Learning to ride a children's tricycle

Learning to cycle is a monumental moment in life. It helps young children to learn a new skill and gain more independence. It’s also a great life lesson in it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s the getting up and trying again that counts.

When do children become interested in cycling?

Children don’t have much of a desire to learn to ride until they have external factors encouraging them to, such as friends and siblings cycling to school, seeing others cycle in parks, and having an interest in roller skating, skateboarding, and cycling. Tricycles also become a toy for children, providing them with hours of endless fun in their games.

However, it’s not as easy as it seems to balance on two wheels, which is why many parents are encouraging their children to learn on three wheels. Tricycles have one wheel in the front and two in the back, increasing the surface area covered. This means that your child doesn’t need to have perfect balance from the get-go as the third wheel does a lot of the hard work for them. Also, in the first few years of their life, children learn the gross motor skills needed to learn how to pedal. Children’s tricycles offer an opportunity for the child to first learn how to pedal correctly and master being in control of the tricycle before they need to worry about anything else.

At what age do children learn to cycle?

 A child can learn to ride from being as young as a toddler, starting out on a children’s tricycle, working their way up to a two-wheeled bike with stabilisers. Children tend to graduate to a big kids tricycle between the ages of 3 to 8, with an average age of 5 years old. Only when the child is safe, comfortable and both the child and parent are confident in the ability will they move up to the next size tricycle.

Safety first

Regardless of age, safety is always the biggest cause for concern when cycling. Always wear a helmet to protect your head and set an example for your children on cycling safety, especially when near other people, vehicles, and on unsteady terrain.

Practicing safety on bikes helps to prevent serious injuries. Especially during the winter months as it gets darker quicker, we recommend attaching lights to your bike and wearing hi-visibility bands or clothing to make sure motorists and other pedestrians can see you coming.

Once your child knows how to cycle, you’re able to go on cycling holidays and out on your tricycle as a family, enjoying the sunshine and quality time spent together.