5 year old DD learning to ride a bike without stabilizers

[MrsH75]

Any tips?

All I remember is my dad/grandad running up and down a field with me holding on to my bike as I wobbled about yelling "Don't let go! Don't let go!" and suddenly I got it, and they did let go. Is there any advice you can give me or is it just about lots of running up and down a field and getting a bad back!

Fix the stabilisers so they are off the ground. For a short while a kid will rock from side to side but then be riding with both off the ground not realising it. The moment you take them off then the child should basically ride immediately. It's worked with both of mine.

yep just lots of running and bad back, my word it kills you!

i was really surprised at ds1 last summer (he was 5.5yrs then). he was too scared to try it for ages. but i persuaded him, had a few goes with me holding on and then he was off and away!

(Stabs off or very high, obviously). Put the seat way down so that they can comfortably sit on the seat with feet flat on the ground. They need to be totally confident about getting feet to ground very fast before they will take both feet up and really try. When they have the hang of riding on a too small bike they can move back up to a bigger one (or you can put the seat back up). DC have all learnt to ride on bikes with 12" wheels and then moved immediately up to 16" wheels.

Thanks for the advice - really interesting about leaving the stabilisers on but above the ground and lowering the seat. I think her seat was probably too high. Will have another go this weekend if the weather is nice.

Go to a cycling club and let them do it for you

Dungarees! That way you can hold onto the straps so saving you bend down, and it's easy to let go without them being able to tell (you don't suddenly straighten up!)