Support your rider – Not the bike

Support the Child - Not the Bike

Avoid the urge to hold your child’s bike for them. Learning to support the weight of the Strider on their own is their first lesson in balance! They must be allowed to feel the bike lean from side to side to learn how to keep it from tipping over completely.

Your child always has 4 points of contact with the ground: two wheels (one in front and one in back) and two feet (one on each side of the frame).

  • Pro Tip

    Is your child having trouble getting on and off the bike on their own? Try having them step over the frame of the bike while it is laying on the ground and then lift it between their legs by grabbing onto the handlebar and pulling it upward.

Let your kiddo set the pace

Let your kiddo set the pace

Some kids may not sit on the seat at first. This is OK! Their security is in their feet at this point, and we want them to feel secure. As they become comfortable walking with the bike between their legs and using the handlebar, they will soon use the seat and be striding before you know it!

  • Pro Tip

    Support your little rider, don’t direct them! Some children only want to spend the first minute or two walking their Strider around. Praise them for any amount of time they spend on the Strider. Their confidence will grow over time from striding and stopping with their feet.

2. Teach Your Kiddo to Stride

You are changing how your kiddo will learn to ride a bike and explore the world on two wheels. The skills they gain on their Strider 12 Balance Bike will stay with them through their school years and beyond. Let’s get started teaching your child to stride!

Seat Height

Prioritize Safety

Team Strider is serious about riding safety. We believe practicing safe riding at an early age builds the foundation for safe riding practices that last a lifetime. That’s why we offer everything your little rider needs to get rolling.

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    Helmet: The helmet should be worn low in front, slightly above the eyebrows to protect the forehead. The helmet should fit snugly, but not uncomfortably tight. Adjust the crown of the helmet so it doesn’t move while the child rides.

    Proper Fit is Essential

    The chin strap should be worn well back against the throat, not on the point of the chin. If a child opens their mouth wide the helmet should pull down on their head.

    To check the basic fit, hold the helmet with both hands and twist it gently to the left and to the right. If the helmet fits properly, the skin on the forehead will move as the helmet moves. To check the strap tension, hold the helmet with both hands and try to remove it by rolling the helmet forward and backward.

    Pads: To prevent injuries from falling, we highly recommend your child wear elbow pads and knee pads for extra protection.

  • Pro Tip

    Don’t forget shoes! No slip-on shoes or sandals. Children should always wear closed-toe shoes while striding. Stay safe and have fun.

Cheerlead

Cheerlead More than Coach

Nothing ruins the fun for a child more than being told what to do. We want your child to have the most enjoyable experience possible when learning to ride their Strider Bike. There are so many different things they can do on a Strider Bike! Help your child expand their imagination and their riding skills by introducing them to new obstacles, games, and activities before transitioning to pedals.

  • Read More Tips & Games

    Riding a bike is more than the time you spend in motion. Help your child enjoy the entire riding experience by mixing it up, taking breaks and making the entire ride an adventure. Every time they push it, pick it up, play with it or ride the bike, it is progress!

    Try holding a small dowel (approximately 38cm / 15 inches in length) – or imaginary handlebar – have your child practice turning by walking and pretending to steer through turns. Make it fun, try pretending they are airplanes! Encourage holding the dowel away from their body with arms extended like they would if they were on a bike.

    Once your child practices a few “imaginary turns” have your child try to balance by walking and steering all at once. When your child has this mastered have them try on their bike. For an extra challenge try steering around obstacles.

  • Pro Tip

    Children learn by watching someone demonstrate. Get out your bike and show them how you would stride!

Reminder for Grown-Ups

Reminder for Grown-Ups

Striding and practicing balance is fun! There’s no need to rush pedaling. Even if your child appears to be striding like a pro, moving to a pedal bike too soon can derail progress. Let them continue to practice and perfect their balance and bike-handling skills. With the improved skills they gain it will be a safer and more enjoyable ride.

Be confident that the time spent on their Strider Bike will help them easily transition to pedaling when the time comes.

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