how do I teach a 5 year old to ride a bike with no training wheels?

Question

she has had the training wheels up until now

Answer 1

We just did this last week & I was amazed at how quickly my 5 year old caught on! After he was two-wheeling for about 1/2 hour, his 4 year old brother wanted his training wheels off too!

My advice to you: First of all, your daughter's got to want to do it. If you push her into it, it won't happen. Second of all, it'll help a lot if her feet can touch the ground - kids feel more secure knowing they can catch themselves...when if they feel like they are falling.

As far as holding on to the seat goes - my sons were 50-50 on that. The 5 year old wanted me to hold on just long enough for him to get going & his 4 year old brother didn't want me to hold on at all. When I tried holding his seat, he freaked out whenever I let him go. He just wanted me to show him how to get started pushing off with his stronger foot & he was on his way. When he started getting frustrated, his 5 year old brother (the 30 minute veteran that he was) kept telling him, "It's all about the pedaling, Alex. As long as you keep pedaling, you won't fall over!"
I guess that advice made sense, because in a few minutes, he was riding like a pro, too.

Now I can't get them off of their bikes!!! Good luck - I hope she catches on quickly!

Answer 2

Course for some of us moms we just went out and spent a few bucks at a regular bike shop to buy the training wheels and then gradually removed them one at a time. Less boo boos and bandages. Then if you don't have any more kids, either sell them to a friend or just give them to them works as well:)...

Answer 3

My son is three and he just took off.Scared me to death.There are three 5 year olds in my neighbor hood who cant ride without training wheels.I think its because there smarter than 3 year old.They know it will hurt.My best advice is elbow and knee pads.And start them on a down hill,and make sure you tell them to look strait a head and petal petal and dont stop.Good luck!Im going to help with the other kids around here.So sent luck my way too

Answer 4

stand in front with the front wheel between your legs have your child set on the bike ... as if he/she where riding now put your hands over theirs and move the bike slowly from side to side so they get use to the feel of the balence and how to feel comfortable leaning and keeping balence...when they can do this without freaking out let them petal and you walk/jog along side with your hand on the back of the seat in case they goof... as they get better and faster start letting go. if they fall don't baby them ..do protect them with a helmet and pads... and cheer them on!!!

Answer 5

You set them on the bike and hold the seat as they pedal and then walk behind them as they pedal along and then whenever you feel like they can ride by themselves then release them. Because when you are holding on to them they are very dependent on you holding them up, this is why you release them when they get their balance correct and they will become more confident.

Answer 6

you have to start with training wheels then slowly ween him/her off of them. S/he didn't go from drinking a bottle to eating steak! I was taught with training wheels, then my mom took off 1, then after a while she began getting a lot of exercise running along side me!

Answer 7

My guys learned on a slight decline (on dirt driveway), This helps them learn balance, run with her until you feel her balance then let go. Make sure you teach her how to fall (and the helment, knee and elbow pads help!)

Answer 8

PUT HELMET AND KNEE PADS AND ELBOW PADS ON: TAKE IT SLOW: hold onto the back of the seat and balance for them and let them ride and dont let go.

Answer 9

first you hold on to the back-of the bike and tell the kid u will hang on the kid starts to petal.get 2feet let go and will ride by self

Answer 10

Put him on, and let him go... It takes lots of patience, and lots of bandaids. Be sure to encourage him when things don't go so smoothly.