Patrick Van Der Tuin knows bikes. The executive director of nonprofit BWorks, he’s provided cycles and taught biking basics to thousands of St. Louis kids, including his 14-month-old son, who’s already traded the baby walker for two wheels.
Find a Fit
Get a weekly dose of home and style inspiration
Subscribe to the St. Louis Design+Home newsletter to explore the latest stories from the local interior design, fashion, and retail scene.
It might be tempting to give Junior his older brother’s bike. Don’t. Instead, visit a reputable bike shop to find the right fit, considering the wheel size and saddle height. (And don’t forget to grab a helmet.)
Skip the Training Wheels
“You’re teaching kids to teeter back and forth on the bike, and they’re concentrating on the pedaling aspect,” Van Der Tuin says. “That’s the last thing they need to pick up.”
Strike a Balance
Many youngsters begin with balance bikes, without pedals or a drive train. They’ll walk with the bike beneath them—à la Fred Flintstone—and eventually begin to kick faster and coast with both feet off the ground. It’s a similar principle with a full-size bike: Kids can kick their feet, then coast, then kick…going a bit farther each time.
Keep It Fun
“Realize that they might not get it the first day,” Van Der Tuin says. “Stop before it becomes taxing, and they get frustrated with it, so it’s still an enjoyable activity.”
