How old was your child when they got their first proper bike (with stabilisers) ? Especially interested in answers from parents of non-trike riding kids.

[NomDePlume]

As you may (or may not) have seen, DD is 3.5 and we are just about to start the waking nightmare that is getting rid of the dummy. We were going to start last Friday night, but I've got this flu bug and was in no state to be dealing with the fallout, and last night DH came down with it . Anyway, it was suggested that the 'dummy fairy' takes her dummies and leaves something fabulous for DD as a reward for being such a big girl. I love this idea and have been wracking my brains for a good enough present that won't break the bank but will make her feel grown up, and have come to the conclusion that a proper bike (with helmet etc) would be a good idea.

She has a Disney Princess trike (the one with the plastic wheels), but she's never been able to pedal it herself, it seems to take too much strength somehow. Would a bike with stabilisers be easier for her to pedal ? How old was your non-trike riding child when they could pedal a normal bike ? Is it unusual for a 3 year old to find a trike awkward (she is a strong, tall 3 year old) ?

TIA

ds1 never ever managed a trike but ahs always been great on a bike. trikes look hard to pedal tbh. hope it works for you

yossa- darker bike with dora stickers perhaps? My daughter never got on with a trike either. She is 5 now and just learned to ride without stabilisers this winter (just after 5th b-day)

DD1 had trike at 2 and got 1st proper bike with stabilisers at 3.5. We've just taken her stabilisers off - nearly 5 - took to it with no problems.

DS1 and DD got their bikes for their 3rd birthdays - DS2 has a trike and can pedal (now 2.6yo)

but IMO it would be best to try and get your DD to ride a bike straight off without stablisers DS1 had a bike without them and learnt to ride straight away but DD's bike had them and it took ages and ages to teach her because she became reliant on the stablisers - we aren't going to bother having them on for DS2 or 3!!

Good Luck

My dd had a trike which she rode literally once on her 3rd birthday when we bought it for her. We got her a bike with stabilisers on her 4th birthday and she got the hang of it very quickly. She's nearly 4 now and rides it to school and back and all over the place. I'm hoping to lose the stabilisers during the summer holidays.

dd1 had trike for 3rd xmas aged 2.2 mastered it by about 2.5 when her legs got long enough then for her 3rd birthday got a bike with stabilisers and has been whizzing about ever since.

Bikes are much easier than trikes becasue the weight / body is above the pedals rather than behind (trike pedals are on the front wheels)

My ds could not pedal his trike but managed very well with his bike at 2.5 (bought him one becasue he managed his sisters so well)