It's an all to familiar image of teaching your kids to ride a bike, your hunched over holding the back of a tiny bike seat while your kid screams and swerves into a bush. Luckily there's other ways, with no training wheels required. I had all four of my boys riding pedal bikes by age 2, 3, and 4 depending on the kid. I didn’t bribe them, threaten them, or have magical parenting powers. I just used one simple tool...a balance bike.
The Strider balance bike that made it through all four boys...
What is a Balance Bike?
A balance bike is a small two-wheeled bike without pedals. Kids sit on the seat, push off with their feet, and use their body weight to glide, steer, and—most importantly—balance. No gears. No pedals. No chain to get caught in shoelaces.
They’re usually lightweight and low to the ground, which gives kids confidence to cruise on their own. And if they do tip over? It’s about a 5-inch fall.
Why is the Balance Bike A Game Changer?
1. Teaches balance first (the hardest part)
Let’s be real—balance is the actual hard part of learning to ride a bike, not pedaling. Most traditional bike learning starts with training wheels, which take away the very skill kids need to succeed: the ability to balance.
Balance bikes flip the process. Kids learn to shift their weight, turn naturally, and coast on two wheels without relying on training wheels.
2. It Eliminates the "Fear" Stage
Remember the terror of riding a bike for the first time? The skinned knees and the thought of a gigantic bike toppling over on you. That won't happen here.
Because balance bikes are foot-powered and so close to the ground, kids feel in control from day one. No sudden tip-overs. No feeling like they’re being launched into the unknown.
By the time they’re ready for a pedal bike, they already feel like pros—because they are.
3. Skips the Training Wheels
Training Wheels might seem like a helpful in between step, but at the end of the day it's really just a crutch. They will have to unlearn what they thought was balance when the training wheels are removed.
Balance bikes remove that step entirely. There’s nothing to unlearn, just one smooth transition: glide → balance → coast → pedal.
It worked like magic for all four of my boys, when they transitioned from the balance bike to a pedal bike, it literally took 15 minutes before they were off and never looked back.
My Favorite Balance Bikes
I've tried a few and here are my top picks, the strider comes in at No. 1 because it's lasted through all four kids and I just handed it off to a friends
- Woom 1 Balance Bike – Lightweight, ergonomic, and worth every penny.
- Strider Sport Balance Bike – The original balance bike, affordable and durable with a good resale value.
- Banwood Balance Bike – If you want form and function (and some aesthetic for your IG pics).
When To Start the Balance Bike
There’s no magic age, but most kids are ready to start using a balance bike around 18 months to 2 years old, as soon as they can confidently walk and have decent coordination.
Just remember: every kid’s personality is different. My four boys couldn't be more different.
Some will hop on and instantly want to zoom around the block. Others will casually walk it around the driveway for a few weeks before realizing it’s more fun to ride. The balance bike sat in my house for a year before the oldest would even look at it, don't get discouraged. All is totally normal.
For my boys the younger ones seemed to pick it up much faster because they were always surrounded by other kids/brothers on bikes. We also live at the beach so we are on bikes a lot. Peer pressure can be a good thing sometimes, the daily exposure made it feel more normal and exciting.
The key? Keep it low pressure. Leave the bike out where they can explore it on their own. Let them go at their own pace.
The beginner bike I swear by, the one and only Woom 2
How to Transition from a Balance Bike to a Pedal Bike — Without Tears or Training Wheels
So your kid is zooming around like a mini Evel Knievel on their balance bike. They’re gliding, turning, stopping with their feet, and you’re wondering, “Okay, now what?”
Good news: if they’ve mastered the balance bike, you’re 90% of the way there. The next step? Introducing pedals and that’s it.
Here’s exactly how I transitioned all four of my boys to pedal bikes before they were 4.
Step 1: Look for Signs They Are Ready
You’ll know they’re ready for a pedal bike when they can:
- Glide for several seconds with both feet off the ground
- Steer confidently while coasting
- Use their feet to slow themselves down
- Ask for a “big kid bike” (because they always do)
If they’re doing those things, congrats! It’s go-time.
Step 2: Choose the Right Pedal Bike
Don’t grab the first bike you find at the big box store. A heavy, clunky bike will feel like a downgrade from the light, nimble balance bike they love.
Look for:
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Lightweight frame (under 15 lbs is ideal for younger kids)
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No training wheels
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Easy-to-reach hand brakes (so they’re not relying on their feet to stop)
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Low step-over height so they can easily put both feet on the ground
We used the Woom 2 pedal bike for our kids—pricey, yes, but so smooth they all skipped the struggle phase. My fourth born is now riding the same bike we bought my first. I can honestly say, it's the best "learn to ride" bike on the market.
Step 3: Let The Practice Gliding Before They Pedal
This lets them use it just like their balance bike. They’ll get used to the new size and weight without needing to learn anything new. Most kids only need a short time (like 10–15 minutes) before they’re ready to try and pedal, or they just go for it in no time.
Pro tip: you can even remove the pedals at first so they can get use to gliding on the new bike.
Step 4: Practice Pushing Off and Starting
This is the only new skill they’ll need to learn. Most of my boys would start by gliding like they did on the balance bike and start to pedal once they got speed. However, it is important to teach them the below.
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Have them sit on the seat with feet flat on the ground.
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Show them how to “power pedal”—position one pedal up and push off with the other foot.
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Keep your hand lightly on their back, just for support—not to hold them up.
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Encourage them to pedal as soon as they push off.
You’ll probably only need to help them a few times. Once they get one solid launch and feel the momentum, something just clicks.
Step 5: Let Them Go!
Cheer loud and let them ride, what a milestone!
No Tears. No Training Wheels. Just Confidence.
The beauty of the balance bike is that it does the hard work up front. By the time you introduce pedals, your kid is basically just upgrading their ride.
Congrats you've got yourself a pedal bike rider no training wheels
Our Favorite Helmets (That My Kids Actually Keep On)
If I had to pick my top two helmets of the bunch for the tiniest heads, little guys ages 1-3, it would be the Bern Nino and the Woom
Now that my boys are older (age 4 to 11) and also riding skateboards, I've chosen to go with a dual certified helmet for both biking and skateboarding. I've tried multiple and the the Triple 8 has by far been the best. This is the model my older boys wear - Triple Eight Dual Certified Helmet
Here's my top picks overall for kids helmets...
Final Thoughts...
FAQ
Q: What age can a child start a balance bike?
A: As early as 18 months — if they can walk confidently, they can ride!
Q: Should I still buy training wheels “just in case”?
A: Honestly? We never needed them — and they often delay learning.
Q: How do I know when my kid is ready to transition?
A: When they’re confidently gliding with feet up for 5+ seconds — they’ve got the balance part down!