these vehicles. They are more sensible now than a balance bike.

🟡 Guideline 1: Children like to start around their first birthday with a first vehicle. Being able to sit securely is the prerequisite.

Important: The push bar!

Vehicles for toddlers today have an important accessory: The push bar. It is important for two reasons:

1. Toddlers aged 1 to 2 years do not have much leg strength yet, and vehicles for this age are not really efficient ➽ if your child cannot go any further, you can push and help them. 
2. Small children cannot assess their environment securely enough ➽ you can steer where your child ends up. 

From 2 to 4 years: The best age for a balance bike

Most children start with the balance bike at the age of 2 to 3 years . Motorically and cognitively, they are then able to steer and balance the balance bike, and they also recognize dangers and obstacles. This is important because the push bar is not used here.

More important than age are these factors:

• The child can walk safely and run short distances
• Balance and coordination are sufficiently trained
• They enjoy moving and want to "ride by themselves"
• They have enough strength to lift the balance bike

🎂 The balance bike is a sensible gift for the 2nd birthday.

🟡 The rule of thumb: If a child can run safely, they are (regardless of age) ready for a balance bike.

From 4 to 5 years: Time for the first bicycle!

At this age, both work – balance bike or bicycle. Many children transition directly from the balance bike to a bicycle – and they don't need training wheels. Since balance and coordination are already well trained, they only need a few meters of practice path, then they master pedaling as well. 

Parent tip: You should now practice braking specifically again because your child can no longer just stop with their feet – the pedals are in the way! 

 

Overview: When does the balance bike or bicycle fit

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🟡 How do you know when your child is ready for a balance bike?

Here is the checklist that tells you when your child can ride a balance bike:

• They walk safely and steadily 
• They can run a few steps
• They can balance on hand (e.g., on a wall)
• They show interest in wheels ("Want too!")
• They respond appropriately to obstacles and dangers
• They listen to prompts like "Stop!" or "stay put!" (at least most of the time 😉)
• The speed and the small distance to the parents do not scare him.
  

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Every beginning is ... easy. This is how it works with the balance bike

↪Finding the right balance bike and tips for starting

Finding the right balance bike

Checklist checked off? Then you still need the right balance bike! Measure the child's body height and inner leg length for this. Balance bikes usually indicate which size the model fits. With children's balance bikes, a fine adjustment is always possible, so you can perfectly adjust the bike to your child. 

Tip: Children ride more safely on a slightly smaller bike than on a model that is too large. You can find all the information about buying the right balance bike at the balance bikes in the BMO Online Shop.

The safe start with the balance bike

Absolutely essential at the start: Helmet, Gloves and knee pads. Closed shoes protect the toes.

Beginners manage better with a slightly smaller balance bike .

Grass or asphalt? Pushing off is harder on grass, but the child falls softly. Just right for the first meters (and falls).

Please avoid: Pedestrians, dogs, and cars – children need some space and no obstacles for their first attempts.

Flat or downhill? There are two theories here: If the first practice route is slightly (really slightly!) downhill, the balance bike picks up speed more easily – but it also gets fast. Pushing off with the feet is initially not needed, and the speed helps with stabilization. If the route is flat, children need strength to provide the necessary momentum themselves. It starts a bit slower. Which is better? Just try it out!

Learning to ride a balance bike works best casually, while playing, running, and discovering.

❌ Common mistakes at the beginning: 

• balance bike too big… “will grow into it” makes starting harder!
• model too heavy
• too much going on the way – this brings danger and distraction
• Exerting pressure, “Just try it” and “all the others are already riding” spoils the fun!

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When does the bicycle come after the balance bike?

The next step is due: The balance bike is getting boring and it's also slowly getting too small. The good news: The hardest part – developing balance – has already been accomplished. Therefore, children who can already ride a balance bike usually do not need training wheels on their first bicycle. 

🟡 This is how you recognize if your child can switch from a balance bike to pedals: 

• Balancing the balance bike works “like in sleep”.
• Little girls and boys let themselves roll a bit – they lift their feet when the balance bike has enough momentum. And they do not fall over.
• They can stop in time before an obstacle.
• The balance bike is simply too small.
• Bicycles are usually a bit heavier – and your child is now strong enough to set up the bicycle.
• The necessary self-confidence is present.

🟡 Age recommendation: At about 3 ½ years to 5 years small balance bike riders can switch to a bicycle.

 

When is it time to switch from the balance bike to the bicycle? If you have some patience, you save yourself the pushing and the training wheels! Image Yan Krukau

How to make the transition successful 

• Wait until your child gives the impulse themselves – they no longer want to ride a balance bike (“The balance bike is for babies…”)
• “Bicycle or balance bike” is not a final decision. Many children like to switch back and forth.
• Practice braking! On the balance bike, a lot of braking is done with the feet. This no longer works on the bicycle.
• As with starting on the balance bike, a soft surface and a quiet corner to practice help now.
• Join the bike tour or to kindergarten… better not set a route yet, because that creates pressure.
  

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When to start with the balance bike – in 3 sentences:

🟡 When is a balance bike useful? Usually from 2 to 3 years (earliest point 18 months)

🟡 Starting point for the start: What matters is not the age, but the motor development: a bit of running.

🟡 When does a balance bike fit? Not the age, but the body size (inside leg length) determines whether (and which) balance bike fits. The feet must reach the ground.

 

Balance bikes & children's bicycles at Bike Mailorder

Balance bikes | Balance bikes from 1 year | Balance bikes from 2 years | Balance bikes from 3 years | Children bikes

Also in the Bike Blog: Help with buying the right children's helmet – What helmet size do children need?

Cover image: Tatiana Syrikova on Pexels