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When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 19th 03, 03:09 AM
R. Daniels
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

My tandem partner's grand-daughter is three years old. Is it better to
ride a tricycle or a bike with training wheels until the child is
ready to tackle a two wheeler? When is the best time to teach a child
to balance?

Robert Daniels

  #2  
Old August 19th 03, 04:36 AM
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

Robert Daniels writes:

Is it better to ride a tricycle or a bike with training wheels until
the child is ready to tackle a two wheeler? When is the best time to
teach a child to balance?


Riding a tricycle is a special skill if the child is assertive and
wants to ride fast. It's a good introduction to vehicle dynamics.
Bicycling has a different control mode because it requires balance,
something only the fast tricyclists notice as they speed around
corners leaning into the turn.

At about three and then some, children are probably ready for a
bicycle if they are tall enough. Super small bicycles are hard to
balance because they have so little tip-over moment. Whatever you do,
don't make an unstable tricycle of a bicycle. When the time is right,
take a couple of ten minute outings with the child on the bicycle.
Hold the bicycle from the saddle to help balance and don't let the
child know when and if you let go.

Jobst Brandt

Palo Alto CA
  #3  
Old August 19th 03, 03:48 PM
EZ
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

I taught my daughter ride a "two wheeler" at six. Shortly thereafter,
my son managed it at four. I got lots of exercise running around the
street in front of the house holding the back of the seat. Kids can do
more than most parents think. It generally only takes patience and a
lttle help. Come to think of it, I respond pretty well to patience and
a little help too.
  #4  
Old August 19th 03, 06:54 PM
one of the six billion
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

I've seen 3 1/2 yr olds ride a bike without training wheels. Most usually
kids learn between 4 and 7. A really good way to teach a child to balance
on a bike is to take the pedals off and lower the seat so that both feet
can touch flat on the ground. Let them scoot around using their feet on
the ground.


"R. Daniels" wrote in message
news
My tandem partner's grand-daughter is three years old. Is it better to
ride a tricycle or a bike with training wheels until the child is
ready to tackle a two wheeler? When is the best time to teach a child
to balance?

Robert Daniels



  #5  
Old August 20th 03, 02:56 AM
Chuck Anderson
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

one of the six billion wrote:

I've seen 3 1/2 yr olds ride a bike without training wheels. Most usually
kids learn between 4 and 7. A really good way to teach a child to balance
on a bike is to take the pedals off and lower the seat so that both feet
can touch flat on the ground. Let them scoot around using their feet on
the ground.


"R. Daniels" wrote in message
news

My tandem partner's grand-daughter is three years old. Is it better to
ride a tricycle or a bike with training wheels until the child is
ready to tackle a two wheeler? When is the best time to teach a child
to balance?

Robert Daniels



I have heard this before, but never hear anyway attest to its effectiveness.

Does it really work?

--
*****************************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://www.CycleTourist.com
Integrity is obvious.
The lack of it is common.
*****************************

  #6  
Old August 20th 03, 03:09 AM
Peter
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Default When is the best time to teach a child to ride a two wheeler

Chuck Anderson wrote:
one of the six billion wrote:

I've seen 3 1/2 yr olds ride a bike without training wheels. Most
usually
kids learn between 4 and 7. A really good way to teach a child to
balance
on a bike is to take the pedals off and lower the seat so that both feet
can touch flat on the ground. Let them scoot around using their feet on
the ground.


I have heard this before, but never hear anyway attest to its
effectiveness.

Does it really work?


It's what I did to teach our daughter when she turned 4. Took her and the
bike to our workplace parking lot on a weekend (big expanse of pavement
with very gently slope and no traffic), took the pedals off and lowered the
seat so she could coast and scoot around without fear of falling. After
less than an hour I put the pedals back on and she was off and riding. No
falls, no scrapes, and no need to run alongside.

If only teaching her to drive had gone as smoothly.

 




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