Friday 25 May 2018

OUTDOOR PLAY: Learning to ride with a Strider Balance Bike

OUTDOOR PLAY: Learning to ride with a Strider Balance Bike
Learning to ride a bike is a big part of childhood for many and quickly becomes a life long skill. I remember getting my first bike and my parents excitedly taking me out to teach me, which then became the way I got to school for the whole of secondary school. It feels a bit surreal to now be starting to teach my daughter to ride a bike of her own and at a much younger age than it was done when I was younger. At three years old Isabella is the very proud owner of a Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike in Pink (£88). 

Strider is the creator of lightweight bikes that are aimed at teaching children how to balance while riding a bike. The absence of pedals makes it a lot easier for children to focus on learning how to became stable while the bike is moving, all without the standard pedals hitting into their legs. I've seen other children on balance bikes and the speed they can achieve is seriously impressive! Isabella hadn't had any experience of riding a bike or balance bike prior to trying out the Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike, but this hasn't held her back. 
We started by practising on the grass because if there were any falls then there wouldn't be grazed knees, which worked really well and meant there wasn't any pressure for Isabella to master it straight away. After a few wobbly starts and a fear of not lifting her feet up from the floor; Isabella started trusting herself and pushing her feet along the floor. We stayed close by her side, but very quickly her confidence has grown. 
The Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike is a new model for 2018, which offers all of the features any child could need or want when starting to learn how to ride a bike. Each of the Strider balance bikes comes with more than 10 years of design evolution and manufacturing improvements, one of which is the addition of a Performance Footrest. The performance padded saddle is ergonomically designed for children and the fact there are two seat posts means this bike is suitable from 18 months to 5 years old. 
Other key features include:
  • Handlebars designed for little hands - The handlebar is 43% smaller than a standard one, which allows children to have better control over the steering. 
  • Strider-Exclusive Wheels - These are very lightweight, have a five-spoke design with 10 bearing support gussets providing maximum strength and the top-quality cartridge bearings ensure a smooth rolling. 
  • Tyres - Again, very lightweight and built to provide a smooth ride for our children, but best of all they don't need air and will never go flat. 
  • Performance Padded Seat - A durable, all weather padded seat is specifically designed for children that is smaller, narrower and lighter. The extra long seat post ensures that the ideal riding position and posture can be attained for all ages between 18 months and 5 years.

Isabella has been practicing for around three months now and has made so much progress already. She went from being fearful of lifting her feet up to gliding down the path with us a few steps behind. Isabella's balance has noticeably improved, as she's now able to correct herself when she's going off balance and this has enabled her to go faster on the bike. I'm really looking forward to seeing her progress further and before I know it she'll probably be whizzing off without me.
One of the unique aspects of Strider Bike UK is that they host events around the UK where your little one can get involved in racing their balance bike! The fun and competitive races are aimed at children aged 18 months to 5 years and usually take place between April and September. Each of the events also have an Adventure Zone where children can test out the Strider Balance Bike, make friends and improve their biking ability, as well as a Strider Cup and Strider World Cup. You can see the 2018 Event Calendar here if you think your little one would enjoy taking part in one of the Strider events. 

Do you remembering learning to ride a bike as a child?

Feel free to leave a comment - I love reading every single one :)

Helen x

*This post contains PR samples. As always, all opinions are my own and 100% honest.
SHARE:

16 comments

  1. I only found out about these balance bikes after buying my toddlers the "normal bikes". I'm not sure it helps or not - each to their own. My kids can ride and that's what matters.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're right that learning to ride a bike is such an important skill, sadly I didn't learn to ride as a kid and I do feel regret in that as it's much harder as an adult x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Both my kids had balance bikes and I think they are fab! They easily moved on to pedal bikes when they were ready and never had any problems riding them :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. My kids had balance bikes. I think it helped them gain confidence.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the look of these balance bikes - they weren't around when my oldest was small enough so she had a traditional one with stabilisers but we'll be getting one for Theo :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never forgotten the pain of falling off my bike when I was learning to ride, I really wish there had been balance bikes when I was small x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've only ever heard good things about these bikes, and most children I know that have had them have gone straight onto peddle bikes without training wheels.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This looks absolutely fantastic. My daughter would LOVE one of these!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks like a great balance bike. The one we got for our daughter was too heavy and she struggled with it

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have tried a balance bike with Sebby but he just doesn't like it - I think he just prefers scooting

    ReplyDelete
  11. My two youngest learnt to ride a bike first through a balance bike, My eldest didn't as they weren't around and I think he was the oldest when he finally took his stabilizers off. They really do help.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I so wish I had tried one of these with Pickle. He is 5 and we haven't started learning to ride a bike yet. Kaz

    ReplyDelete
  13. Balance bikes make such a difference to how quickly they get going on bikes. Mine loved theirs so much, it was hard getting them to part with them when it was time to move on to pedals!

    ReplyDelete
  14. My kids have balance bikes and how quickly they have gone from barely moving to having confidence and zooming off is great.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We bypassed a balance bike with The Biggest who is now 4 and wish we hadn't as he is struggling riding a bike now, will definitely be getting one for my youngest!

    ReplyDelete
  16. These look so good. My toddler is just mastering his balance bike, but I also have baby twins who turn one next month. Give it a bit longer and we'll be buying another bike so will definitely look into these. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

© Treasure Every Moment. All rights reserved.
BLOGGER TEMPLATE BY pipdig