Balance control, pedaling and braking are the three learning stages for a child to ride independently on his or her bicycle. However, you can get training from cycling coaching near you.

Finding balance and keeping it is the challenge of the 4 year old and older that discovers the bicycle. For him, the essential thing is that this progressive learning is like a game. Ideally, it is the draisienne, a little pedal less bicycle on which the child sits very low. The child sits on the saddle, pushes with his feet and takes the handlebars as with a bicycle. Less than 2 years old, some children accustomed to the draisiennes have already acquired an equilibrium without peer. Only trouble: the quick wear of shoes!

“A pedal-free bicycle that pushes on its feet gives it a sense of balance. He learns gradually to evaluate distance and speed, while learning to turn, confirms a retailer in cycles. He adds that every year at Easter, parents come to have the pedals of the bicycle of their child disassembled because the organizers of the training course asked them to them. “On the third day, we put them back on the pedals and then they left … for good.”

The “little wheels” to avoid

The auxiliary wheels, placed on either side of the rear wheel, would greatly retard the learning of balance in the beginning child. Without them, one or two sessions would often be enough if learning is done at the right time.

“Some parents have little time. So during a week and as part of a training course of balance including also skate and other activities, children 5-7 years old are initiated, explains Stephan Dubois, professor of physical education. Generally, they all arrive at the end of the week. “

Always check that the child positions his / her feet correctly on the pedals, uses his brakes to stop and keeps his head straight looking away.

Track the route

To prepare your child to face the traffic, first carry out the journey several times with him (on foot, by car) to detect the possible dangers. This can be the way to school or the relatively quiet streets of your town or village outside obviously hours of intensive traffic.

Always wear the helmet; seeing and being seen remains very important, colorful and reflective garments are ideal complements to safety measures.

Make sure it rolls to your right, between you and the side of the road, while making sure that the distance between you and him, and other potential cyclists, is sufficient. Little by little, you will let him open the road before you.