Ride a Bike with Training Wheels
Most starter bikes for kids come equipped with training wheels, which fit onto the bicycle's back wheel and help the rider balance. With this method, the child learns how to pedal and steer first, without having to worry about keeping the bike upright. Once he has mastered pedaling and steering, you can gradually raise the training wheels higher off the ground so that the bike is a little more unstable.
As your child gains confidence on this less balanced bike, eventually he will be ready to have the stabilizers removed all together. Sometimes it helps to have him practice on a grassy area, instead of pavement, so falls are less painful. And of course, your child should always wear a bike helmet, whether he is on a tricycle or a two-wheeler.
Ride an Undersized Bicycle
This method takes the opposite tack, teaching the child to balance before she learns to pedal or steer. You need a special learning bike called a balance bike. Or start with a regular bicycle, small enough (or with the seat lowered far enough) that your child's feet can easily touch the ground.
In this manner, she'll be able to control her own balance by putting her feet down when she feels unsteady. It's even better if you remove the pedals, to keep the focus exclusively on balance at first. Start your lessons on a slight downhill, so your child gets the feeling of moving forward while balancing.
After your child is comfortable with coasting downhill, reattach the pedals and have her try putting her feet on them while she rolls downhill. Eventually, she will master turning the pedals with her feet; then you can try having her ride on a flat surface. After a few practice sessions on flat ground, she may be ready for her seat to be raised to a more comfortable pedaling height, or to move up to a larger bike.
Ride While a Parent Pushes the Bike
If your child resists riding an undersized bike, or you don't have one available, you can try this old standby. Settle your child onto his bicycle, without training wheels, and hold him by the shoulders. Don't use the handlebars or seat; if you do, it subtly influences the child's balance and prevents him from learning the skill on his own.
As with the training-wheel method, use this strategy to help your child learn pedaling and steering without having to focus just yet on balance. Eventually, you can begin to let go and allow your child to balance on his own.
Tip: Don't let go without telling your child. If he falls at a time that he felt he would be safe, you lose his trust. Also, it's not safe for him to keep looking back over his shoulder to check on you.
