Adjust the bike to fit your baby
To make sure the bike is a proper fit for your baby, start by putting the seat and handlebars down as low as they go. Adjust the seat so that your child’s feet are flat on the base with a slight bend in the knee.
- Pro Tip
Babies grow fast! Be sure to readjust the bike as they grow.
Prioritize safety first
Babies younger than 12 months usually have relatively weak neck structure and helmets are not recommended for them. We recommend your child starts wearing a helmet at 1 year old.
- Pro Tip
When you associate riding a bike with wearing a helmet, your kiddo will be ready to roll when their bike comes off the rocking base the first time, because they’ll already be familiar with how it fits and feels.
Embrace your role
When your baby uses the rocker to pull up and stand or starts to initiate a rocking movement on the bike for the first time, show them you’re impressed! Lavish that little booger with praise.
- Pro Tip
When babies have a social cheering section, it helps wire their brain for relationship and learning. So, don’t hold back, hoot and holler for all your baby’s bike firsts!
Practice Together
Your baby is growing like a weed (and we don’t have to tell you that!) and their brain is, too. They’re learning to communicate and form bonds. The main goal of practicing together is for them to associate their bike with fun! When they are on their Strider Rocking Bike, use it as a time to play together.
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Introduce the Rocking Bike by sitting your baby on the floor next to it within reach. Give your child some time to look it over, reach out, or even start drumming on the rocker. Every baby develops at their own pace. There’s no need to rush or force anything. Remember to keep it playful.
As your child grows developmentally, encourage them to use the sturdy rocking base to pull up to standing. This action is already helping build core strength and to bear more leg weight. Perhaps they start bouncing while standing or even rocking the base a bit. Great! Your baby is getting their riding legs underneath them.
For now, support them on the bike and help them rock. You will notice their stability grow over time. You will likely have to show them how to place their hands on the handlebar grips. When your baby seems ready to start scooting and crawling, sit by the Rocking Bike just out of reach and encourage them to crawl towards you. Lavish them with kudos when they get to the Rocking Bike so they begin to associate their bike with joy and togetherness. The bike is where the fun is!
You already know how short your baby’s attention span is, you will likely be lifting them on and off the bike several times throughout the day. Remember, you are preparing them for independence. Enjoy these moments with your baby; it won’t be long before they are ripping down the bike path all by themselves.
Support Baby on Bike
Your baby is starting to recognize and feel more comfortable with the people and things around them – parents, siblings, dogs, and their favorite bike. Perhaps you’re seeing them go from sitting up, to crawling, to standing unassisted for a few moments. Their curiosity is expanding, and they are showing an interest in exploring how things work. Now you can start building their confidence on the bike.
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Start to spend more time encouraging your baby to sit on the bike. Kneel or sit next to your kiddo and hold them steady while they practice sitting on the seat. Having you close helps your child feel secure.
Reciprocate or mimic any signs of excitement from them with cheering and encouragement. More time spent sitting on the bike means more core strength. Over time, you will need to steady your baby less and less. You will both gain more confidence, and just like that, your baby is on the road to a lifelong love of biking and the freedom that comes with it.
Ready to Rock
With your now-older baby sitting comfortably on the bike, now is the time to start encouraging a bit more independence on their Rocking Bike. Encourage your child to get up and stand on the rocker by themselves. This will take some practice. Be there to support them, but do your best to let them try on their own (welcome to the rest of your parenting life).
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All of this play and practice is teaching your kiddo weight shifting. As confidence grows, let them try to put a leg up and over the bike. Ta-Da! Your baby has officially mounted their first bike. It’s time to rock!
Start by giving the bike a gentle rock and watch how your child responds. Sit in front of them, smile, make eye contact, and cheer when they begin to explore more movement on the bike. They may not get it to rock at first. That’s okay. Ultimately, the bike should be fun. This is their first taste of the joy, confidence, and freedom that comes with learning to ride. Be patient. Let your little one set the pace. As their coordination, core strength, and enjoyment continue to develop, you’ll likely see them rocking (and climbing) on their Rocking Bike like nobody’s business.
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