Learning how to ride a bicycle is a major milestone of most people’s childhood. Once a child becomes capable of riding a cycle for kids, they are gifted with a fun new way of staying physically active. Additionally, cycling is a great way to get around as it is good for the environment. A modern bicycle with gears can effortlessly tread through inclining roads, rough terrains, and city traffic.
For parents, it is not always an easy task to teach their kids how to ride a bicycle. While some children battle with the fear of falling, others take a longer time to balance a bicycle. Nevertheless, there are some easy steps that you can follow in order to bestow your child the ability to ride a bike. To find out what they are, read on.
Choose the Right Bicycle
The first step to getting your child through the significant process of learning how to ride a bicycle is choosing the right bicycle for them. When you are purchasing a cycle for kids online, you will find that there is a wide gamut of bicycles available in the market. These include bicycles with training wheels, bicycles with gears, and girls’ bicycles, to name a few. You should purchase a bicycle that has the right size of wheels – ideally 14 or 16 inches.
Look for kid-friendly cycle models
When your child sits on the bicycle seat, their feet should reach the ground with straight legs. It is advisable to opt for a lightweight bike, as it will need less leg power to propel forward. Additionally, look for models that stop by pedalling backward, as it becomes easier for children to bring the bicycle to a halt. Secondly, there are bicycles specifically designed depending on age groups.
Purchasing the right model for your child’s age group will ensure maximum safety and comfort for your little one. Furthermore, you should choose a bicycle with a sturdy build quality, ergonomic design, and comfort for the rider. This will ensure that your child gets the perfect support that will help them learn the fundamentals of riding a bike.
To choose the perfect cycle for kids, you can head over to the Bajaj Mall and explore a wide assortment of bicycles from a plethora of brands. Additionally, you can use the feature filters to narrow down your options based on criteria such as age group, bicycle type, brake type, gear type, brand, price, and colour, amongst others. You can also avail of exciting offers and discounts to get the best deals on your child’s favourite bicycle.
Start Small
For young children, it is advisable to purchase a cycle for kids with adjustable training wheels that help them get comfortable with pedalling and steering the bicycle without having to balance it. Instruct your child to focus on the way ahead and manoeuvre around obstacles.
Once your child has mastered manoeuvring the bike, you can remove the training wheels and teach them how to find their balance. Find an open, safe space like an empty field, a flat playground, or a vacant parking lot. To begin with, teach your child the correct riding position – head up, back straight and hands on the handlebar firmly.
Find the balance
Ask our little one to practice stopping by moving the pedals backward and by putting their feet down while you hold the bike upright. Start by holding the bike seat or placing your hand on your child’s back to steady them and ask them to start pedalling. They must look ahead instead of looking at the ground, which will help them steer straight.
With practice, they will be able to grasp precision steering. Run alongside your child until they’re balanced and riding at a steady pace, and then let go. If there’s a fall or a tumble, give them comfort and encouragement so that they can get back on the cycle and try again. Don’t forget to gear them up with safety equipment such as a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.
Going Solo
Once your child can balance the bike, teach them the “go position,” wherein one pedal is up and ahead, and have them stomp down to get the bike moving without your help. They will require practice in order to build up speed quickly and stay upright. Once your offspring masters riding their bike, you can move on to more advanced bicycles such as a bicycle with gears.
It is important to keep in mind that learning how to ride a bicycle requires patience, practice, and time. Offer constant encouragement to your offspring throughout their journey of learning. Getting your little one a bicycle of their choice can motivate them to practice more and learn faster.
You can explore a wide selection of cycles for kids at the Bajaj Mall and shop at the lowest prices. Additionally, you can also purchase adult bicycles such as mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, commuter bikes, and bicycles with gears. You can use the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card and purchase your preferred model on No Cost EMI, while select models come with a zero down payment provision.