5 Great Advantages of Starting Kids Off on Balance Bikes

5 Great Advantages of Starting Kids Off on Balance Bikes

You may remember learning to ride your bicycle as no big deal. It does come naturally to some kids as young as 4 and 5. For others, the journey is more difficult. Some kids have not developed enough balance to ride without falling. Others are frightened of losing control and crashing. That’s why a balance bike is a good way to introduce cycling to your little ones. These pedal-less creations allow children to learn basic bike riding skills before needing to pedal. Below are five advantages of introducing your child to a pedal bike.

1- Safety

Balance bikes are not as tall as pedal bikes because the child’s feet have to reach the ground. They push with their feet and learn balance without risking a big fall. Pedal bikes have to be taller, to give your child room to pedal. When your kid’s balance fails or they hit a rut, they can take a hard fall to the ground. Children can fall off of balance bikes, but the fall is a short one that hurts less.

2- Weigh Less

Balance bikes are much lighter than pedal bikes. Typically, pedal bikes for young children weigh around 12-15 pounds in contrast to balance bikes which weigh around 6-9 lbs. Your child can manage a balance bike more easily than a heavier model. A pedal bike is about half of some children’s body weight, which makes it difficult for them to push it or steer it. These bikes can easily fall on them, too. Lighter rides encourage your child to get more exercise because they can ride longer without getting tired. Your child will probably be worn out after a short ride on a pedal bike. And hills will seem impossible to climb.

3- Balance Development

Experts note that kids continually learn to balance as they progress from walking to running to climbing, etc. Jumping to a pedal bike may be too big of a leap for some. A balance bike allows them to keep both feet on the ground, which is a more natural progression than trying to pedal right away. The balance bike teaches children how to stay upright, which should make learning to pedal a bike easier in the future. Also, your child may not need training wheels when they begin riding a pedal bike if they start on a balance model.

4- Turning

Remember freezing on your pedal bike when first learning to steer? Many children have difficulty learning to turn on a pedal bike. This problem leads to crashing into hedges, parked cars, and pedestrians. A balance bike teaches children to turn naturally. They lean into turns the way adults and older children do, and the bike encourages them to. A pedal bike is less flexible and requires more effort to turn, especially with training wheels. That is why new riders have so many accidents.

5- Handles Rough Ground

An uneven sidewalk, road rut, or uneven turf can upset the balance of a small child. The ground is seldom perfectly smooth, and an inexperienced rider can take quite a few falls on a pedal bike. In contrast, a pedal bike makes maneuvering through rough ground easy. Your child simply uses their feet to balance until they hit smooth ground again. Then they can lift their feet and ride away.

Riding a balance bike will build your child’s confidence. Days spent falling off a pedal bike or needing help to ride it can make them feel like failures. Instead, they can hop on their balance bike and be competent in no time. This greater confidence will make riding a pedal bike less challenging later on.

If you are like many adults, you have a few scars from your early bike riding years. You may even brag about these scars. But honestly, wouldn’t you rather your child have an easier experience? They can if you start them off with a balance bike.

Tips for Cycling After Injury or Illness

Tips for Cycling After Injury or Illness

Whether you’re the occasional bike rider or an avid cyclist, one thing you’ll probably go through is the occasional injury or illness that keeps you from riding. Depending on the severity, you might be off your riding game for a few days or even several years. 

While hiring an attorney for bicycle accidents is an ideal solution for seeking compensation, helping with any medical bills or money lost from time off work, there are also a few helpful tips for cycling after an injury or illness that you’ll want to know.

Tip 1: Accept the Situation

Even though you don’t want to admit that you need to take a break from your favorite activity, if you’re hurt or injured the worst thing you can do is aggravate the situation. No amount of stubbornness, anger, or refusal to accept what’s happening is going to make it go away. Pushing yourself will only prolong the injury. Take a step back and give yourself proper time to heal.

Tip 2: Be Smart and Listen to the Experts

Although you’re tempted to get back on your bike, an important step to a quicker recovery is to listen to your doctor. If your doctor recommends that you stay off your bike for a certain period of time, follow their directions. If your doctor says take it slow, then take it slow.In contrast, listen to your body and be sure you’re feeling 100% before you give it a go.

Tip 3: Take Proper Care of Yourself

Just because you’re not feeling well, don’t use the time off to completely destroy your diet. It might be tempting to eat a bunch of junk food or skip your vitamins, but that’s one of the worst things you can do. While you’re healing, be sure to maintain your diet by eating plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, get plenty of lean protein, and stay hydrated for a faster recovery.

Tip 4: Take It Nice and Easy

As you’ve already learned, your doctor knows best. Don’t jump back into training until you get the green light to go, and even then take it slow. Your body has been using up its energy to heal your injury and it’s not working at its best after you start back from an injury. Typically, you’ll want to start back withless than a 20 minute ride, and even if you feel like it-Don’t push it.

Tip 5: Follow Your Rehab and Physical Therapy Schedule

After an injury, your body will naturally “favor” the muscles that weren’t affected. This can cause further damage due to muscle imbalances, or issues with strength and flexibility being off-kilter. Once your doctor clears you for physical therapy, you can get started on the path to a full recovery. Just remember, only do what your body allows and what your doctor prescribes.

Tip 6: Get Ready to Ride

Eventually, your doctor will clear you of all restrictions and you’ll be able to ride again. Whenever the time comes, remember to take it slow. Your body will need an adjustment period when your muscles and cardiovascular system regain their strength. As you get stronger, you can slowly increase your riding times and intensity. 

The Hardest Part

At first, it might seem like the worst part about getting injured was the pain you felt when you got hurt. As time passes, you’ll realize that even worse than that pain is the fact that you can’t ride everyday. Remember, when you’re injured you have a new goal-to fully recover and come back even stronger than when you started.