When kids learn to ride a bike, having training wheels removed often feels like an exciting milestone. However, many parents now choose to skip those extra wheels altogether by introducing balance bikes right from the start. Some of these pedal-free bikes can even be used by children as young as 10 months old.
How Balance Bikes Work
Unlike traditional bikes with training wheels, balance bikes place the focus on developing stability and coordination first. Because they have no pedals or training wheels, children use their feet to scoot, helping them learn how to balance on two wheels naturally. Once they get comfortable balancing, they can lift their feet and start coasting, often making the later transition to a pedal bike smoother.
“Then you bring in steering, braking, and when the child is ready and confident, you bring in pedaling,” says James Beechinor, president of bike brand Early Rider’s U.S. division. “When they get to (the cruising) stage, the transition to pedaling is really not that difficult.”
Research-Backed Advantages
A 2022 study from researchers in The Netherlands, published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, suggests that practicing on a balance bike is linked to an earlier age of independent cycling compared to starting on a traditional bike with training wheels. The study points out that balance bikes encourage children to actively maintain balance, which can accelerate learning.
Another 2022 study from Portugal, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, highlights the broader mental and physical benefits for young kids who start cycling early. These advantages include healthier weight management, improved motor skills, and better social and emotional development.
Balance Bike Market Trends
Although balance bikes have been around for decades, they currently make up only about 1% of the kids’ bike market in 2024, according to Beechinor. Yet sales are steadily increasing. While the overall children’s bike market dropped about 6% over the last year, balance bike sales rose by about 3%. You can now find a variety of models in stores and online, with prices starting around $50.
Beyond Riding Skills
Proponents of balance bikes argue that these little two-wheelers offer more than just an easier path to pedaling:
Physical Benefits: Improved balance, coordination, and core strength.
Mental Benefits: Increased confidence and independence as kids master new skills.
Social Development: Opportunities for fun, interactive play with friends and family.
Is a Balance Bike Right for Your Child?
If you’re looking for a fun, straightforward approach to teaching your child how to ride a bike, a balance bike could be a great fit. By learning to coast and steer without the safety net of training wheels, kids naturally develop the coordination and confidence they need to transition to a pedal bike—often without the wobbly learning curve that comes with training wheels.