My little boy is just reaching the point this year when he was ready to ride a “big boy” bike. He’s been tooling around the cul-de-sac on other toys and kids’ vehicles, but it was finally time for him to learn to ride his own bike.
We wanted to make sure that he had the best bike to learn to ride on so we headed out to choose a Schwinn. I grew up riding Schwinn bikes, so I know how well they are built, and I’d recently read about the cool new SmartStart bike they’ve designed so I knew it would be perfect for my son.
The Schwinn Burnout SmartStart Bike is the perfect bike for a new rider because it was designed specially for with a child’s proportions in mind. The handle grips are smaller, the seat is angled more comfortably, and the pedals are closer together. The result is a bike that makes it easier for children to pedal and steer. When children are more comfortable on their bikes, they’re more interested in learning to ride.
The Schwinn SmartStart bike is light-weight for more stability and is safer because it wobbles less. The 16-inch wheel size is the standard learn-to-ride size, so the bike’s features are all perfect for new little bike riders. Once the child grows, the SmartStart seat is designed to raise up at an angle so the distance to the handle bars increases along with the child’s reach.
Like all Schwinn bikes, SmartStart bikes have a limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own the bike
Schwinn has been the go-to resource for the recreational bike rider since 1895. When your child is ready to learn to ride, be sure to head to your local Toys”R”Us store to check out their selection of bikes and helmets.
Tips for Teaching a Child to Ride a Bike
Choose the Proper Size
Do not buy a bike that your child can ‘grow into’. You want your child to be able to safely and comfortably ride and stop, so choose a bike size that allows the child to stand over the top bar with both feet flat on the ground.
Safety First
Make sure that your child wears a bike helmet each and every time he rides. The helmet should sit level on the head and should be no more than 1 inch above the eyebrows. If the helmet moves back and forth or falls forward when the child moves, the fit may need to be adjusted or another helmet size may be needed.
Start on Safe Ground
Find a large, flat, smooth area where there is no traffic, like an empty parking lot or driveway. Help the child pedal in a slow, straight line until he is able to pedal himself. It may take a while for your child to be able to start from a full stop, so be prepared to give him a little push to get going.
Turning and Steering
Once the child is able to move forward, encourage her to start large, slow turns. You can walk along beside her and show her where to go or set up a fun course for her to follow with cones. As she starts to get the hand of turning, make the turns a little smaller and let her try weaving back and forth through the cones.
Stopping
Don’t forget to have your child practice using the brake. As they start learning to ride, many children put their feet down to slow and stop themselves, but need to know how to use the brakes later when they’re going faster. Show your child how to use both the pedal brake and the rear hand brake if the bike has one.
Oh so hard to get the kids to get confident and ride like the wind
great tips thanks
Good tips, and I love the better beginner features of the bike!
these are great tips. thanks for sharing
great tips! Id love to have a bike for my daughter.
It sounds as though Schwinn has made a lot of great adjustments to design a bike perfect for new riders.
What a great bike. I love the helmet too. Cute kid!
Such a great brand! As I was reading my Son noticed the helmet and said “Oh thats sick!” LOL@ kids language nowadays!
I remember these days so well. Looking forward to experiencing it again!
Great tips. I wished my mom would know this when I was a kid 🙂
Awesome tips, thank you very much.
The chart is good advice. The bike looks fun.
I agree completely with it all!
Sure would love to win. Great bike & helmet. I have 3 grandsons. 10, 5 & 2. None of them know how to ride a bike yet.
Great tips thanks
These are some great tips. Thanks for sharing.
These are great tips cause I don’t think a lot of parents know exactly how to teach their kids!
Those are great tips, especially the one about not buying a bicycle your child can grow into. I’m sure many of us older moms were guilty of that when there weren’t as many options to buy.
Always make sure they have a helmet and never push them too hard.
Great tips thank you!
My son is 10yrs old with special needs & it has been a major challenge teaching him to ride a bike. There is so much coordination involved & therefore we just break it down into the smallest steps for him.
Great tips, and what a great bike! I love the idea of a specially designed beginner bike-I learned on an older sibling’s, and I’d certainly like my kids to have something a bit better suited to them!
Good tips for youngsters. Biking is such a fun and healthy activity.
The Schwinn SmartStart bike sounds great! I’m glad they designed it specifically for children. Thanks for sharing the great tips.
This bike sounds wonderful and one that is perfect for my grandson to learn on. Thanks for the great tips….
I wish I could have entered.
The bike looks fun.
Interesting tips. bookmarking
Good advice
So many great tips and what a great sweeps that was! I will cherish my dad teaching me to ride my bike forever!
These are great tips. We are hoping to teach our two boys to ride a bike this summer. Thank you!
We recently went to a Health & Safety fair which had a course for children to ride their bikes through. An officer had put together a list of bike safety rules. Children need to learn them and many adults may need a refresher. I know I did.
What a great bike. I love the helmet too.
Great tips! My son learned how to ride a bike quickly while it took my daughter a few months as she was so nervous,
My daughter could benefit from the starter bike, She’s scared to learn.
Great advice. I remember learning to ride my first bike. My dad held on for about five steps and then let go. I went zooming along and have loved it ever since. 🙂
The Schwinn bicycle certainly seems like a very good choice for a beginner rider. It’s great that they’ve designed it to grow with your child too! Thanks for sharing all your great tips 🙂
looks like an awesome bike. all great tips
Handy tips for my grandson!
Thank you!
Great tips. This would make it easier for my sister to learn.
This is such a great handy guide to teach your kids!
Excellent advice, I think a Schwinn bike would be perfect for my new rider.
I cant wait till my little guy is ready, thank you for the tips I surewill use them!!
Some really good tips. Riding a bike for the first time is daunting for them
Excellent tips. Will be doing soon with my daughter.
These were really good tips and I agree the safety helmet and safe ground are very important! My daughter would have loved this Smart Bike when she was young and learning to ride!
Make sure you teach on correct size bike