Wondering when to introduce your little one to the joys of biking? Most experts agree that you should wait until your child is at least 1 year old before considering any kind of bike riding with them. The key factor here is head and neck strength. Your baby needs to be able to hold their head up properly to handle the movement and vibrations from the bike.
That said, you might be surprised to learn that there are ways to get your child involved in biking even earlier!
Before 1 Year: Strollers and Trailers
By around 6 months, many infants develop decent neck strength, but it’s still too early for a bike seat attached to your bike. However, some parents start taking their babies on walks in strollers as early as 1 month. With the right equipment you could try a pull-behind bike trailer that’s large enough to hold a car seat. As long as you stick to smooth, flat surfaces, this can be a fun way to introduce your child to the biking world early on.
Early Exploration: Bike Familiarity
You can also start familiarizing your child with a bike way before they’re ready to ride. Get a bike, lay it down on the floor, and let your baby play with it. This helps them get comfortable with the look and feel of a bike, making the learning process less intimidating later on.
10-18 Months
Before they’re ready for a balance bike, you can introduce your child to a 4-wheel balance bike. These four-wheeled bikes help toddlers practice key “pre-skills” like gripping handlebars, turning, and kicking with their feet while still maintaining stability without having to put so much effort into learning balance itself. It’s a great way to build their confidence and get them excited about riding!
This stage is less common as many parents go straight from riding together to balance bikes. But if you do find yourself in-between the two and your kiddo is not quite able to get the balance bike down yet, the 4-wheel balance bike could be a good alternative.
Balance Bikes and Beyond: 18-24 Months
Around 18 months, your child might be ready for a balance bike, which teaches the essential skill of balance. This sets the stage for learning to pedal around ages 2-3. Remember, every child is on their own timeline, and that’s perfectly okay!
By introducing your child to biking at the right time, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of fun, confidence, and adventure on two wheels.