any advice to help child learn to ride?

[kie_fujo]

we actually have a tag a long and that was my hope that it would help her become confident and gain some feeling for it. we'll see. she is somewhat afraid of it as well, but she does have fun once she's on.

[vinbek]

I think making sure she can put her feet down is key. Once she knows that all she has to do is put a foot down, she will feel more secure. My kids learned from their Dad. They didn't want to listen to me. We went to the local school and rode on the grass field. We all took our bikes and had fun. We ignored the one trying to learn and kept riding around the field playing and having fun and the next thing you know - a new person was added to the riding around! I also hold bike rodeos (still do at ages 10 and 13) for boy scouts and girl scouts. I get about 10 cones and have the kids ride around in a big circle - spaced far apart or one at a time - depending on age and ability. We always turn it into a game, but learn rules and skills at the same time. In our area, the police hold bike rodeos too and help train and teach kids and show them and their parents how to wear a helmet properly. It sometimes help to watch a friend ride. I think the more you push it the more resistance you will get. Good luck.

[mupedalpusher]

I agree with the others about letting her decide when the time is right. The little girl I taught this summer really wanted to learn and it worked. My nephew can't ride but he won't try so it's pointless to even bring it up, it will have to be his idea.
I disagree with the methods of you holding her, running along side etc.. She will never learn balance with someone holding on. Use the method many have mentioned and let her learn the balance thing on her own.
Our son had to go out and do it all by himself, he was too stubborn to let us help and when things didn't go well he always said it was our fault. We quit talking to him about the bike and a few weeks later he came in and asked me to look out the window....he was riding. We knew he was practicing "in private" but he didn't want us to watch. Maybe you should just remove the training wheels and tell her the bike is there when she's ready. Tell her she can either try alone or ask for your help but you won't bring it up again. That gives her the power.

[malkin]

My daughter learned this summer.
She also turned 19.


Don't think I didn't try; don't think I didn't cry.
She just didn't; she just wouldn't.

But tonight she was here with her mixte shopping for accessories...she has a 'friend bike' so a friend can ride with her, and she wants a 'friend helmet' too, and a longer lock so she can lock all the bikes. And she wanted "one of those things that shows how fast you are going."

Looking back, I'm more and more convinced that no matter how one plans parenthood, it's a grand adventure, full of surprises that are mostly out of one's control.

AND SHE DID LEARN TO RIDE A BIKE!!!!