Every child is different and understanding when the right time for a child to start learning to ride a bike can be difficult, but most parents get their child started later than necessary. Delaying this learning process can make it more difficult for a child to master the important skills of bike riding, and complicate the process of teaching for the parent.

Kids develop a more advanced understanding of fear as they age and this can heighten their awareness of failure and risk. Children under the age of four don’t process the emotion of fear the way older kids do, so it is less of a barrier to learning to ride a bicycle. Older kids have more thoughts running through their heads. They are worried about disappointing their parents or not measuring up to their peers. They may simply fear that they won’t be able to learn to ride.

Kids ages 2-4 have all the motor skills required to ride a bike. In fact, they are at the perfect development stage to learn how to ride a bicycle, but there are a few factors that may prevent parents from starting to teach their child bike riding. Heading out to your local toy store and purchasing the latest princess or superhero bike for your girl or boy is probably just going to disappoint anyone under the age of five. Even the smallest pedal bike weighs in at over 20 lbs. Think about how hard it would be for you to ride a bike that weighed as much as you do.

When a child is ready to ride, the best method is to use a balance bike. These bicycles, also known as run bikes or walking bikes are designed for toddlers and preschool age children. The bikes can weigh as little as 6 lbs and have no pedals, sprockets or chains. The innovative design emphasizes learning balance and steering first. Kids just propel themselves with their feet instead of pedaling, simplifying the process.

Some balance bikes have a seat height of 11 inches, perfect for kids as young as 18 months. While parents may be tempted to get their toddler a tricycle for their second birthday, a trike won’t teach balance and may actually slow a child’s progress in mastering balance and learning to ride a bike.

Parents who teach their child to ride on a balance bike will discover that the child will have an almost immediate transition to a pedal bike without ever using training wheels. They shouldn’t be surprised; however, if the youngsters favor their balance bike over the pedal bike initially. Since the balance bike is lightweight and goes anywhere, kids often find it difficult to give up.

The time is now to get started teaching your child to ride a bike if they’re past the age of two. Balance bikes can teach kids the all-important skill of balance and steering and are safer than pedal bikes since they are so light, low to the ground and don’t wobble like bikes with training wheels.

A balance bike offers parents a little piece of mind. They won’t need to constantly hang on to their child’s seat trying to keep them from falling. Kids who learn on a balance bike never need training wheels and will learn to ride a bicycle before most of their friends.

Balance bikes are an amazing way to teach a child to ride a bicycle that they will love. Check out this balance bike size guide to see which balance bike is right for your child.