What is a balance bike? What do they do? Who buys them? These are all valid questions and they will be answered in due time. The balance bike is becoming much more popular nowadays simply because it is better than standard bikes with training wheels/stabilisers. The concept behind them is totally different and we will give you some basic information about the advantages of buying your child one of these bikes.
What differentiates a bicycle without pedals from a normal bicycle?
The simple fact of the matter is that a bike without pedals is a normal bike that has no pedals. Yes, that’s right… no pedals. No additional mess. All it has is two big wheels and footrests (at least the good ones have them, you’ll find people selling them without footrests and that’s a big no-no). This has the effect of teaching a child to balance much better and much faster than with a traditional bike.
What are the advantages of a bicycle without pedals?
The advantages you ask for? Well, that’s just that the child learns how to control a bike, balance on a bike before they have to think about the pedals. This makes their first normal bike ride a joy as they have an instinctive understanding of how to balance and control a bike. It also helps in the long run by working on your coordination. Yet another benefit is that it helps boost self-confidence. A child who has trouble using a normal stabilizer bike will have very little difficulty with this type of bike and this can help boost her self esteem…and you really can’t put a price on that.
What type of balance bike should I look for?
There are many types of balance bikes on the market right now. The wooden ones, the steel ones, the ones with footrests and the ones without (bad idea). Most people generally recommend a bike made of steel as they last longer and can be reused to help all your kids have fun on a bike sooner than they could with a stabilizer bike. Those without footrests are uncomfortable for children and pose a danger when they are riding. They need to get their legs in and without footrests, there is a chance that their feet will touch the ground and cause them to slip and fall. While there are some choices when it comes to materials, never buy one of these types of bikes without making sure it has footpegs.
The fact is that these bikes are the way of the future and they are becoming more and more common in playgrounds all over the world. Let your child join in the fun and buy him a bike without pedals.
