What’s the best age to teach a child to ride a bike?

"What age should I teach my child to ride a bike?" is something we get asked a lot here at Cycle Sprog.

Unfortunately, I can't give you a specific date when your child will be ready to learn to pedal - every child is different. However, there are some guidelines that will be helpful.

What's the earliest age a child can learn to ride a bike?

You may well have seen a child on Instagram or TikTok racing around on their pedal bike and doing tricks by the age of 2.

If you're really unlucky the child in question could be a relative, friend or neighbour!

This might make you think that your child should be able to pedal at a similarly young age.

Perhaps you are feeling stressed that they're not riding a pedal bike, and wondering what you have done wrong?

Please, please just relax!

Riding a pedal bike competently at a very young age (for example 2 or 3 years old) is not the norm, so please don't compare your child to other children.

In general, most children are at least 4 years old when they start to gain all the skills needed to pedal successfully. There are three reasons for this:

~ Physicality      By the age of four, most children will have the strength needed to learn to ride

~ Maturity        Usually the children will be better able to follow guidance and instructions

~ Motivation     Again, they will have seen others/their friends doing it, and actually want to learn

BUT that is just a guideline.  Some children will be ready much earlier, and some much later.

It's no reflection on them, their future cycling ability, or your success as a parent if your child isn't ready to pedal just yet.

It's no reflection on them, on their future cycling ability, or your success as a parent, if your child isn't ready to pedal just yet.

Have I left it too late to teach my child to learn to ride a bike?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

It's NEVER, EVER too late to learn to ride a bike.

Whether your child is 8 years, 10 years, 12 years or older NOW is the perfect time to teach them this wonderful life skill.  In fact, you could teach granny to cycle at the same time!

An older child may well have the physical and mental maturity to learn to ride a bike much more quickly than a younger child.

Be aware that sometimes issues of self confidence and peer pressure can cause anxiety or nervousness (both in the learner and the teacher!)

Take your time, remove any pressure and let them set the pace.

My child has additional needs - when can I teach them to ride a bike?

Every child is different, so there's no hard and fast rule for when, or if, a child with additional needs will learn to pedal.

Some children are able to use a balance bike, but struggle with the transition to pedals.

Some children may be able to use pedals but not balance, meaning stabilisers or a trike are a great idea.

Do please read our article Cycling with older kids who have a disability or special needs for more advice.

Other articles you might be interested in:

• 5 questions YOU should answer before teaching your child to ride a bike
• Choosing the best balance bike for your child; 2022
• How to measure your child's head for a bike helmet
• Should my child wear a bike helmet?
• How to easily measure your child for a new bike