Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Learning to Ride Without Stabilizer Wheels
• Method 2 of 3: Teaching Your Child to Skate on Their Own
• Method 3 of 3: Teaching Advanced Skills
• Tips
• Warnings

Finally, it's time to remove the stabilizer wheels and go! Whether you're a kid trying to learn to ride a bike on your own or being taught by a parent, the process of ditching stabilizer wheels can be quick, easy and fun. Don't worry, sooner or later everyone will learn to ride without stabilizer wheels!

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Learning to Ride Without Stabilizer Wheels

1. 1 Wear a helmet and protective gear. You must always wear a helmet when riding your bike, and other pieces of protective equipment can also be used! This will reduce the fear of driving without stabilizer wheels. Because the equipment will protect you from injury, you won't be as nervous about a possible fall from a bike or a collision. Here are some things to wear when you first ride without stabilizer wheels:
   • Elbow pads
   • Knee pads
   • Wrist protection
2. 2 Make sure your feet can touch the ground. Knowing that you can stop on your own will make cycling less intimidating. Before removing the stabilizer wheels, sit on the bike and try to touch the ground with your feet. If you fail, ask an adult to help you lower the seat.
   • It's okay if you can't touch the ground with both feet while sitting on the bike - just one foot is enough to stop.When doing this, you must touch the ground with both feet, standing between the seat and the steering wheel.
3. 3 Find a level riding area. Bring your bike to an open and level area such as a park or parking lot. The best option will be a place covered with soft grass: it will not be scary to ride, since it does not hurt to fall on the grass. You can train on your own, but if you have a friend or an adult who can help, it will be easier for you!
   • If the stabilizer wheels have not yet been removed from your bike, ask an adult to remove them before you go to the riding area.
4. 4 Practice pedaling and braking. Sit on the bike and place your feet on the ground. Step on the pedal with one foot and push off the ground with the other. Place both feet on the pedals and keep twisting them. If you need to stop, pedal back (if there is a hand brake, just squeeze it with your fingers).
   • Don't be afraid to take your feet off the pedals when needed! At the first time of training, it may seem to you that you are falling, so do not worry, and, when stopping, feel free to put your feet on the ground.
5. 5 Practice turning as you pedal. If you manage to start and stop, try turning left or right. While pedaling forward, turn the steering wheel slightly to the right. You must turn right. Next, turn slightly to the left. You must turn left. Try turning a little more to each side and see how much you can turn without feeling uncomfortable. Don't be afraid to stop if you have difficulty turning!
   • In fact, if you are driving very slowly, turning is much more difficult than when driving fast. It is difficult to balance at a slow speed, so if you have difficulty turning, try to accelerate.
6. 6 Practice going up and down the hill. Find a small hill or slope. Try to climb it. To do this, you will need to pedal harder than usual. After reaching the top, try to descend slowly. Then go up the hill again, but a little faster. Repeat this until you can descend without using the brakes.
   • Be patient! It will take some time to get up and down the hill without brakes, so don't worry if you didn't get it right the first time.
   • Start in the low hills. Do not attempt to descend large slides until you have learned how to ride well without stabilizer wheels.
7. 7 Ask a friend or parent to nudge you if you need help. It is much easier to learn how to ride without stabilizer wheels if there is someone nearby who can help. Ask a parent, a friend who has learned to skate, or a brother or sister to hold your hand if possible. These people can make your learning easier in many ways, but the best option is to ride next to you, holding your hand while you pedal yourself.
8. 8 Do not give up! Riding without stabilizer wheels can seem scary, but once you do it, it gets much more fun. If you can't ride without stabilizer wheels after the first day of training, don't worry, everything will work out with time! Try again with the help of a friend or adult. Never give up, skating without stabilizer wheels is good for everyone who learns. Riding will become easier and easier with each attempt, and in the end you will only be able to ride this way!

Method 2 of 3: Teaching Your Child to Skate on Their Own

1. 1 Take your child to an open area with a gentle slope. Although each child learns differently, one of the best options for many children is to descend slowly down a long, gentle slope. A slow, controlled descent will allow the child to feel comfortable, getting used to the idea that riding without stabilizer wheels is almost as easy as with them.
   • Grassy ground is a great option. Grass will prevent the child from gaining high speed, and the experience of falling onto soft grass will be less stressful for him. After all, the last thing you want is that the unsuccessful attempt and the fear of riding without stabilizer wheels took away the child's desire to continue learning.
2. 2 Make sure your child is well protected and the bike is adequate for his height. Don't let your child ride without a helmet. Not only is this dangerous, but it can become a very bad habit. You can also invite your child to wear additional protective equipment such as elbow pads and knee pads. Thus, children who are afraid to ride will feel more confident. Finally, make sure your child can reach the ground with their feet while on the bike and adjust the seat if necessary.
   • Please note that some places have laws requiring cyclists up to a certain age to wear a helmet. Sometimes breaking such a law can be considered a parental offense.
3. 3 Allow the child to descend freely by supporting him. When ready to ride, give your child the opportunity to gently descend a hill or slide. Make sure he keeps his shoulders and back upright. Do this until your child is confident and comfortable riding the bike forward with your help.
   • If you walk or run next to a bike, be careful. Be careful not to get your feet caught in or between the wheels.
4. 4 Allow your child to stop on their own with their feet. Then let him descend the slope as slowly as before, but this time do not hold him if the child does not need it. If necessary, explain to him how to stop with his feet. This will help your child learn all the essential skills needed to safely ride the bike upright.
   • If the child starts to lose control, hold him back. Although several falls can occur, try to avoid them so that the child is not afraid to continue learning.
5. 5 Let your child use the brakes. Let him do everything as before, but this time he controls the speed with the brakes. When he comes down the slide, tell him to stop using the brakes. Repeat this until the child confidently slows down and stops without your help. Explain to him that he can always stop the bike if necessary. This is one of the most important nuances in building a child's confidence in a bicycle.
   • Most children's bicycles have foot brakes, in other words, the child has to pedal backwards to stop. Many learning bikes without stabilizer wheels are equipped with a foot brake. This is due to the fact that, in addition to other necessary skills, the use of hands can be too much of a burden for young children. However, if your child's bike has a handbrake, that's okay. You can also learn on such a bike, it just takes a little more time.
6. 6 Teach your child to turn on level ground. Go to a flatter area. Have the child start pedaling, then try to stop. This must be done several times until he is comfortable. Then have the child try to turn the handlebars slightly as they move forward. Walk beside him, supporting him if necessary. It will take a while for the child to start feeling confident when turning, so be patient.
   • Ideally, the child should learn to bend slightly when cornering. However, it can be difficult to explain this to a young child. In addition, you may want him to come to this action on his own.
7. 7 Teach your child to pedal while climbing up the paved road. Let him drive up a gentle slope.A hard surface will be more comfortable than the ground, as the grass makes it difficult to move, not allowing you to pick up a lot of speed. Tell the child to pedal vigorously and, as usual, support him as needed to avoid falling.
8. 8 Gradually stop holding it. When your child develops skills, gradually stop helping him until he can feel comfortable just because you are there. Then also slowly try to move away so that he can ride confidently without your help. Slowness is a key factor, the child will start to ride on their own without even noticing it.
   • Be prepared to follow him a short distance to assist in the event of a fall. It is much better for your child to receive support from you after the fall than it is to be alone. Lack of help after a fall can provoke a child's refusal to learn to skate independently for a long time.
9. 9 Be positive. Stay fun and positive while teaching your child to ride without stabilizer wheels. Praise him for his successes, and when he can ride on his own, tell him that you are proud of him. Do not scold your child for mistakes and do not force him to do what he is still afraid of. The child should enjoy the ride, and if this happens, he will be ready to continue learning even without your help.
   • Many parenting information resources recommend using a positive mood and rewarding your child for good behavior. A child will learn obedience if he receives the love and attention that are so important to children.

Method 3 of 3: Teaching Advanced Skills

1. 1 Experience a bike with a handbrake. Eventually, most children stop cycling with a foot brake and start using a hand brake. The handbrake gives the rider more control by allowing them to choose which wheel to brake with. To use it, simply squeeze the handle. By braking the rear wheel, the bike stops more slowly, while the front wheel brakes the bike rather sharply. Be careful not to squeeze the brake too hard so as not to roll forward.
   • Although the learning rate is different for each child, in general, children are ready to use the handbrake at the age of about 6 years.
2. 2 Try using a bike with a derailleur. Sooner or later, most children begin to ride such a bike, just like using the hand brake. Gear shifting allows you to easily accelerate, climb steep hills, and maintain high speeds without much effort. To use it simply turn the lever or switch near the handle in any direction. You should notice how suddenly it becomes easier or harder to pedal. The harder you pedal, the faster you can go.
   • Again, each child takes a different amount of time to learn. Most kids ages 9 to 12 are able to switch to derailleur bikes with just basic training
3. 3 Try to stand up while pedaling. This allows you to push down on the pedals a lot more, helping you climb slides with ease and gaining speed very quickly. In addition, you must be able to get up on the bike in order to be able to perform various tricks. It may seem daunting at first and your legs will tire quickly, but with a little practice, you can easily maintain your balance and master this skill.
4. 4 Try off-road cycling. When you feel comfortable riding on flat terrain such as a sidewalk or field, try driving off-road. You will find that driving this way is slightly different from driving on the road.As a rule, the ride is slower and requires you to carefully monitor the road in front of you. However, off-road driving can be a great workout and also allows you to see landscapes that you have not seen before.
5. 5 Try to jump. Once you can ride your bike confidently at any speed and in any terrain, try some simple tricks! For example, you can take a jump. Get up at a slow speed, put your weight on the steering wheel and try to push off the ground. Once in the air, lean forward so that both wheels can land on the ground. When you're good at doing it, try making a small jump off the curb without stopping.
   • Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out right away or if you fall several times while trying to learn this or any other trick. Minor scratches and bruises are part of the learning process. You can't learn without making mistakes!

Tips

• If you miss a turn, jump off your bike onto the grass.

Warnings

• If you are driving in unfamiliar terrain, drive very slowly while training.
• If you decide to jump, first make sure that the given distance is surmountable for you.