First Bike Canada

Strider Balance Bike

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaNot all bikes are created equal, and a bike is not just a bike, especially a child’s first bike. You might ask yourself what all the hype about Stride Balance Bikes is, and First Bike is here to let you know how important these bikes are becoming in the little ones lives.
Strider Balance Bikes are designed for the child to balance and power the bike with their feet. There are no pedals and the intent of the bike is to be a safe, first bike for children old enough to walk. Children between the heights of 20 to 44 inches are best suited for the bike, however, the seat is adjustable and there is some leeway.
Strider Bikes are designed to help the child develop their coordination, motor skills, confidence and balance. The bike weighs seven pounds and is the appearance of a two wheel bike. The Strider Balance Bike has no chains, sprockets, pedals or protrusions and is built to last.
Strider Balance Bikes are the ideal bike to grow with your child and pave the way for years of biking experiences. The Strider Balance Bike is much safer than a tricycle that has a high rate in tips and crashes and the child can start the mobility experience much sooner.
Children as young as one year old are equipped to ride Strider Balance Bikes and these bikes help the child with motor skills and coordination. The best part about Strider Balance Bikes? They are perfect for indoor riding, as well as, outdoor riding! Visit First Bike for more information or with questions you may have in regards to Strider Balance Bikes.

Strider On!

Strider Bike

2012-02-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaResponsibility never ends as a parent, and it is one of the best parts of parenthood. Choosing your child’s first bike or graduated bike is never easy. There are many bikes on the market, and you might ask yourself why a Strider Bike?
Strider Bike is a balance bike that is safe and best suited for children between the heights of 20 to 44 inches. The bike is light at seven pounds and easy to navigate. There are no pedals on the bike, so the child balances and powers the bike by their feet.
What is the Advantage of Strider Bikes?
The advantage of a Strider Bike is that the child learns to balance and gains the confidence without the hazard of a traditional bike. Motor skills are developed and bike basics are learned in a safe manner.
The bike is designed to be safe with no chains, cables, pedals, sprockets, or protrusions and it is durable. With Strider Bikes the child can start to learn indoors and graduate to the outdoors.
As your child continues their growth with the Strider Bike, they will be paving the way for their first bike with pedals, and much more coordinated to safely ride the bike. Strider Bikes help the child to develop motor skills and coordination, balance and strength, and are considered to be a good first bike for all children as young as one year old.
There is nothing better than experiencing your child and their first bike, and these are memories that last a lifetime. First Bike is here to help with any questions and to guide you to the bike that is best for your child.

Strider On!

Toddlers First Bike!

2012-02-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

The adventure of wheels for children is an adventure that lasts a lifetime. Children typically do not outgrow their bikes until they get their driver’s license. The relationship of the child and their bike is one that a child experiences once so it should start properly from the toddlers first bike.
Parents have different options for a toddlers first bike. There is the tricycle and there are balance bikes. So, what is the best choice? Honestly, the best choice for a first bike is the balance bike. As soon as a child can walk, they can ride a balance bike. There have been so many tip overs with tricycles that you begin to question their safety. Balance bikes do not have pedals, therefore, the child must sit on the bike and operate it my moving their feet. The bike is designed just like a two wheeler only it is much closer to the ground and pedals are not included in the design of the bike. For the toddler, it is a form of transportation and mobility.
It is often hard for a parent to determine the best age for the toddlers first bike. Children often run into things with the trikes which can be quite dangerous, not to mention those treacherous tips that can send a child and parent into agony for some time. Balance bikes are powered by the child’s feet so there is definitely less chance of a collision.
The first bike for a child should be a bike that is best for the child and safety is a priority.

Strider On!

Balance Bike: The Right Decision for a First Bike

2012-02-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Concerned parents often contemplate what the best bike for their child’s first bike. A balance bike is definitely a choice that many parents consider is the right choice. Often, parents opt for trikes, which can be a danger in themselves as they are not tip resistant. For parents that are not aware of what a balance bike is FirstBike.ca provides a little information to acquaint you.
Balance bikes are the safest choice in a first bike and one that children can ride as soon as they learn to walk because the bikes have no pedals, and the design of the balance bike is a smaller version of a two wheel bike. With balance bikes, the child sits on the seat of the bike and balances and powers the bike with their feet and legs and controls where they are going through the handlebars.
The nice thing about the balance bike is that it is great for indoor riding as well as outdoor riding. Children must be supervised at all times, however, as they can quickly scoot away.
Whatever your choice in a first bike for your child, you definitely should take the child and safety into consideration. Your child should be ready for a bike, which is why balance bikes are such a great choice in a first bike. Balance bikes are appropriate for any child that can walk, and the bike helps the child to become mobile faster and more prepared for their graduation to a bike with wheels. Balance bikes are unisex and affordable and come in all the colors of the rainbow making it possible for children to have their favorite color in their first bike.
Strider On!

The Glory of the Child’s First Bike

2012-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

A child’s first bike is a freedom that they enjoy for years and learning to ride the bike is one of the first glories a child can remember. It is a special moment and parents have different options to choose in the child’s first bike.
There are different things to consider and you should start with your child’s age and their abilities.
Color: Your child’s favorite color should definitely be the color of the bike.
Accessories: Nothing beats the sound of your child barreling down the hall or on the sidewalk ringing the bell on their bike, with an excitement and spirit that only a child possess. Accessories should be included with your child’s bike that gives the bike a personalized touch.
There are many different types of bikes to choose from and finding a first bike for your child should be something that is given some thought. FirstBike.ca provides the answers that parents need to help with the selection of a child’s first set of wheels. First bikes are a magical time for children, as well as, the parents.

Strider On!

The Perfect Choice for Stress Free Bike Lessons

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaPart of having kids is the eventual role that you will fill as a bicycle riding teacher. And while it's fun when you finally see your child take off on her own bike for that first ride, the entire process can be stressful too. Traditional bicycles with training wheels don't always make it easy for kids to learn to ride. But Strider bikes are the perfect choice for teaching young children how to ride a two wheeler.

What Are Strider Bikes?

You might hear Strider bikes called balance bikes, or pre-bikes. All of these names are for the same type of bike: one that is built low to the ground, without a pedal, chain or gears, and custom made to teach smaller children how to balance and ride a bike without all the stress that traditional bikes are notorious for.

Here's why Strider bikes are the perfect choice for little children:

-No training wheels. For a long time people have been struggling with training wheels. They simply don't do a great job of teaching kids to balance on a bike, and they often instill a false sense of confidence that soon diminishes the minute a child tries to ride without them.
-No pedaling. Pedaling is difficult to learn. It's even harder when kids are trying to master it at the same time as they are balancing and steering their bikes. Strider bikes teach kids to scoot along and use their own feet and innate sense of balance. They build up momentum by coasting along, so they're free to concentrate on balancing and steering, without pedaling at all.

As you can see, Strider bikes are a pretty revolutionary take on the traditional bicycle. But don't let that throw you; kids actually learn to ride quicker and are more enthusiastic about bike riding in general, when they start off learning to ride on their Strider Bikes.

The First Bike Helmet: Proper Fit is Crucial

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaIf you're like me, you probably grew up in a time when kids weren't required to wear helmets to ride their bicycles. Thankfully, we now live in an age where safety is more of a priority. And one of the most important things you can do to keep your child safe while riding is to ensure that they are wearing a protective helmet. However, when you get your child that first bike helmet, make it fit well for the ultimate in safety while riding.

Sizing Considerations

It's not enough for a helmet to simply sit atop a child's head for it to offer the maximum protection against accidents and injuries. A helmet must fit properly. Here are a few things to think about when purchasing a child's first bike helmet:

-Easy to adjust. Look for helmets that have an easy adjusting system, like True Fit. This technology allows you to custom fit the helmet to the child's head, with one simple adjustment. And when your child gets a bit bigger, you can easily adjust the helmet to fit properly.
-Line of vision. It's important for your child to have a clear line of vision when wearing his/her helmet. Don't place the helmet on your child's head in such a way that their field of vision will be blocked or obscured.
-Comfort. For a helmet to fit well, it has to be comfortable for the child. If your child complains of a helmet being too tight, or too loose, you'll either need to get a new helmet, or adjust the current one to a more comfortable, yet safe, fit.

Keep these tips in mind when you are buying the first bike helmet, make it fit right and you'll be ensuring a safe, enjoyable riding experience for your child.

Making the First Bike Ride a Happy Experience

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaChildhood is a time for firsts: the first smile, those first words and steps, and then, later on, the first bicycle ride. All of these times are special for both parents and children. But it may be that the first bike ride is one of the most landmark experiences of a child's life. They are moving and controlling where they go – all by themselves – for the very first time. Naturally, then, all of us parents think that the first bike experience should be a happy one.

Unfortunately, many children have a hard time learning to ride on larger, conventional bikes with training wheels. Yes, these types of bikes have been the de facto tools for learning to ride, but in recent years a new alternative, called the balance bike, has arrived on the scene to make the first bike experience more pleasant for both kids and their parents.

Since we all agree that the first bike experience should be a happy one, let's look at how Strider balance bikes ensure that those first experiences are more enjoyable.

-No pedaling. For kids pedaling, especially while trying to balance and steer, can be extremely frustrating. Since balance bikes remove the pedals from the experience entirely, there is one less frustration for kids to deal with.
-Easier balancing. Kids stride along using their own feet on balance bikes. There are no training wheels, so kids develop balance more intuitively and on their own. Without relying on training wheels, small children develop balance on their own, and have no false confidence in their training wheels to keep them balanced.

The Strider balance bikes are made to teach young children the basics of riding – balance, steering and controlling the bike – without cumbersome training wheels and complicated pedaling. The end result is a happy experience for children, as they learn how to ride a bike for the very first time.

First Bike Ride: Indoors or Outside?

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Parents have a few decisions to make when they are teaching their kids to ride bikes. I can remember teaching each of my kids to ride, and how each scenario was a bit different. One thing that was the same for all of them, though, was in regard to the location for that first bike ride: Indoors or outside? That was the question.

So Which is Better for the First Bike Ride, Indoors or Outside?

Each has their own pros and cons, let's take at both scenarios.

Indoor Bike Riding

Teaching kids to ride a bike inside offers children a feeling of more security. Those first attempts at riding, in an environment where kids are already comfortable and familiar, can be less frightening for younger kids. And since there are no pedestrians, animals or other riders inside, there are less distractions.

However, it should be noted that teaching a child to ride inside can be difficult, as most people don't have a lot of room inside to let kids really roam on their little bikes.

Outside Riding

Teaching a child to ride outside, is obviously more popular with most parents. There's simply more open space for kids to maneuver and get used to balancing and steering. However, some people live in areas that have no sidewalks or very busy streets, so there's no chance for their kids to learn to ride outside.

As you can see, both inside and outside bike riding scenarios have their own pros and cons. Many parents find that teaching kids to ride with balance bikes is much easier – regardless of the location. Because balance bikes do not have pedals, less space is needed, so kids can balance without building up momentum from pedaling. And if you prefer to teach your child to ride outside, balance bikes work just as well outside as they do inside.

Tips for Buying a First Bike for Toddler Children

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaThere comes a time in every parent's life when they have to choose a first bike for their kids. This is always a fun time, as we all remember our own first bikes and the good times we had on them. And since parents want their own children to have good memories of their first bicycles, we've put together some helpful tips for buying a first bike for toddler age kids.

Keep it on the Down-Low

Some parents will buy a full-size bicycle for kids as young as three or four. The problem with this is that these bikes are usually way too high for small children to use. And since accidents are common, even on bikes with training wheels, a taller bike can lead to more injuries. Plus, small children are usually intimidated by being on a taller bike. Keep your child's first bike very small and low to the ground.

Avoid Training Wheels

For years, parents have relied on training wheels to teach kids to balance on bikes. However, training wheels often have the reverse effect and are so wobbly that they install bad coordination habits in young riders. With the introduction of balance bikes from Strider Sports, you can actually put your child on a bike, without training wheels, that will actually teach better balancing skills at younger ages.

You want to give your kids every advantage for learning to ride. When you're buying a first bike for toddler age kids, consider a balance bike. They don't use training wheels, and are built to be low enough for kids to stride along, using their own feet for balancing. Kids learn to balance much easier on these types of bikes, making the transition to riding on full sized bikes, much easier and less stressful for parents and kids.

What is a Balance Bike?

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via WikipediaFor decades now, parents have pretty much assumed that a bicycle is a bicycle. After all, there haven't been many significant changes to the design of bikes in quite a while. Well, that used to be true, until the creation of balance bikes from Strider.

What is a balance bike?

I'm glad you asked, because these little bicycles have provided a radical breakthrough in the way that children learn how to ride a bike. The company that makes balance bikes, Strider Sports, even calls them pre-bikes, because they are ideal for teaching kids the basics of riding a bike, before children actually get onto a full-sized bicycle.

So, what is a balance bike? Imagine a low profile, small bicycle that has no pedals. There are no gears and no chain on a balance bike either. What you end up with is a small bicycle that children can basically stride along with, as they learn to balance and steer.

What are the benefits of balance bikes?

Though the concept of balance bikes sounds basic enough, it's their effect in teaching kids to ride that is really amazing. Kids gradually learn to balance on their own at a young age, using Strider pre-bikes. Children don't have to focus on pedaling, steering and balancing all at the same time, like they do with conventional bikes. As they learn to naturally balance and steer on their balance bikes, they are better prepared to add pedaling to the equation when they first get onto a traditional bike.

Without using training wheels as a crutch, kids develop their balance naturally and increase coordination at a young age. Then, when they get their first “big” bike, they are equipped and ready to start riding – without ever relying on training wheels at all.

Tips for Choosing Your Child's First Bike

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Your child's first bike is an important purchase. Kids learn a lot from riding their bikes, and parent's often fondly remember teaching their little ones how to ride. However, there are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing that all-important first bike.

Tip #1 Start Sooner Rather Than Later

Some people will tell you that a child should be five or six before they are ready to ride a two-wheeler. While this may be true with conventional bicycles, you can actually begin to develop the skills for riding a big bike earlier in life. Children as young as three or four can begin learning to ride on Strider balance bikes, for an easier transition to full size bicycles as they get older.

Tip #2 Ditch the Training Wheels

It's been conventional wisdom for generations that training wheels are the best tool to teach little ones how to balance. However, many parents are finding that training wheels can actually hinder a child from balancing and riding on their own. Kids sometimes depend on training wheels to do the balancing for them, when they should learn to balance on their own. The Strider balance bike is ideal for helping kids to develop strong balancing skills – without the use of training wheels at all.

Keep these tips in mind as you consider your child's first bike. Balance bikes are becoming the most popular bicycles for teaching younger children how to effectively balance and steer, before kids move on to learning how to add pedaling to the equation. The end result is a faster learning process and more confidence for your little bike rider.

There is nothing like a Child’s First Dog or His First Bike!

2011-12-27T00:47:00.000-08:00

The first bike is one of those magical moments in a child’s life that he or she will always remember. Whether it was waiting for us under the Christmas tree or parked outside the garage on our birthday, we remember it. Like your first dog, your first bike is your “Old Faithful”. It’s one of those sublime toys that age in our minds like a fine wine. We forget (until we have our own child) what it is like to fall and have our knees skinned up, and instead our memories cling to those moments where we are flying down the street with the wind in our hair and pedaling like we’re in the Tour de France! That is why it is so important to make that quintessential childhood experience of owning a bike for the first time a positive and joyous experience for your child, and that means getting the right bike for your child.

Learning to ride is not the easiest thing in the world, which is why companies have come up with various ways of creating a “safe” first bike experience for kids. Years ago, the options were tricycles or training wheels when it came to teaching a child how to ride a bike. Tricycles provided their own stable balance by having three wheels, perfectly aligned. Kids learned how to steer and pedal on tricycles, but what they didn’t learn was how to balance on a bike with two wheels, so whatever they learned about cycling from their tricycle became a wash when the child progressed to a kid’s bike. Suddenly, the child is lifted off of the ground and put on a contraption that required that they learn to balance while pedaling or learning to balance with the aid of shakey training wheels. Today, toddler bike makers are producing balance bikes for those kids whose first bike experience begins prior to the age of three or four.

A balance bike has no pedals, is lower to the ground (so the child can aright itself should the bike tip), and is shaped like a kid’s bike. This is very important because it enables the child to understand the two main principles of successful cycling: steering and balance. They can always learn to pedal if they’ve mastered steering and balancing.

When the time comes that your toddler or kid is pointing at the shiny bicycles in the store and asking “please, please” you are going to want to consider which of these bikes will provide the best first experience for your child. A balance bike is probably the safest bet for a child’s first bike.

Strider On!

Looking for a Reliable Kids Bike for Sale?

2011-12-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

“Kids bike for sale in Calgary” usually means that some parent is selling the beat up and possibly out of balance bike that their child no longer wants. While this may not always be true—some used bikes are real steals—it is true enough that a parent needs to consider what the word “bargain” really means. A bargain generally means that you were able to purchase an item for less than its value. And what is the value for a child’s bicycle?

When you are looking for a kids bike for sale, are you looking for a bike that they can learn to ride on, or a bike to move up into? A child’s first experience with a bicycle is very important. It is how he or she learns to ride. It is a confidence builder (or breaker). You want that first bike to be your child’s success story in cycling. You want to purchase a bike that will actually help them learn to ride versus becoming discouraged. For “first bikes” you want something like a balance bike so that they can learn all of the necessary principles that they can use as they move up into a “big kids” bike. Balance bikes have no pedals, are low to the ground, and are light-weight. This enables your child to learn the basics of steering and balancing so that when they move up to a “big kids” bike they have already mastered the tricky part and just have to tack on pedaling.

When looking for a bike for your child “new” or “new-sed” is always best. As bikes are left outdoors or end up crashing against the sidewalk their frames can become warped making it more difficult for a child to balance or steer it. Therefore, if you are making a second-hand purchase try to find a bike that is a bargain—that means that it has held its shape and value and makes it a worthwhile purchase. However, if this is your child’s time with a bicycle then what you really want is a new kids bike for sale.

Strider On!

Balance Bikes in Calgary: A Popular Alternative

2011-12-16T00:17:00.000-08:00

Balance bikes in Calgary are becoming more and more popular as parents begin to share success stories of their toddler learning to ride. Most of us remember our first attempts at cycling because the end result was a bike or trike sitting on our chest and the family dog licking our faces as we screamed for our mothers. The problem with our bikes is that they tried to teach too many principles at one time. Tricycles were great because the third wheel gave a bit of balance and stability, but they were harder to pedal because of the weight and when you got on a regular bike for the first time you had to learn to balance all over again. Bicycles with training wheels were probably the worst inventions known to man because the training wheels were wobbly and ended up causing more problems than they were worth. Balance bikes allow children to focus on two things only: steering and balance.

The fact that the child can quickly put his or her feet to the ground when the bike wobbles is probably the primary reason for the popularity of balance bikes in Calgary. The bikes have no pedals and sit low to the ground so parents don’t have to worry about the child having enough time to auto-correct from a tip or wobble when on a balance bike. He or she just puts their tiny feet to the ground and the bike is set aright. And should the child happen to actually trip and fall with the balance bike, they are light-weight enough that there should be no more tears than if he or she took a spill while walking.

As parents, our first concern is for our child’s safety. Balance bikes are a safe way to learn to ride a bicycle, as well as, build confidence in your child. When kids master something—something like riding a bike they feel good about themselves. The safe enjoyment of a toddler bike is exactly why it’s now becoming popular to purchase a balance bike in Calgary.

Strider On!

Tricycle or Balancing Bikes?

2011-12-12T00:15:00.000-08:00

Balancing bikes came out a few years back to provide an alternative to tricycles for toddlers and younger children. Tricycles can be great bikes for small children, provided they are not too heavy. The low to the ground center of gravity on a tricycle makes them much safer than a bicycle with training wheels, but the problem is that most of them are very heavy—almost too heavy for the toddlers they were purposed for. The children can learn to steer and pedal, but depending upon the style of the tricycle they child doesn’t really learn how to balance a bicycle. When he or she gets on a traditional looking bicycle for the first time they must “relearn” the balance and navigational aspects of cycling.

With balancing bikes, kids are seated on an instrument with the same bicycle shape as the one they will ride when older. This allows the child to get used to the two wheels of a bicycle and learn to balance correctly. Getting that sense of balance is just as important as steering the bike, and having these two skills mastered by the time they get their first vehicle is a huge head start for your child. Without having to pedal the child can focus on steering and learning to balance. The fact that the seat of the bike is low to the ground enables the child to put his feet on either side of him, push, walk, or otherwise propel himself or herself without a fear of toppling over.

These great bikes are perfect for the beginner rider. The child is able to master those skills that will be needed for future adventures with “big kid” bicycles in a safe manner. This is why more and more parents are advocating for balancing bikes.

Strider On!

Breaking News: Strider Bikes Can Prevent Heart Attacks in the Parents of Young Children!

2011-12-07T00:06:00.000-08:00

Strider bikes are a great way of getting younger kids started in biking without parents feeling like they’re going to have a heart attack or need to see a chiropractor because they were bent over and running along behind the bike with their hands in a death grip on the seat! Thanks to companies like Strider who are making balance bikes with the toddlers in mind, parents no longer have to bite nails and stress over when (not if) their child is going to take a spill on their new bike. Balance bikes allow kids to focus on steering and balancing, not pedaling and pumping.

The Strider bikes keep the child seated low on the bike so that their legs can touch the ground on either side of them and quickly correct themselves should the bike begin to tip either way. There are no pedals to contend with so your child only focuses on learning how to balance the bike and how to steer it. As they become better at these two skills, there is an integrated footrest that they can place their feet on should they want to extend the length of their glide time.

While there are no guarantees in life when it comes to falling, a child is less likely to take a spill and incur injury with one of these balance bikes. Being that low to the ground, being able to quickly place his or her feet down to stabilize the bike, and having a bike that isn’t too heavy really helps to prevent the child from toppling over and getting hurt. Most of us didn’t have that option when we were little and ended up on our front lawns more than once with scraped knees, elbows, and chins while our bikes mocked us from their vantage point across our chests. Ahhh, the “good old days”. But we can prevent that type of injury to our skins and prides for our own children by investing in a well-engineered strider bike!

Strider On!

Toddler Bikes Can Help Your Toddler (Safely) Learn Biking Fundamentals

2011-12-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

Toddler bikes can be somewhat of a scary proposition for the cautious moms and dads among us. Most kids, however, don’t think like parents. All kids love bikes. Even toddlers will see a shiny red bike and begin pointing urgently. There is something in movement, be it a “Big Wheel” or a tricycle or even a Norco mountain bike that brings out the fun-loving child in all of us. The problem is that as parents who have memories of falling off bikes as children, we don’t always look at bikes for our own children in quite the same way. The thought of watching our toddler take a spill—even in helmet and pads—can send even the most stalwart of parents into a shiver. Who wants to see their baby fall down? No one. Even if we know that falling is a part of life we’d still like to prevent its occurrence, if at all possible. So we go out and purchase the world’s thickest safety pads and best constructed helmets and try and prepare ourselves for that moment when we put our child on his or her first toddler bike. Lucky for us, times have changed. Kids today have the option of riding “balance bikes”.

Rather than worry about pedals when they should be learning to balance and steer, these bikes remove that option altogether. Instead the child is seated in a low to the ground central position where he or she propels (or walks) their bike along with their feet on the ground. Balance bikes allow children to focus on the important skills needed for cycling, instead of worrying about when to put their feet down to keep the bike from toppling over. This is GREAT news for parents everywhere—especially those of us who are used to holding onto the back seat of their bikes as they are wobbling back and forth down the street! Glide a few feet. Stop. Glide a few feet. Stop. Yep, gotta love the new toddler bikes!

Strider On!

Strider Bikes: A Better Way to Teach Kids to Ride

2011-11-28T00:41:00.000-08:00

For years we've all taught our kids to ride bikes, just the way we were taught. Most of the time this entails getting a bike with training wheels on it, and then running along behind the bike, keeping our kids balanced and then hoping that our kids will get a hang of things and take off on their own. And, more often than not, it takes quite a bit before our kids can put all the pieces together and get a hang of riding on their own.

These days, though, there is a new player in the game. Strider Bikes are now available, and these bikes are truly game changers. If you haven't seen a Strider Prebike, you're going to be amazed by these little bikes.

What Are Strider Bikes?

If you can picture a bicycle without pedals, with small frame and built ultra lightweight, you'll have a rough idea of what Strider Bikes are. You really need to see one to appreciate just how cool these bikes are. Anyway, they work using a totally different bike riding paradigm than most of us are used to. Since there are no pedals on these bikes, kids learn to steer and balance, without being overwhelmed with learning to peddle. This may sound odd, but it really speeds up the learning process. Kids simply stride the bike (hence the name) and learn to balance the bike by using their feet. Before you know it, they are coasting along with perfect balance.

Once kids have learned to ride on a Strider, moving up to a big-kid's bike, pedals and all, is much easier, as they've already mastered steering and balancing. The Strider bikes offer kids a much easier path to learning to ride a bicycle. And parents love seeing their kids tackle the tough task of riding with high confidence and enthusiasm.

Strider On!

Tips for Choosing the Best Bike Helmet

2011-11-24T00:32:00.000-08:00

Image by firepile via FlickrIt's hard to slow kids down, once they're ready to get on their first bike. Kids love to take on new challenges, and there aren't many that offer the big payoff that riding a bike offers. Children can't wait to get the sense of independence that comes along with learning how to ride their bikes. I've seen my own kids fairly glow with enthusiasm as they're learned how to ride, so I know how serious kids are about riding bikes on their own. Of course, if it's time to get your child on their first bike, you'll need to pick up that all-important bike helmet.

Here are some tips that are helpful in picking out that first bike helmet for your child:

-    Simple fit. It's important to get a helmet that fits on your child's head without too much hassle. As you know, kids are always in a hurry and they will get fidgety if a helmet takes too much time to put on. And, ideally, you want your child to be able to put their own helmet on as they get older.
-    Ventilation. Some of the older bike helmets were a bit hot, as they weren't ventilated very well. These days, though, the better bike helmets are usually well ventilated and help to keep kids cool while they're learning to ride.
-    Style. You know that kids love stuff with their favorite colors, designs or characters on them. Whether it's that special super hero, or a particular shade of pink, try to keep your child's sense of style in mind when you purchase that first bike helmet.

There are, of course, some other considerations to buying a bike helmet for kids, but by keeping these three tips in mind, you'll be on the right path to choosing the ideal helmet for your child.

Strider On!

The Excitement of Our First Bike Experiences

2011-11-21T00:24:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the first time you were able to ride a two wheel bike on your own? Many of us have fond memories of that first bike experience. And it's easy to understand why people hold those first bike memories as special times to be cherished. There's nothing like the exhilaration on the face of a child as he/she learns to put all the little skills together and ride off confidently, without the help of mom or dad and without any training wheels holding them back. It truly is a milestone event.

Bumps in the Road

Just as many of us remember the thrill of riding on our own, we also remember the times that we weren't all that successful. In fact, all those sessions with parents holding onto the back of the bike and dealing with wobbly training wheels can be downright stressful for kids. Eventually kids get past the rough periods of the first bike experience, but wouldn't it be nice if there were an easier way to teach your kids how to ride?

There actually is a better way. Balance bikes, like the Strider Prebike help younger children to master the concept of balancing and steering a bike, without the additional burden of learning to pedal at the same time. These small, lightweight bikes without pedals are great for teaching kids to ride, without so many bumps in the road.

I only wish these bikes would have been around when I was a kid. Parents now have the opportunity to get these bikes for their younger kids, to teach them how to ride using a much simpler, more natural first bike experience that kids love.

Strider On!

Planning Your Child's First Bike Ride

2011-11-17T00:26:00.000-08:00

For most of us, that first bike ride, when we could actually steer, pedal and balance all at the same time, is one that we'll remember for the rest of our lives. There's just something ingrained into all of us that wants to be free to travel at will. And that first bike ride is the first taste that most of us have of that kind of freedom. And for those of us with kids or children in our lives, planning for their first ride is almost exciting as our own first rides on two-wheelers.

The Downside

On traditional bicycles learning to ride successfully comes with a steep learning curve. Kids, especially younger children under five, often have a tough time learning all the intricate skills needed to successfully ride. And using a conventional bike with training wheels can often lead to some pretty frustrating rides.

A Better Way?

Strider makes some bikes that they call the Strider Prebike. These bikes are ideal as learning tools for a younger child's first bike ride. They are lightweight, small and lightweight bikes that don't use pedals or training wheels. Like the name implies, kids simply stride the bike and use their feet on the ground to propel the bike forward. As they do, they learn how to balance and steer the bike, without feeling unstable on rickety training wheels.

The overall experience of learning to ride a bike on a Strider is a liberating, confidence-building one that helps kids learn to ride bigger bikes much easier in the future. They learn to balance, steer and navigate in such a natural way, that they are primed and ready to move into pedaling and riding a bigger bicycle when the time is right.

Strider On!

Finding a Better First Bike for Toddlers

2011-11-14T00:21:00.000-08:00

It's a special time in a parent's life when you get your child that first bicycle. Kids love riding bikes, so getting them started young is a real treat. But teaching a little one the skills they need to successfully ride a two-wheeler can be difficult; so difficult, in fact, that many parents put off bike riding until children are a bit older than toddler age. Amazingly enough, though, kids can begin to learn how to successfully ride bikes when they are still toddlers. The trick is in getting them started on the right kind of first bike for toddler aged kids.

A New Kind of Bike

The average three or four year old usually can't grasp the concept of steering, pedaling and balancing all at the same time. But with a balance bike, like the Strider Prebike, it's simpler than ever to teach little ones how to master bike riding skills. I was pretty blown away the first time I saw these prebikes, and now think that they are going to be a huge aide to parents and kids for years to come, as the ideal first bike for toddler aged kids.

The Concept of a Balance Bicycle

The Strider has no pedals, and it's built in such a way that toddlers can stride the bike and walk along with their feet, as they get the feel for staying balanced. That's right, this bike lets kids ease into balancing on a bike in the most natural way possible. Before too long, most young children begin coasting and rolling along without touching the ground at all. It's really a sight to see this progress taking place. And kids feel more confident about adding pedaling into the equation – without training wheels – as they get a bit older.

As you can tell, the Strider is an exciting new approach to the first bike for toddler aged kids. It is literally changing the way parents think about teaching their kids to ride a bicycle.

Strider On!

The Advantages of a Balance Bike

2011-11-11T00:52:00.000-08:00

It's amazing to watch kids as they progress from babies, to toddlers and on to being big boys and girls. What's especially fun to watch is their gradual increase in coordination, strength and balance. Of course, having kids learn new skills, like riding a bike helps to really jump-start their overall physical coordination. Unfortunately, though, the process of learning to ride a bike can be a long, stressful one. Unless, of course, you teach your child how to ride by using a balance bike.

What Are Balance Bikes

Imagine a traditional bicycle without pedals or training wheels. Now, picture that same bike being small enough for a child to easily stride along by placing their feet on the ground. This is a very basic description, but it should help you to see just how a balance bike, like the Strider Prebike works. Balance bikes are built to teach kids the motor skills and balance needed to ride a bicycle. And since a balance bike doesn't have training wheels, the difficulties with balancing are virtually eliminated. Kids can basically straddle the bike, walk along with their feet, and learn how to balance in a natural manner.

Without the unsure wobbling associated with training wheels, and the additional skill of pedaling, kids pick up balancing and steering with ease. It is an amazingly natural progression to see kids go from walking their Strider along to suddenly coasting and zipping along with perfect balance. As a father, I have to say that I am impressed with these balance bikes and think that they are the breakthrough to learning to ride bikes that millions of parents have been waiting for.

Strider On!

A New Take on Kids' First Bikes

2011-11-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

I always look back with fond memories on my first bike. Like most kids, I loved zipping around the neighborhood on my bike and having fun with friends. What a lot of us don't like remembering is the process of actually learning to ride that first bike. Wobbling around on clumsy training wheels... Feeling insecure about trying to peddle, balance and steer, all at the same time. When you think back, learning to ride a bike really was difficult, even for the most coordinated kids. These days, though, there is a whole new spin on the first bicycles that we teach our kids to ride on.
Image via Wikipedia
Ditch the Training Wheels & Pedals

In teaching my own children how to ride their bikes, I took special note of how wobbly the training wheels were and just how hard it was for my kids to learn to pedal. That's why I was amazed when I found out about the Strider Prebike. If you haven't seen one of these before, it is a small bike for young kids that doesn't use training wheels or pedals.

The beauty of this new first bike for kids is that it takes the whole pedaling thing out of the equation. The seat is low enough so that kids can keep their feet on the ground to feel secure and balanced. And, as they feel more sure of their steering and balancing, they can begin to coast and learn to essentially ride a bicycle with confidence. After they're used to this way of riding a bike, they can then move on to riding a bigger bike with pedals.

If you haven't checked out the Strider, it's really an ingenious invention and one that's sure to change the way that kids learn to ride bikes in coming years.

Strider On!

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