How to ride a bike with gears

[coconut0]

I'm taking DD, aged 8, on her new big girl bike tomorrow. Problem is it has gears and I don't know how to use gears on a bike. Can anyone explain it to me so I can try to help her? Thanks x

[alardi]

Don't think I'm good for explaining, but I am sure there's a youtube video to show you what to do. Kid bikes usually have numbers on their gears. Low Numbers = when you need to go slow, High numbers when you can go fast. Switch to low numbers when about to go up a hill.

[coconut0]

That explains ut perfectly well, thank you. Youtube was far too complicated for me!

[falakjames]

Winding the dial forward will move the chain into a more modest, harder stuff in the back (right hand) and a more modest, simpler stuff toward the front (left hand). Well, in utv accessories, bending the dial back will move the chain into a bigger, simpler stuff in the back (right hand) and a bigger, harder stuff toward the front (left hand).

[aoeu]

For an 8 year old, I'd just shift it to a middle gear and leave it there to start with. Ride it yourself carefully, change it somewhere middle-high so it's not too high but not too low. Leave it there and just let her ride for now.

[aoeu]

Oh, and if you don't know how to change the gears: do it while pedalling the bike gently along.