Too late for a balance bike

[treaclepumpkin]

Really conflicted and would appreciate some advice. My eldest will be 4 in a few months, and he has only ever had a trike, which hasn't actually been used very much. He now also has a scooter, but he would like to learn to ride a bike.

From what I've heard, these days it's much better to start out in a balance bike, rather than on stabilisers. However, it seems most kids start doing this from age 2 and around my son's age have already moved on to a "proper" bike.

I've been looking at a Puky XL - because it seems to be designed for bigger kids, but wonder whether the expense is worth it, if he will only need to learn on it for a few weeks, before wanting real bike with pedals.

Has anyone ever managed to teach their child to ride a bike with pedals, but without stabilisers, without using a balance bike?

Just buy a 'proper' bike, take the pedals off and let him start like that, and then put them back on when he's confident at balancing for short stretches. Saves the expense of buying two bikes!

You can just take the pedals off a regular bike and use it as a balance bike. Drop the saddle so he can get both feet on the ground firmly at first.
I'm a coach at a children's cycling club and this is how we teach older children whi can't yet ride on two wheels independently but have pedal bikes. Once he is ready to pedal, just pop the pedals back on and put the saddle up a little bit.
I would strongly recommend the British Cycling Ready Set Ride programme. You have to create an account to get the whole thing but its free and anyone can use it.
readysetride.co.uk

Has anyone ever managed to teach their child to ride a bike with pedals, but without stabilisers, without using a balance bike?

Yes, DS1 & DD both rode without stabs at age 4-5yo which is plenty early enough for me. I also don't agree with any claim that your son is "too old". It takes a while to get used to balance bikes, too. Some of them cost under £40.

If you just take the pedals off that leaves painful cranks for the kid to have to avoid. Maybe remove the whole bottom bracket?

Thank you all - a regular bike it shall be!

@MrsAvocet - thanks so much, I had no idea about that programme. Just had a quick look at the website and it looks really good. Will definitely use when teaching him to ride.

Thanks again

Yes; my son much preferred his scooter at 3 and the balance bike was out of favour. Never used it

Made no difference whatsoever- he learned at around 5 to ride a normal bike, after stabilisers, in the time honoured way.

He loves his bike now. Really, don't worry. My dd (13) didn't even have a balance bike! They're a recent thing.

My DD learnt to cycle at 3 and my DS at 4. No balance bike just straight onto a normal one. My dh taught them in a grassy park and that was that.