How Do Balance Bikes Work And Are They Worth It?

If you’re looking to buy a bike that teaches your kids the core skill of mastering a bike, then a balance bike should be your first choice.

But, what are they? Balance bikes have a much lighter and smaller frame and notably do not come with pedals. They are fast becoming the favourite choice for parents looking to introduce their kids to the world of cycling.

How do they help your toddlers learn to ride a bike? Are they worth the money? We’ll answer all your questions here.

Learning how to balance

If you remember your first time riding a bike, one of the first hurdles you encountered was balancing. The act of veering from one side to the other just to keep your bike upright was a scary feeling as a child.

Having your child learn on a balance bike, they can easily learn and adapt to balancing on a bike making the transition from a balance bike to a standard pushbike much easier. This is because balance bikes are generally designed to be more intuitive for kids. There are minimal instructions needed and they can progress at their own pace. They can essentially pick one up and start using it straight away.

How do balance bikes work?

Balance bikes encourage your child to make small corrections to stay balanced, which include adjusting their body position to help find their centre of gravity. This is one of the, if not the most important skills to have when riding a bike. Over time this will be stored as muscle memory and your child will be zooming past you on their balance bike.

What makes the balance bike different?

Purpose-built balance bikes like our Vuly balance bikes are designed so the rider can walk or scoot around. The natural progression you will see your child have with a riding bike is. Walking, running, striding and gliding. When they start to feel more comfortable you’ll notice your child taking longer strides relying less on their feet to keep the bike upright. This is why it is such a popular option for parents, it improves their child's motor skills and cooridination. Some models of balance bikes even come with a footrest to make their riding experience more comfortable.

Are balance bikes worth the money?

The main advantage of buying a balance bike is that once your kids master the art of balancing, they can move straight onto the bikes with pedals. There’s no rush moving them onto a standard push, let them grow out of it before making your next purchase. If you're looking for a premium balance bike for your child, check out our range of balance bikes.