Balance Bikes
Table of Contents
Introduction
These are bikes without pedals. In some countries they are common for teaching toddlers how to balance without the complication or frustration of learning to use pedals.
These are generally made for toddlers up to 7-8 year old riders, and some sources claim that they are better than relying on training wheels because "Training wheels significantly delay a child’s ability and desire to ride a bike. Balance bikes teach toddlers and kids how to ride while balanced, whereas training wheels teach how to ride while unbalanced.
Bikes with training wheels tilt to one side, creating a false sense of balance. In order to ride without the training wheels, a child must “unlearn” how to ride unbalanced and then learn how to ride while balanced." - Two Wheeling Tots
Striders: Toddlers on Bikes with No Pedals Inventing Tricks
1:07 minute video.
The Denver Post - These young athletes are preparing for the “Toddler Tour de France” a world champion strider bike race.
Pros & Cons of Balance Bikes
Pros
Safer & More Comfortable Learning Experience
Balance bikes are light which makes them safe for little ones and easier than bikes to transport.
They can teach balance and other skills before the complex skill of pedaling.
Learning to stop safely before learning to pedal.
Environmental & Economical
Less parts than traditional bikes mean less resources are needed to make them, and there are less parts that may need repair.
Sturdy build means these can be passed on to younger siblings and other kids.
Cons
Wasteful If Not Passed On
These are aimed at young children, specifically for those who can't pedal yet. This means they might not be used as long, and the environmental benefit of the hand-me-down system only works when they are actually passed on, instead of thrown out or hoarded in an attic or garage after only one kid.
Where to Use Striders
Striders can be used anywhere that walking or cycling is done. This can include sidewalks/paths, bike lanes, roadways (preferably with low speeds and low traffic flow), parks, cycle parks, greenways and green belts, or general walk and cycle trails.
Similar Options
Striders combine walking and traditional bike design. However there are a few alternatives in addition to walking or bikes that could also provide similar benefits.
Bikes
Bikes come in all sizes, and an adult bike can be fitted with specialized baby seats that attach to the front or back of the bike. As kids get bigger, you can switch them to a baby trailer or a trailer bike. A trailer bike is similar to a normal bike, but instead of a front wheel and handlebars, it has a rigid section that attaches to the seat post of a bigger bike. These are a fun, safe way for kids to get used to pedaling without learning to balance.
Trikes
Trikes are often seen as training-devices to help kids learn to ride bikes, but they can be appropriate alternatives for kids or adults with physical disabilities, inner-ear problems or neurological issues such as seizures. They can safely transport groceries, backpacks, pets, or even children on the rear basket or foot bar.
Walking
Roller Skates
Roller and inline skates require better balance than just walking, but the wheels make this a faster mode of transport once past the learning stage. In addition to a helmet, anyone using this mode of transportation should also use knee and elbow pads to prevent joint injuries.
Skateboarding
Traditional skateboards relied on Canadian Maple and other types of wood, contributing to deforestation, however companies are now switching to alternatives including bamboo and trash to build eco-friendly boards that'll help keep our planet cool when you choose skateboarding over car rides.
Safety Tips
Eco-friendly traveling can require us to consider things we might not have worried about before. Letting kids travel to school on their own can be scary for us adults, but sometimes our fears aren't reflected by the data. For example some people worry about their kids being safe from strangers when out on their bikes, but studies found that girls with bikes were safer than girls without access to bikes, because they could move more freely and faster than children on foot.
Similarly people assume cars keep their kids safe, but the data shows most travel-related deaths being linked to drivers of cars.
Whether you walk or ride with your kid, or let them travel alone, children will be safer if you:
Establish rules and boundaries. Let them know if there is a road they can't pass, this boundary should expand as their become more reliable. Tell them if there is a time they need to be home by, and who to go to if they can't get home or another emergency happens.
If your mode of travel requires safety gear like a helmet or knee pads, make sure these fit properly and that children know they have to wear them every time they want to ride or roll. Click here to learn about properly fitting a helmet and basic bike-safety tips.
Travel around with them before letting them go out alone. Young children need to learn with a trusted adult how to safely cross a road, where important land marks are (the park or library for example), this can help them avoid getting lost.
Make a plan for you child in case they get lost. This should include an up-to date photo of your child, as well as making sure they know who to ask for help, such as a shop clerk or police officer.
Get involved in your community's safety programs.
How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bike Helmet "Riding a bicycle is an excellent way for kids to spend time outdoors getting exercise. It's also an Earth friendly way to get around. Falls from bicycles cause serious head and facial injuries, though, so make sure your child wears a helmet for every ride.
Here are tips on how to help your child get into the habit."
General Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Don't feel like you have to change 100% of your habits immediately. If you don't usually walk or cycle, then start with one day a week, or just mornings or just afternoons, then build your muscles. Slowly challenge yourself to do more, or choose transport mode according to where else you will need to go on a given day, or with respect to weather conditions.
Try a test trip to places like school or your doctor's office before your scheduled visit. This will let you know if you need to add more time for to cross at intersections, or if a short cut through a park will let you cut off a few minutes that would have been spent sitting in traffic with your regular drive.
Bring water and a snack for long trips.
Wear appropriate protection. A sun hat or cap, umbrella, rain coat, and appropriate shoes or warm clothes can make the difference between a fun journey and extreme discomfort. Check the weather in case a cold front or storm hit in the afternoon.
Use map or app if you are in a new place.
Take breaks! This is especially important if you have a smaller child, or one of you isn't used to the new mode of travel.
Resources
History & Size Info
Veronica Alfaro: Toy Analysis Strider Bikes Includes photos and a size chart to help you pick the right size strider for your child.
Community
NACTO: Urban Street Design Guide "A blueprint for designing 21st century streets, the Guide unveils the toolbox and the tactics cities use to make streets safer, more livable, and more economically vibrant. The Guide outlines both a clear vision for complete streets and a basic road map for how to bring them to fruition."
School Zones
Safe Kids: Take Action Toolkit: How to Fix Unsafe School an Zone in Your Community "Find strategies, advocacy tips, model documents, and resources provided by our Public Policy team to help you work in your communityto make safety changes to your school zone. Changes covered in ouraction plans can improve safety for pedestrians, bike riders and all of us near schools.You can learn more about child safety risks in our report, "Alarming Dangers in School Zones," which led to the development of our Take Action Toolkit."
Family & Friends
How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bike Helmet "Riding a bicycle is an excellent way for kids to spend time outdoors getting exercise. It's also an Earth friendly way to get around. Falls from bicycles cause serious head and facial injuries, though, so make sure your child wears a helmet for every ride.
Here are tips on how to help your child get into the habit."
Organizations
For bike-specific organizations, click the Bike Advocacy Groups button to learn which organizations are working in your area, or explore the International section for resource on how to start your own group.
International
Strider: Request a Donation "In our quest to inspire kids to ride on two wheels, Strider Sports Intl, Inc. proudly supports many worthy causes and charitable organizations. Please use this Donation Request Form to inquire about a Strider Bike or product donation.
If you are a non-profit organization or school and plan on using bikes in your youth programming, please visit the Strider Education Foundation at AllKidsBike.org. Strider Sports International is a proud supporter of the Strider Education Foundation (SEF), an organization committed to giving everyone the opportunity to ride, regardless of their physical, mental, or financial abilities."
TUMI "supports transport projects all around the world and enables policy makers to transform urban mobility. TUMI is based on three pilars: innovation, knowledge, investment. We support innovative pilot projects around the whole world. We share knowledge with planners about modern mobility concepts, in workshops and conferences. We invest in construction and modernisation of sustainable urban infrastructure."
Working Bikes "gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities. Since its inception in 1999, the amazing community of Working Bikes volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters have enabled new life for 100,000 bicycles across the globe and tens of thousands here in Chicago. Over one hundred thousand people have been empowered to access resources and opportunities that otherwise could have been out of reach - reducing waste, lessening pollution, and improving health in the process. Working Bikes is located in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, and is a 501(c)(3) organization."
Europe
UK
Cycling UK "is ensuring that more than 300 youngsters will discover the gift of cycling this year after donating 41 balance bikes to schools in the Alton area of Hampshire."
Getting the Balance "was created after the incredible success of our Charity Bike Build. The charity Home-Start approached us, to see if we could provide something similar for their younger children.
The event contributes to their health and wellbeing project, with the aim of reducing pollution on the school run through donations of balance bikes and scooters to families living in poverty, disability or mental health difficulties.
Working in teams, Getting the Balance will see your participants facing head-to-head challenges to earn the parts to win your bike and scooter parts. Both cerebral and physical challenges, there’s a challenge for everyone!
The exercise a school run gives a child, helps to boost and support their mental health, with schools commenting that children arrive ready to learn, if they’ve already had exercise before they arrive."Wheels for All "Balance & child’s bike donation"
England
Cycling UK "is ensuring that more than 300 youngsters will discover the gift of cycling this year after donating 41 balance bikes to schools in the Alton area of Hampshire."
Scotland
The Balance Bike Project "is all about the balance bikes which we’d love to provide to all nurseries in the City of Edinburgh."
North America
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) "NACTO’s mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life."
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.
Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. Communities are recognized for working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.
USA
All Kids Bike "Bike riding is a key developmental milestone for children
We’re on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bike in kindergarten PE class."National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Strider: Request a Donation "In our quest to inspire kids to ride on two wheels, Strider Sports Intl, Inc. proudly supports many worthy causes and charitable organizations. Please use this Donation Request Form to inquire about a Strider Bike or product donation.
If you are a non-profit organization or school and plan on using bikes in your youth programming, please visit the Strider Education Foundation at AllKidsBike.org. Strider Sports International is a proud supporter of the Strider Education Foundation (SEF), an organization committed to giving everyone the opportunity to ride, regardless of their physical, mental, or financial abilities." More information here
Alabama
O's Cool Bike Foundation "It is our mission through O's Cool Bike Foundation that we provide as many balance bikes to younger, lower income children in the Troy, Alabama/Pike County area as possible. To accomplish this, a memorial bike ride will be held every year at the end of April to celebrate Owen's life. This initiative will allow Owen to ride on forever through the children in our community and provide many benefits to the children of Pike Co. Alabama in his name."
Illinois
Working Bikes "gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities. Since its inception in 1999, the amazing community of Working Bikes volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters have enabled new life for 100,000 bicycles across the globe and tens of thousands here in Chicago. Over one hundred thousand people have been empowered to access resources and opportunities that otherwise could have been out of reach - reducing waste, lessening pollution, and improving health in the process. Working Bikes is located in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, and is a 501(c)(3) organization."
Indiana
Riders for Striders "funds Inclusive learn-to-bike program to help kids with intellectual disabilities" "GiGi’s Playhouse, which serves children in Indianapolis with Down Syndrome, will be a recipient of the program."
Michigan
Balance Bike Club "is for riders ages 2–5. For the Balance Bike Club, Norte partners with schools to deliver in-school programs and offers after-school group lessons in the spring and fall. In addition, we invite these early riders to ride on the skills tracks at Norte's Clubhouse in Traverse City and the Chain Hub in Elk Rapids during the summer."
South Dakota
Strider Education Foundation "a South Dakota nonprofit corporation with a primary purpose of distributing Strider Bikes to children with mental, physical, or financial challenges, through organizations committed to teaching them how to ride."
Pennsylvania
Free Ride Bicycle Collective "is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to enable people of all ages to obtain, recycle and maintain bicycles. We aim to enhance the health of our community and environment by promoting bicycle transportation.
Free Ride is governed by our Collective Council of volunteer members interested in helping sustain and improve the organization. Community members can become volunteers, staffers, or council members. Ask one of our staff about these options!"
Texas
CASA Speaks 4 Kids: Donated Bikes for Kids in Foster Care "accept[s] donations of bikes that are in like-new condition. If you have a bike or know of someone that may have a bike they would be interested in donating, please contact us and we will coordinate. We will accept all kinds of bikes but are especially seeking tricycles, balance bikes, and boys’ bikes with 16” wheels."
Maps
North America
USA
All Kids Bike scroll down on page to see where these educational programs are being held.
Walk Friendly Community Map "A Walk Friendly Community is a city or town that has shown a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans, and policies. Communities apply to the program to receive recognition in the form of a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation. [With this map] you can sort and view profiles for communities that have been designated since the program began in 2011."
Washington
Explore the Walkability of DC Neighborhoods (Interactive) "Select a neighborhood to learn more about who lives in that community"
Funding & Grants
North America
USA
Michigan
Balance Bike Club "is for riders ages 2–5. For the Balance Bike Club, Norte partners with schools to deliver in-school programs and offers after-school group lessons in the spring and fall. In addition, we invite these early riders to ride on the skills tracks at Norte's Clubhouse in Traverse City and the Chain Hub in Elk Rapids during the summer." "Norte is proud to provide youth scholarships to ensure that all families can participate in our programs. We encourage educators to apply for scholarships based on their expected funding needs. "
Further Reading
You may also be interested in the following.