The next generation...

[northstar]

Hi all,

I haven't been around much for a while, but had to share. My 3 year old daughter just got her first bike - a balance bike - last month. I was getting ready to head out on a ride, and she wanted to take a picture together with our bikes before I left, and I thought it turned out so sweet. Can't wait until we can really ride together.

P.S...she's really cruising on that thing already. They learn so fast!

[jessmarimba]

Awwww Too cute!

[chincitop]

That is so adorable!

[tytbody]

I have a 3 year old granddaughter. What does a balance bike do?

[Velocivixen]

What a lovely sentiment and cute photo. She wants to be like her mom! See they do follow our actions. You are setting such a nice example for her. Thanks for sharing.

[Crankin]

It's a bike with no pedals, where the kid can scoot along and learn to coast, so they get the feel of riding, without the training wheels step.

[zoom-zoom]

That grin is priceless!

[tytbody]

It's a bike with no pedals, where the kid can scoot along and learn to coast, so they get the feel of riding, without the training wheels step.

can you get training wheels for it later? hum.. doesn't sound like it. Sounds like something they ride more in the house. right?

[Karma007]

Cuteness!!! I love seeing girls out when I'm riding!

[sunsfan]

That smile!
She's precious.

[Velocivixen]

@tytbody, once the child learns balance on this type of bike they typically don't require training wheels. Training wheels may give mental confidence but don't do much in the way of teaching balance.

[Crankin]

That's right. You just let the kid scoot along and eventually, they lift their feet, steer, and they have balanced and steered, just as you would if you were pedaling. This way of teaching riding is much more in tune with the way the brain works and kids learn.

[northstar]

What Crankin said - The seat on the bike is quite low, so she can easily put her feet down, stand up, whatever. No need for training wheels - her feet keep her upright. At first, she'd put one foot up behind her and push with one side, and now she's able to get a good run and tuck both feet up, coasting. I think a common brand is Strider - they had good videos on their site. This one is a Raleigh I found at REI. Just need to get a little basket and a bell on it for her now.

Thanks all. She really is as sweet as she looks.

ETA: It's definitely for outside! Knobby tires eat up the bumps in the sidewalk/path - and it's very light, so she can use it on the grass pretty easily.

[margo49]

Three is such a perfect age - all they want is to be like you, do like you and help you...enjoy...And you're right - they learn so fast!

[gbunker]

What a sweet picture of you and your daughter! We got my son a Strider right before his 2nd birthday, thinking that it would be a year or more before he learned to ride it. Three months later, he is *flying* on that thing! He is completely obsessed with his bike, and it's pretty much his favorite activity.

On a related note, I was away at a class the other evening, and my partner reports that my son asked "Where mama go? Bike store?"

I guess he is not the only one who is obsessed.
Gillian