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Original poster

Make 9 year old learn to ride a bike?

259 replies

SherbettAnna · 26/03/2026 22:17

So DS is 9 now and hasn’t had a bike since he was about 4-5 (with training wheels) and he had a balance bike aged about 4.

We don’t live somewhere where he can just ‘ride his bike’ in the garden or outside the home. A bike wouldn’t fit in my little car so we would be limited to walking to a nice area he could ride to (I would walk him) once per week at the weekend. Wouldn’t be able to ride to school.

He isn’t bothered about a bike.
(He swims/ plays football x2 per week so it’s not like he’s not active).

I don’t know if I should spend money on a bike so he can learn to ride it eventually by practicing every weekend - only as I think he should be able to ride a bike.

YABU- Don’t get him a bike.

YANBU- he is 9 he should be able to ride a bike GO AND BUY ONE

All opinions welcome thank you.

OP posts:
TheWildZebra · 26/03/2026 22:41

Riding a bike is an essential life skill. Teach him while he’s still young , it’ll be harder for him to learn as he gets older. As others have said, is it something you could do together?

Runnersandtoms · 26/03/2026 22:40

It's not essential but it's quite handy when they're older. My 15 year old does a paper round every morning by bike and rides to the station to get the train to school. Also cycles to scouts/friend's house etc.

9 is late to learn but might find it easy. Don't get stabilisers they hinder not help.

At our school they do Bikeability (cycling proficiency) in year 6 but you need to know to ride. If all his mates do it he might feel a bit daft not knowing how.

Agree that it'd be good if you got a bike so you can go for proper bike rides once he learns. Riding round a playground is boring for a 9 year old. Once he's learnt to ride safely you can ride on the road together (assuming you don't live in a massive busy city).

BeeHiveStars · 26/03/2026 22:36

Yes, he really should know how to ride a bike and it's worth spending time on like you would swimming. Will he do cycling proficiency at school? He won't be allowed to take part if he can't ride a bike.

somekindof · 26/03/2026 22:31

Second hand kids bikes are good value

ErrolTheDragon · 26/03/2026 22:25

It’s a useful but not essential skill. If you’re going to make him ride a bike, you should probably get yourself one too (if you don’t already have one) and ride it with him.

AutumnAllTheWay · 26/03/2026 22:23

Leisure centres often do little teach them to ride a bike sessions for only a few pounds in the school holidays

TropicalRain · 26/03/2026 22:22

It is a faff but worth doing, and you never know, he might end up really taking to it. Had similar w my 9yo, a bit on/off, but then I just did it: researched all the bikes, bought one (2nd hand from Decathlon) and despite tremendous initial resistance, my 9yo now asks to go cycling. And if it is too much hassle you can take a break and try again another time.

PollyBell · 26/03/2026 22:21

If he isnt bothered why make him?

likelysuspect · 26/03/2026 22:20

If you can walk to the nice area, cant you go after school as well? Is he being taken to school by car?