Teaching 5 year old to ride bike

[foreverchangingnappies]

So long story short… last summer we removed the stabilisers from my child’s bike. He caught on pretty quick and can balance fine with just a small push to get going. He will pedal a small distance (nice and steady) but will then put his feet down and stop. It’s like he loses momentum to keep moving. We have been teaching him on grass mostly. Also he can’t seem to figure out starting off himself. He was doing well towards the end of last summer but then we didn’t go out in winter due to the weather.

Any tips please? One to get him to be able to pedal further before he loses momentum, and also for getting him to be able to start off himself! He is 5 and a half years old.(

How is he with other activities @foreverchangingnappies? Can he run, scoot and catch a ball? Not necessarily all together

get off the grass - its hard going and easier to loose momentum. its good for initial security, but it sounds like your child needs to be able to get more speed and keep it, which will be very hard on grass.

For starting - My son was struggling with this as well, but then my father recommended starting on a very gentle hill, and this worked wonders. We found a place to cycle with a very long gradual hill, and it just helps them pick up speed after starting, which they can then carry on with.

I was about to type the same thing! A slight downhill slope will really help. Taking a back step may also be useful to use a balanced bike rather than pedals, once they have mastered the balance bike, they really do transition within a few days onto pedals. You can pick them up really cheaply secondhand.

Thanks all. He’s great on a scooter (2 front wheels one back) and is starting to learn catching. Runs around all the time!

Starting on a slope is a good idea and away from grass - will give it a try once this rain goes away! Balance bikes he’s far too big for unfortunately - very tall for his age! In hindsight wish I’d started with the balance bike!

Thought I’d update - first time trying on flat tarmac and he got it first go! Now riding all around, starting himself, etc. Definitely use a hard surface rather than grass once they can balance