Balance bike
WALKING AND CYCLING COMBINED
In addition to training one-track riding, which a scooter also teaches, a balance bike offers sitting like on a bicycle but without pedals. Little ones can steady themselves with their feet if they start to tip and learn to find their balance.
Why a balance bike?
Scooters and balance bikes have proven useful as preparation for cycling. They have replaced the once-common training wheels on bikes, which experts often criticised as “crash wheels.” No child learns to balance with those. With both “vehicles” children also train their spatial awareness, reaction skills and motor abilities.
Where to ride?
A large, flat area is suitable for practice. Children should only ride in a safe environment and not in traffic. Experts also advise against using pavements beside roads and steep downhill routes.
Suitable age?
Most children are fit enough at two-and-a-half or three years old to sit on a balance bike and control movement and speed.
What to watch for?
Children can get used to wearing a helmet on the balance bike. When choosing the ride look for a low step-through and an adjustable saddle and handlebars. The child should sit with arms and legs slightly bent to be able to push off effectively. A brake can make sense not only for little speedsters but also for parents. You should walk alongside your children until they can steer and stop safely. They can then ride alone on a private yard or other protected surfaces. Parents should be aware, however, that braking often still overwhelms the coordination of the very young.
Scooters & Scooter
ROLL, ROLL, SCOOTER
After a short dip in popularity the scooter as a classic children’s vehicle has long since reclaimed its firm place. Even the very young learn to gather momentum and set off in no time, and older kids still enjoy dashing about with gusto.
Why a scooter?
As with a balance bike, a scooter is excellent preparation for cycling. Its advantage: when things get critical, stepping off is easier than with a bike. Children pick it up quickly, but balance, coordination and reaction ability are still required: youngsters must push off, steer, brake, stop and look where they are going and what is happening around them. Cornering needs practice too.
Where to ride?
Thanks to their large wheels, scooters roll well almost everywhere, from paved roads to field tracks. Kick scooters are a little more delicate. Legally, scooter riders must use pavements and may ride in pedestrian zones, traffic-calmed areas and play streets. Cycle lanes are not permitted for them.
Suitable age?
A classic scooter with one wheel at the front and one at the back can be used by children from about 3½ years. The mini variant with three wheels requires less balance and is suitable for around two-and-a-half-year-olds who can move forward without tipping over. Kick scooters resemble the classic scooter, but have different wheels, are lighter and usually foldable. Their cooler look makes them attractive to older children who also like to carry them in a rucksack.
What to watch for?
They can be off in a flash: because scooters can travel quickly, children should wear a helmet. It is advisable to choose the size of the scooter according to the child’s height. If the handlebar is roughly at elbow height, the proportions are right.
Bicycle
RIDING LIKE THE BIG ONES
Trainers from road-safety organisations, the police and other bodies note that children are getting worse at cycling when they reach the fourth school year. Riding with one hand, braking correctly, shoulder checks while continuing straight: more and more children find these tasks overwhelming. Motor skills and coordination often leave something to be desired. The common reason: lack of practice.
How to learn?
Children who have been active on scooters or balance bikes usually find learning to ride a bike from the start quite easy. During the first attempts parents can help by holding the bicycle steady while the child gets on. When the child has their feet correctly on the pedals, the adult helpers can push the bike slowly. It can be held at the saddle or at the carrier.
What to watch for?
A properly fitting helmet is a must. It should be removed at the playground because of the risk of strangulation. Parents are role models here as well. One in two mothers and one in two fathers of younger children wear a helmet when cycling. That makes them some of the most diligent adult helmet users. But half of parents are still missing from the club. Don’t buy a bike to grow into. The right size is important so that the child can control the bike.
When to let them ride alone?
You can’t judge by age whether parents can send their child out alone on a bike in traffic. Experts believe children are mature enough in every respect only towards the end of the fourth school year. It is not enough to move safely on the bike – children must also know the traffic rules, keep an eye on traffic, recognise risky situations and react prudently. Parents can practise all of this with their children by cycling together a lot, gaining traffic experience and talking about all kinds of situations. Every kilometre helps to improve motor skills, coordination, strength and safety in traffic.
Where to cycle?
Until their eighth birthday, cycling children must use the pavement. There they must also show consideration to pedestrians. If there is no pavement, the little ones may ride on the road. Eight- to ten-year-olds may choose between pavement and carriageway. For older children and adults, cycling on the pavement is off-limits. These rules can put parents in a dilemma: the child on the pavement, the mother on the carriageway, but still close enough to step in? After all, that is expected of the supervising adult.
Roller skates & inline skates
SHOES FOR SPEEDING AROUND
Inline skates can be faster than roller skates. The classics, however, are more manoeuvrable and give beginners a secure stance. Whatever children strap to their feet, they are sure to have fun dashing about.
Suitable age?
From about five years most children can start skating successfully. Even if they soon travel at a fair speed, they must use the pavement and not the road.
Where to skate?
Quiet streets without traffic, play streets or car parks are suitable for first steps. Surfaces should be even, dry and as free of stones or other trip hazards as possible.
How to learn?
Parents can initially support their child by standing to one side and holding a hand for security. Better not to grab from behind under the arms. That makes the beginner lean forward and fall more easily. Inline-skating courses are offered by specialist schools, community colleges or clubs. Then it’s practice, practice, practice until they can rock n’ roll on the road.
What to watch for?
Skates must fit well and no child should be on wheels without a helmet, knee, elbow and wrist protectors. Beginners must remember to practise braking. The heel brake is best for starters. A step onto grass is possible but brakes very abruptly. You can also practise falling on grass: in full protective gear, fall onto your knees, elbows and wrists. While gliding children should keep slightly bent knees and stay slightly forward, and – if unavoidable – fall forward only. Supervising adult expected.
