Comment by TeMPOraL

Comment by TeMPOraL 4 days ago

You mean like those pedal-free started bicycles marketed at daycare/kindergarten age kids?

The ones none of my kids could ever figure out how to ride? Nor would I expect to, because they ask you to learn too many things at the same time? The ones that have no stable position other than lying on their side?

I'll consider trying this for the "training wheels off" period, so thanks for the tip. At the same time, I don't know who figured it's a good idea to push these contraptions as starter bikes.

EDIT: balance bikes, they're called. Maybe the ability to use them is determined by a gene that isn't present in my lineage, or something.

david-gpu 4 days ago

Balance bikes work great for many kids. The seat needs to be low enough that the child can put both feet on the ground at the same time with the legs slightly bent.

Reply View 1 reply

TeMPOraL 3 days ago

I'll recheck how low did I set up the seat on the bike my kids tried; IIRC it was close to lowest position, but maybe the minimum was itself too high? Anyway, for my kids, that bike was just a pure exercise in frustration that didn't lead anywhere.
The reverse three-wheel Mini Micro scooter fared much better, though. Not the same as balancing a bike, but the kids were able to gradually pick up on how to push off the ground with their legs - something that, more than balance, turned out to be the hurdle with the balance bikes.
Thinking about it much more now, and going off memory, they had no problems with those silly ride-on cars that are like balance bikes, except with no balance and more plastic. Now I'm not sure what's going on, why none of them could figure out they have to actually sit and push off when on the balance bike.

Reply View | 0 replies