A Beginner's Guide To Balance Bikes
Balance bikes are made with adventurous toddlers in mind. These vehicles sport a unique design and come with a host of perks for toddlers. Keep reading to learn more, then visit Bartels' Harley-Davidson to shop balance bikes for sale. Our dealership is located in Marina Del Rey, California. We also proudly serve those in Malibu and Santa Monica, California.
What Are Balance Bikes?
Also known as striders or gliders, balance bikes are a type of two-wheeled vehicle. They are built low to the ground and lack pedals.
Who Can Use A Balance Bike?
Toddlers are the main users of balance bikes. Some toddlers can begin using a balance bike as early as two years old.
What Is The Purpose Of A Balance Bike?
Balance bikes provide the opportunity to practice steering and balance before transitioning to a standard pedal bicycle. Toddlers can focus on fewer bike-related skills at one time, which makes the learning process much easier.
What Are The Benefits Of Balance Bikes?
Toddlers can gain many unique benefits from riding balance bikes.
Exercise
It takes physical effort to ride a balance bike. Toddlers use their legs to push off of the ground, their core to stay balanced, and their arms to steer. Balance bikes can provide a great outlet for all that toddler energy and make exercise fun!
Cost Effective
A balance bike is not another plastic toy that will quickly break. It can last many years, making it a wise financial investment.
Even when your toddler transitions to a standard pedal bicycle, they may still want to ride the balance bike at the BMX track or backyard.
Once your toddler is done with the balance bike, you can pass it on to a younger family member or neighbor or even sell it.
Plus, balance bikes often empower toddlers to skip the tricycle and bicycle-with-training wheels stages, which means you won't need to buy those vehicles.
Easy Transportation
The lack of pedals makes it easy to store a balance bike in a car - or even some stroller baskets.
Outdoor Time
Balance bikes are used outside, which means it'll be even easier to get your toddler out and about in nature.
Family Time
Toddlers can cruise along at a decent speed on a balance bike. Siblings and adults can walk or bike alongside them, which lends itself well to a family outing.
Supports Other Development-Related Areas
As toddlers ride balance bikes, they are building other skills too.
For example:
- They learn to avoid obstacles, which boosts spatial awareness.
- They learn to turn corners, which supports motor planning.
- They learn to balance and move, which activates the vestibular system.
Fun
It's simple - riding a balance bike is a blast for a toddler!
What Should Parents Look For In A Balance Bike?
Make sure the model is the right height for your toddler. A toddler should be able to firmly plant their feet on the ground and push off.
It's also important to get the right tire size. Smaller tires that are around 12 inches are best for younger riders and shorter riders.
Ready to shop balance bikes for sale? Check out the selection at Bartels' Harley-Davidson. Our dealership is based in Marina Del Rey, California, and we also serve those in Malibu and Santa Monica.