Riding my bike

Children need to use both sides of their body together, coordinate arms and legs doing different actions, and process visual information while reacting physically. Good core strength and joint stability are also essential.

Planning movements, sequencing actions, and staying motivated are all part of the learning process. It takes time, patience and lots of practice.

For many children, starting with a balance bike or a standard bike with the pedals removed and the seat lowered can help. This allows them to focus on balance before learning to pedal.

Early skills to practise

Start by helping your child learn how to handle the bike safely.

Putting on a helmet independently: Practise fastening the buckle before putting the helmet on. Begin with a longer strap to avoid pinching the skin, then tighten it before cycling. Using a mirror can help your child locate the buckle.

Pushing the bike in a straight line: Encourage your child to stand on the left side of the bike (the side without the chain) and look ahead to check the route is clear. This helps with road safety and bike control.

Turning corners while walking beside the bike: Guide your child to make wide turns to avoid leaning the bike too much. As they gain confidence, they may be able to lift the back wheel slightly to help with positioning.

Using brakes while walking beside the bike: Teach your child to stop the bike using both brakes in response to a sudden verbal command. This is an important safety skill.

Mounting and scooting

Once your child is confident walking with the bike, move on to mounting and scooting.

Mounting the bike: Practise getting on from the left side, holding both handlebars and using the brakes if needed.

Dismounting: Teach your child to keep both hands on the handlebars and swing their right leg over the back wheel to stand on the left side.

Scooting with pedals removed: Encourage your child to sit on the saddle and take walking steps to scoot in a straight line and around corners. This helps build balance.

Balancing while scooting: Support your child to lift both feet together briefly while scooting. They can gain speed by tapping one foot on the ground. Remind them to look ahead and check the route is clear.

Stopping safely while scooting: Teach your child to use both brakes and place both feet down if they start to lose control. Prompt them with “what do you do if you wobble?

Learning to pedal

Once your child is confident with scooting and balancing, introduce pedalling.

Preparing the pedal position: Help your child choose their preferred foot to push off. Show them how to lift the pedal into position using their toes, making sure the opposite leg doesn’t block movement.

Pushing off with support: Support your child by holding the bike under the saddle and helping them balance. You may also briefly guide the handlebars.

Pedalling with constant support: Encourage your child to stop if they lean too far or lose control. This prevents over-reliance on support.

Pedalling with intermittent support: As your child improves, begin letting go of the saddle briefly. You can support their trunk to help them adjust posture if the bike starts to lean.

Independent cycling

With practice, your child will begin to cycle independently.

Cycling in a straight line without stabilisers: Encourage your child to look ahead and focus their vision to help with balance and steering.

Pushing off and placing the second foot without help: Support them to keep the handlebars straight and build momentum. This takes trial and error and lots of repetition.

Cycling around corners: Start with wide, gentle corners where visibility is good. Keep encouraging your child to look ahead.

Cycling between visual markers: Use cones, poles or lines on the ground to help your child practise steering and control.

Stopping and dismounting safely: Teach your child to stop, dismount to the left side and walk the bike to a safe parking spot.

Advanced cycling skills

Once the basics are mastered, your child can build more advanced skills.

Cycling with awareness of others: Practise avoiding obstacles and stopping suddenly when needed.

Coping with uneven surfaces: Help your child learn to ride over bumpy ground and encourage them to store and clean their bike after use.