Balance Bikes —The Innovative Way to Teach Kids How to Ride a Bicycle

If you've never heard of Balance Bikes, allow us to shed some light on these two-wheeled wonders. Balance bikes are the innovative way to teach kids how to ride a bicycle. Their aim is to put the focus on balance by providing toddlers as young as 18-months the confidence and independence to ride on two wheels without the use of training wheels. These bikes achieve this goal with their lightweight and low-to-the-ground design that allow children to easily sit, glide, coast, run or walk. Without the distraction or complications of pedals, learning to balance and steer is a breeze. Boys and girls will enjoy propelling themselves along with their feet as they gain a sense of balance that will prepare them for the switch to bicycles with pedals.

While training wheels are supposed to offer a sense of balance while also allowing a safe fallback if the child starts to tip, the truth is, these additional wheels only serve as a crutch that hinders the confidence little ones need to ride free. Training wheels tend to be misleading and foster a false sense of security. An inability to balance prevents a smooth transition from training wheels to two wheels, but balance bikes eliminate that challenge and allow children to feel comfortable and confident on two wheels right off the bat.

The following manufacturers feature award-winning balance bikes that will help your children develop the skills needed to ride a traditional bicycle in no time. 

FirstBIKE

FirstBIKE balance bikes are constructed of high-quality materials for durability that grows with your child until he or she is ready for a bike with pedals. Their great maneuverability is perfect for long distances without leaving kids feeling worn out. With a range of styles to choose from, FirstBIKE offers a design suitable for different terrains and needs. Kids can stop either with their feet or with the hand-brake that comes standard on most models. Ideal for kids 2-5 years of age, each bike comes in a fun and colorful design that is quick and easy to assemble.

Kinderfeets

Children will love to exercise their creative genius with this wooden pushbike. The reusable chalkboard finish allows kids to personalize their bike over and over again. Parents will love that the seat cover is removable and washer friendly. The foot pegs provide a place for kids to keep their feet while cruising. With an adjustable seat height, this bike is ready to grow with your child until he or she is ready for a pedal-powered bike. Handmade from birchwood, this eco-friendly bike features EVA airless and biodegradable tires. You can feel good about your purchase knowing Kinderfeets plants a tree for every bike they sell.

Glide Bikes

These balance bikes have a patented slow-speed geometry allowing children to feel very much at ease as they experiment with balance. Glide Bikes has several models to choose from, ranging for kids from the age of 18 months old all the way up to adulthood. The lightweight aluminum alloy frame comes in a wide array of metallic colors and each bike is equipped with a handbrake. What sets Glide Bikes apart from the rest is that the foot pegs are removable and the bikes have a kickstand, so the bike can be kept in an upright position rather than being thrown on the ground when not in use.

At A Kid Place you will find a large selection of balance bikes. Browse our inventory and discover the bike that is just right for your child. We have a range of styles and designs to meet your child's abilities and age. Our stock is hand selected for quality and safety, so you can shop with confidence that you are buying only the best for your family.

Glide Bikes Balance Bikes for Building Confidence in Kids

There are developmental milestones and there are cultural milestones for children. Developmental milestones are those that are naturally achieved no matter the culture and their significance is acknowledged universally: sitting up, first words, and first steps are among these milestones. Then there are those whose significance is culturally specific: dancing in their first recital, the first time they catch a football, and learning how to ride a bicycle. These milestones are present in a variety of cultures but they are not universal, and we tend to attach a great deal of sentimentality to them.

For me, the most significant of these childhood milestones was learning how to ride a bike. The emotions I connect with this event in my life are complex as I struggled to master this skill. I was the last among my friends to learn; this served as a source of shame for me. As my friends would speed off on their Schwinns, no training wheels in sight, I was left behind on my big wheel.

As an adult, I can look back on this and find it humorous, the image of my sad, child self, sitting on my big wheel, watching my friends disappear into the distance. But the emotions I felt are still very real to me. Thankfully, today, there are other options available, allowing us to spare our kids such an experience.

 

One of the most safest and fun options is that of a balance bike. Balance bikes allow children to master the skills of balancing and steering a bicycle before they incorporate the action of pedaling. By minimizing the amount of actions a child must master at one time, kids are less likely to be overwhelmed by the learning process. Instead of propelling the bike via a pedal, gear, and chain system, the bike is moved forward in a simple, gliding motion propelled by walking and pushes—eventually continuing on via weight and gravity. Unlike traditional bicycles, these bikes can balance at a low speed, which helps the budding biker feel confident while learning.

There are many options available today from a variety of manufacturers. One of our favorites is by the company Glide Bikes. While many balance bikes are made from wood, Glide Bikes balance bikes are made from lightweight, lead-free metal, making them durable and manageable for even the smallest boys and girls. Both the seat and the handlebars adjust, making the bike last as your children grow. The company has patented its slow speed geometry, which allows the bike to be balanced at speeds as low as 1.5 mph. Each bike comes with two features which are pretty unique in the world of balance bikes: kickstands and foot pegs. The foot pegs can be rotated out of the way or completely removed. Finally, each bike is covered by a lifetime warranty, so you never need to worry about the security of your purchase.

Glide Bikes offers several options to choose from. Their smallest bike, suited for the youngest of riders, is the Ezee Glider. This model is appropriate for riders as young as 18 months and can be adjusted to allow use up to 5 years of age. It offers all of the features present in the larger Glide Bikes’ models, such as removable foot pegs and adjustable handle bars. Out of the balance bikes available on the market, this one is among the slowest with its ability to balance at 1.5 MPH. It also comes with an easy to operate hand brake.

Glide Bikes Ezee Glider in Black

The next step up in the Glide Bikes line is the Mini Glider. This bike is best for children between 2 and 5 years of age. As with the Ezee Glider, the Mini Glider is able to balance at speeds as low as 1.5 MPH and offers all of the features standard to Glide Bikes. This bike is slightly larger than the Ezee Glider.

Glide Bikes Mini Glider in Blue

The largest of the Glide Bike line is the Go Glider. At 16”, this bike is suitable for riders aged 5-10 years and can support a rider weighing up to 125 pounds. This bike can balance at speeds as low as 1.5 MPH but it is also perfectly safe at higher speeds, depending on the comfort of the rider. It is also an excellent way to help a child who is learning to ride later than his or her peers build confidence.  It comes with all standard Glide Bikes features.

Glide Bikes Go Glider in Pink

If you are looking for a way to introduce your little boy or girl to the skills required to ride a bike, Glide Bikes balance bikes are the way to go. With the options available, you are sure to find one that works for your little one.

Smart Gear Balance Bikes Teach Balance the Right Way

Learning to ride a bike is tough, especially when you’re small. Most parents assume that starting their kids out with training wheels is the way to go, but for most kids that may not be the best way. A balance bike can offer an alternative to training wheels that readies children for the challenges (and fun) that comes with riding a bike.

What is a Balance Bike?

Smart Gear Balance Bikes are much like regular bikes, but with one key difference – there are no pedals! This gives toddlers a chance to work on their balance without worrying about the coordination required to pedal. To begin with, boys and girls start out by keeping their feet on the ground and walking the bike to where they want to go. Once they feel comfortable with this, they can run to build up speed and scoot along. Finally, they can cruise along on two wheels, perfectly balanced and ready for a pedal bike.

Why Not Training Wheels?

Training wheels do a great job of keeping kids upright, but they don’t do much to help build a child’s sense of balance. A child who depends on training wheels takes much longer to learn how to balance because they’re used to the wheels doing the work. However, with a Smart Gear Balance Bike, kids can focus on balancing, which makes their transition to a standard bike go much more smoothly.

Made for Comfort and Safety

All Smart Gear Balance Bikes are made from eco-friendly materials. Their birch-wood construction also includes comfortable handgrips, spoke-less wheels, and comfortable seats. A built-in handle is included in the body of the bike, which makes carrying a breeze. Most models have an adjustable seat, which lets kids continue to use the bike as they grow. Finally, the handlebars have a limited turning radius, which helps keep kids from jackknifing.

A Design for Any Kid

What fun would a bike be if it didn’t take a child’s unique personality into consideration? Smart Gear Balance Bikes come in a variety of paints and finishes that are sure to delight any child. For a simple, frills-free bike, the Classic is the way to go. Sky Rider is another simple bike that is suitable for any rider. On the other hand, the Chopper or flame bikes have bold detailing that really stands out. The Floral Hearts, Bubbleicious, and Spring Fever models are sure to please any young girl. Finally, the Police Bike will let everyone in the neighborhood know who’s in charge. No matter what your child’s preferences, there’s a bike that’s perfect for their unique tastes.

You want to give your child all the support they need as they grow. Smart Gear Balance Bikes are the perfect way to help your kids learn the skills they’ll need to ride a bike. They’re also a great way to get outside and have some good, active fun. These beautiful, eco-friendly bikes are a great addition to any child’s collection of outdoor toys.