HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILD TO RIDE

 

1. Adjust the bike properly to fit the child! Saddle height is the most critical adjustment, followed by handlebar height. Set the saddle height so your child’s feet are flat on the ground and both knees have a slight bend in them are slightly bent when seated. A good starting point guideline is 1” less than the child’s inseam. Set the handlebar height with respect to reference to the saddle. For example, if the saddle is at its lowest setting, set the handlebar also to its corresponding lowest setting, etc. Kids grow quickly. Be sure to adjust the bike every couple of months.

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2. Be a Cheerleader, Not a Coach. Children will instinctively throw a leg over their Strider bike and want to go. Encourage them to do this and give praise to them praise for any amount of time they spend on the Strider.

 

3. Let the Child Set the Pace. Some kids jump on the bike and go, go, go. Other kids are more cautious; some may not even sit on the seat at first. This is OK! Their security is in their feet at this point, and we want them to feel secure. As they get comfortable walking around with the bike between their legs and working the handlebar, they will start to ‘trust’ the saddle. Some kids get to this point within minutes, others may take weeks but everyone all will get there eventually get there. Striding is attained achieved when they transition from 100% of their trust in their feet to 100% of their trust in the saddle (feet off the ground and balancing). Let them transition at their own pace... they’ll be striding along with feet up on the footrests before you know it!

 
4. Support the child - NOT the bike! We instinctively want to help our child by holding onto the bike to keep it from tipping; don’t do this. Your child must be allowed to feel the bike tip sideways to be able to learn how to keep it from tipping. If you support the bike when it starts to tips, your child may mistakenly think that the most stable place position is when the bike is tipped over to the side. If your child needs assurance, you may want to walk next beside them and hang onto the back of their shirt so that they can feel safe.