Learn to ride a bike
Bicycle learning sessions require some pedagogy and patience from parents. For a child, learning to ride two wheels is an important milestone in his or her life. Who doesn’t remember the pride we feel when mom or dad lets go of the saddle of the bike or the handlebars and our first pedal strokes take us a few meters further.
But before we get to that crucial stage of riding without stabilizing wheels, there is a whole learning process to go through. And it starts by riding with stabilizers for children’s bikes.

What are bike stabilizer wheels used for?
Children’s bike stabilizers are used to support the bike. Indeed, to ride a bike, a young child needs to feel secure while learning the gestures that will help him or her find balance naturally. To do this, installing small wheels on the frame of a small bicycle not only helps reassure the child, but also prevents him from falling and scaring himself.

How to choose bike stabilizers?
Stabilizer wheels for small bicycles have not evolved for more than 30 years. However, a Luxembourg start up company has developed a revolutionary model of stabilizers to help children learn to ride a bike safely. Contrary to classic “small wheels”, Baswil stabilizers are rather flexible. The advantage for the child is that he can make natural gestures that will lead him to instinctively find his balance. Baswil stabilizer wheels adapt to the inclination of the bike in curves while ensuring stability. At no time is the child constrained by the small wheel system.

How to mount stabilizers on a bike?
Mounting bicycle stabilizers is a relatively simple step. It requires few tools and do-it-yourself skills.
– Adjusting the height of the stabilizers in relation to the bike frame
– Adjust the mounting blade on the bike fork to adjust the stabilizers to the ground
– Tighten the bolts

As of 18 months, a young child can be taken for a ride on a tricycle. This bike for babies and toddlers is often equipped with a cane to make the work easier for the adult.
Around the age of 2 years, a child can start pedaling. The first sensations related to balance are felt. Many children go through the “draisienne”, a bike without pedals for juniors.
As time goes by, the child develops his coordination. To facilitate the learning of the bike, it is important to adjust the saddle to the child’s height. His feet should be flat on the ground. It is also possible to start learning balance and coordination with a handlebar driver. This bike without wheels helps to learn balance.

From the age of 4 years old, a child can learn to ride a bike with stabilizers. It will take some time for the child to pedal properly. Stay by his side at first to reassure him. From the second session, you can organize a circuit to learn to ride a bike and automate the pedaling.

We advise you to choose a false flat terrain to help the child learn and encourage him to push on the pedals. Avoid heavily trafficked bike paths for the first few lessons. Create a simple course using blocks placed 5 meters apart. Ask the young cyclist to ride in a straight line along the studs, then turn around and come back to you in a straight line. Once you have mastered this exercise, you can begin to teach him or her how to make turns. Ask the rider to follow you on his bike and show him the course as you pass between the blocks.

Once you’ve mastered the straight line and turns, you can invite him to pedal uphill, again to help him force the pedals. Next, teach them how to brake, starting by asking them to stop immediately on your signal. Do the exercise on flat ground and then on a gentle slope. You can then leave the asphalt and bike lanes to test your child’s cycling in the mud.

The child will gain confidence in his or her abilities as the workout progresses. For some, learning to ride a bike is a formality, for other children it may take several weeks or even months. It is useless to force a child who is afraid of creating a blockage and refuses to get back in the saddle. That’s why it’s important to choose soft stabilizers that allow a more natural position on the bike.
To find out if it’s time to ride a bike without the small wheels, ask the child if he or she would like to try it without the small stabilizer wheels. If he agrees, remove them in front of him and value his courage.
Now it’s time to put the stabilizer wheels away in the garage and let your young cyclist ride his mountain bike, road bike, city bike or two-wheeled BMX! However, you will have to wait a little longer before taking long rides.

Don’t panic if your child falls off the bike! It will happen more than once. Instead, comfort him/her with encouragement.

How do I choose my child’s bike?
You never forget your first bike! Choose a bike model with a stand and a handlebar brake system. If you plan to ride in the mud and woods, a bike with suspension might be useful. But a piece of advice, make a comparison, because these bikes are often more expensive. The bell and the bike basket are accessories, but highly appreciated by children. Ask a salesman to advise you on the size of the bike. A bike that is too small requires more effort when pedaling. Most saddles are adjustable. It doesn’t matter if it’s a child’s bike or a boy’s bike, let the child choose.
It is also useless to invest in an electrically assisted bike as long as your child does not take very long rides. However, now is the time to introduce your child to a few essential notions of the Highway Code. In particular, how to ride on a bike path, the importance of bike helmets, the notion of green and red lights, the importance of riding on the right side of the road…