Written by Penny Shelton, Coalition Community Engagement and Communications Intern
Do you remember the uneasy feeling of balancing on a bike for the first time, the scraped knees, someone cheering you on, and the lightbulb moment when everything clicks?
It all starts with kids.
If we want communities where biking is a normal, enjoyable way to get around, it’s important to get as many kids on bikes as possible. The Coalition recently partnered with Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation to help teach bike lessons to children ages 4–9. The lessons took place over three days and provided children with the opportunity not only to learn the foundational skills but also to discover that biking is a lot of fun and opens them up to a whole new world!
Whether you are teaching your kid how to ride a bike for the first time or helping them build confidence, here are a few tips to aid the process.
Day 1 – Balance & Turning
- Make sure they have a helmet adjusted to fit their head.
- Start on a flat, paved surface, such as an empty parking lot.
- Adjust the seat so that they can comfortably touch the ground.
- Create a balance bike by removing both pedals (and training wheels).
- Ride in a straight line by pushing with both feet, lifting them, and getting a feel for balance.
- Practice turning with chalk lines to follow.
- Create a game to see how long they can glide with their feet off the ground.
Day 2 – Pedals & Movement
- Practice using the balance bike and pushing off with their legs.
- Introduce them to their brakes.
- Put the pedals back on the bike.
- Practice pushing off the ground and finding the pedals.
- Show them the pedal-start position, with their dominant foot on the pedal and the other foot pushing off the ground.
Day 3 – Put It Together
- Remind them how to brake and review the pedal-start position.
- Practice pedaling in a straight line.
- Guide them as they learn to turn and pedal at the same time.
- Practice wide turns while pedaling using chalk lines.
- Go on a ride with them so they can get used to sustained pedaling.
- Watch as they feel exhilarated and empowered! 😁
This three-day process allows children to retain the skills needed to ride a bike by learning them separately before putting them all together. Separating the learning into sequential days also encourages muscle memory and gives the brain a much-needed break from learning something hard.
Learning how to ride a bike is about more than grasping a new skill; it’s about building confidence, encouraging independence, and gaining the ability to explore your community in a new way. We’re grateful to Harrisonburg Parks & Recreation for including us in their lessons. Seeing young riders discover the joy of biking reminds us why this work matters.
