Bike for a three-year-old child
Your child isn't quite ready to independently ride an "adult bike", but they're gaining courage, which they're happy to use for increasingly daring attempts at fast riding. They're improving their balance and acceleration. At the age of three, a youngster is somewhat conscious of preparing to change to a vehicle equipped with pedals, and that's why a bike for a three-year-old should give the child as much freedom as possible while maintaining maximum safety. At this stage, some parents decide to buy a classic bike equipped with training wheels or a training handle for assisting the child. When buying a bike for a three-year-old, you should remember that independent balancing on a balance bike translated in the future into much better results than your youngster learning having a false sense of balance. On the other hand, learning to pedal on a tricycle strengthens leg muscles and prepares your little one for new active challenges.
- Super lightweight and durable
- Large and inflatable wheels
- Comfortable handles and soft seat
A bike for a three-year-old: a balance bike, bike with training wheels, or tricycle?
Parents observing the development of their darling are eagerly awaiting further progress and small successes. Confident bike riding is one of those moments that mum and dad can't wait for when supporting their child in their first attempts at getting used to riding on two wheels.
All parents think that this will be a breeze, and that their pride and joy will quickly learn road rules. And that their child will learn to love this type of leisure and soon join them on family bike trips. For your child, despite small failures, to be willing to always get back on and prepare well for switching to a classic bike, it's good to choose the right bike for a three-year-old. Which models will you find in the ranges of manufacturers of children's accessories in this age group?
- Balance bikes (wooden and metal) – these provide excellent support in developing key abilities that your child will use in the future, such as a sense of balance and space, as well as motor skills (movements, posture, reactions – braking, turning – and general physical fitness). With such foundational aspects in hand, switching to a bike with pedals won't be overly difficult. It's enough that the little cyclist learns the new way of taking off and braking. Thanks to their practice on a balance bike, they'll know right from the start how to maintain balance while riding.
- For many parents, classic bikes (with training wheels or a training handle included in the set) are a much more cost-effective solution that allows their little one to jump straight into learning to ride a bike with classic propulsion. If you're omitting learning to ride on a balance bike, definitely get something with a training handle. Training wheels will get your little one used to receiving assistance, and stop them from attempting to independently maintain balance.
The third, equally good option is choosing a tricycle that thanks to its modular design prepares your youngster to transition in stages. Less-confident and capable cyclists may at the beginning need support from their parent, who's controlling the ride using a telescopic handle. There's also room for independently developing a passion for physical activity. After all additional elements are removed, our tricycles convert into independent bikes on which your darling can take off!
Transitioning from a balance bike to a bike with pedals
Given some differences in the design and use of balance bikes and classic bikes, parents are sometimes uncertain about moving to a model with chain propulsion. Won't riding a balance bike without pedals make my child have difficulties learning to pedal? How will my little one manage with a new way of taking off and braking? And what do I do with the balance bike once my youngster learns how to ride an "adult bike"?
Experience shows that pedalling isn't difficult for children who previously used a balance bike. They know that the bike is propelled using the legs, have a sense of space, and quickly realise that on the new bike they no longer have to push off. You don't have to wait long for your youngster to develop habits related to taking off and braking – a few attempts will be enough for them to learn this skill. Learning to ride a tricycle also results in good foundations for learning to pedal correctly.
Although from the perspective of a parent balance bikes are only useful for a certain amount of time, for children, they remain adventure companions for a long time. Your little cyclist will enjoy going back to the balance bike for some time.
