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Stop, Look, and Listen: How to Pick the Right Bike for Your Beginning Rider

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That first pedal stroke. That look of pure joy. Teaching a child to ride a bike is one of childhood's great milestones. But before you get to the open road, you need to make the right choice in the garage. Picking the wrong bike can actually slow down the learning process.
Here are the two crucial factors for setting your new cyclist up for success: The Brakes and The Training Wheels.

  1. Ditch the Crutch: Why Training Wheels are NOT Your Friend

Training wheels seem like a simple solution: they provide stability while a child learns to pedal. The problem is, they completely sabotage the most important skill: balance.

  • They Teach Bad Habits: A two-wheeler is balanced by leaning into a turn. Training wheels prevent this natural lean, teaching a child to steer by turning the handlebars—a technique that can lead to crashes when the stabilizers come off.

  • They Delay Balance: Training wheels offer a false sense of stability. The child leans on the wheels instead of using their core and body weight to stay upright. Once those wheels are removed, they have to start from scratch to learn the balance that a bike demands.

  • A Better Way: Start with a balance bike (no pedals!) or simply remove the pedals from a small bike and lower the seat so your child can walk/scoot with their feet flat on the ground. This method lets them master balancing and gliding first. Once they can glide smoothly, adding the pedals is usually a quick, easy transition

  1. Take Control: Why You Must Choose Hand Brakes Over Coaster Brakes

Many smaller children's bikes come equipped with a coaster brake, which is engaged by pedaling backward. While simple, this is a major roadblock for learning proper cycling control.


Hand Brakes

Coaster Brakes

Control

Allow for gradual, controlled slowing and stopping.

Tend to be jerky and can lead to skidding, which is frustrating and scary for a new rider.

Starting

The pedals can be freely rotated backward to get into the perfect "start" position (one pedal high).

Since back-pedaling is braking, it's difficult for a child to position the pedals for a smooth start.

Future Proof

Hand braking is an essential skill on all future, multi-speed bikes. Starting with hand brakes eliminates the need to re-learn how to stop later.

The action of back-pedaling to stop is not transferable to any other type of bicycle.

Balance

Your child can keep their feet planted and their body stable while reaching for the hand levers.

Requires the feet to be on the pedals to brake, limiting the child's ability to take a foot off to correct balance or brace for a stop.

The Bottom Line: Look for a bike with easy-reach hand brake levers specifically designed for small hands. They offer better stopping power and teach the foundational skill your child will need for life on two wheels.

  1. Correct Bike Sizing

A bike that is too big or too heavy will kill confidence faster than anything else.

  • Height, Not Age: Ignore age suggestions. Measure your child's inseam (crotch to floor).

  • The Flat-Foot Test: For a beginner, the seat should be low enough that they can place the balls of both feet flat on the ground while straddling the bike. This ensures they feel secure and can easily put a foot down to stop or correct balance.

  • Don't "Buy Big": Resist the urge to buy a bike they will "grow into." An oversized bike is a difficult, heavy, and potentially dangerous teaching tool. A properly sized bike maximizes control, safety, and fun!

  1. Where to Buy Your New Bike

While there are lots of options online for kids bikes, we highly recommend checking out the great, local bike shops in Roanoke. We visited them all to discuss their bike selections and other programs. Most of our local shops offer some sort of trade in program that allows you to bring your kids bike to them when they outgrow it and receive some credit towards their next size. Additionally, all of the shops are able to work on your bikes to ensure they are functioning properly and keeping your kiddos safe.

By choosing a bike with the right size and the right controls (hand brakes, no training wheels!), you are not just buying a toy—you are investing in a positive, efficient, and joyous learning experience for your new cyclist. Happy riding!

 
 
 

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