Michael Natividad eliminated his training wheels at the age of 7 or 8, as a consequence of leaning on them while executing a turn.
His young daughter, aged only 3, swiftly pedaled away on her diminutive bicycle, leaving him with a sense of having missed out on a precious moment.
Loralani, now four years old, bypassed using training wheels and instead began riding a balance bike when she was just two years old.
Balance bikes, which closely resemble pedal-less miniature bicycles, are designed with an adjustable seat that can be easily lowered, enabling children to firmly plant their feet on the ground. Additionally, select models are thoughtfully equipped with detachable pedals, facilitating a smooth transition to their first traditional bicycle when they are ready.
As companies sell balance bikes for children as young as 8 months old, the question arises: when should kids learn to ride a bike? Age is not the only factor to consider.
According to Professor Annie Pezalla from Macalester College, she found the 8-month milestone unexpected but acknowledged the rationale behind it. This is due to the notable development of the cerebellum, responsible for coordination, typically occurring between 6 and 8 months.
Pezalla suggested exercising caution and prioritizing children's developmental milestones rather than fixating on a specific age.
What about training wheels?
Training wheels have seen a decline in popularity because they do not effectively foster the body's proprioceptive sense, which refers to spatial awareness. As a result, children may struggle with relearning the skill of balancing once the training wheels are taken off.
Research indicates that children who begin with balance bikes tend to acquire the ability to ride conventional bikes at an earlier age and in a shorter span of time when compared to those relying on training wheels. This advantage has been consistently observed in various studies, as stated by Professor Cristiana Mercê from Santarém Polytechnic University in Portugal.
Training wheel bicycles are inappropriate for young children due to their relatively large size. In contrast, balance bikes facilitate the discovery and mastery of various motor skills that training wheels fail to provide. These skills include the ability to use both feet, the utilization of a single foot, and the experience of gliding effortlessly without employing any leg movement.
When should a child switch to a pedal bike?
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that kids learn to ride bikes between 4 and 7 years old at their own pace. They also caution against buying a bigger bike for children to grow into.
However, the guidance has not been updated since 2011, which predates the surge in popularity of balance bikes in subsequent years.
According to Pezalla, children will likely transition to a pedal bike naturally with little guidance. They start by straddling and walking with the balance bike, then progress to sitting and walking, and eventually running, sitting, and gliding.
Pezalla said the gap between gliding and pedaling is small, and she regrets not teaching her twin boys to ride balance bikes. Early motor skill development has multiple advantages beyond transportation.