What is a balance bike? Why some parents are opting for the training wheel-free option for kids
Removing training wheels from a bicycle is often considered a must-have for young people learning to ride a bicycle. Cycling – But some kids skip this step entirely and use a balance bike.
Balance bikes, some of which are designed for children Only 10 months old Old, no training wheels or pedals. Instead, they turned the entire bike learning process on its head, said James Beechinor, president of the bike brand early ridersAmerican branch.
Bicycles with training wheels teach children to pedal, steer and brake, while balance bikes focus on the balance aspect from the start. Once children better understand how to maintain balance, they can start cruising, gaining enough momentum to lift their feet and glide.
“Then you introduce steering, braking, and then when the child is ready and confident, you introduce pedaling,” Bicheno told CBS News. “By the time they get to the (cruising) stage, the transition to pedaling is actually not that difficult because they already have the feeling of staying balanced and staying upright. They already have the feeling of movement.”
Research also backs up early cycling claims. 2022 study A study by Dutch researchers published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology found that practicing on a balance bike was associated with an earlier age of independent riding compared to practicing on a bicycle with training wheels.
“The advantages of balance bikes arise because they challenge children more to actively maintain balance,” the authors write.
Even though balance bikes were introduced decades ago, they will account for only about 1% of the children’s bike market by 2024, Beechinor said, although they have gained more attention recently. Now, multiple brands, styles, age groups and prices (starting around $50) are available and available at online retailers. Bicheno said that while the overall market for children’s bikes is down, sales of balance bikes are on the rise.
“We do see growth. The overall kids’ bike market is down about 6% in the last 12 months, but balance bike sales are up 3%, so they’re kind of bucking the trend in the kids’ market,” he said.
He believes the benefits of cycling go beyond learning how to ride in advance. He said they promote general well-being and overall development.
According to a 2022 Portuguese study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, balance bikes can Mental and physical benefits For younger children.
“Children who start riding bikes at an early age are more likely to healthy weight Over the next school year, they can spend fun time riding bikes outdoors with peers or family as they develop motor parts and mature their social and emotional skills,” the authors write.
The authors of both studies declare no conflicts of interest.
