I think I borrowed my neighbors' bike. We had a yard that had a small slope/hill that was by our driveway. I would get on her bike and roll down that hill and when I would get to the end of my neighbors' yard where their hill was much steeper and longer...I would jump off of the bike just prior-until I figured out the brakes! I hated training wheels...they scared me more than jumping off of the bike! Too precarious-feeling...I guess her bike survived ok. I must have been around 7 or 8.