Avoid these mistakes when teaching your child to ride their bike

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of those childhood milestones many parents look forward to. It’s a chance to share a new skill, enjoy the outdoors, and give your child the confidence and freedom that comes with cycling. But while it can be an exciting time, it can also feel daunting if things don’t go as smoothly as you hoped.

The truth is, there are a few very common mistakes that many of us make without even realising it. These can slow down the learning process or leave your child feeling frustrated, which isn’t much fun for anyone. The good news is that with a little knowledge, they’re easy to avoid.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can make the experience of learning to ride much more enjoyable and rewarding for your child. If you’re looking for clear, practical advice on what to do instead, take a look at our complete guide on how to teach your child to ride a bike. It covers every stage of the journey, from preparation through to pedalling with confidence.

1) Starting too young

Just because the child down the road was pedalling by age three doesn’t mean your child will be ready then. Many children develop the skills needed to ride between ages 4 and 6, but some might take longer.

Starting too soon can lead to frustration for both of you.

If your child is 3 or older, take our quick quiz to find out if they’re ready to ride.

Further reading: What age do kids learn to ride a bike?

2)  Missing the balance bike phase

Mastering balance is one of the most important skills in learning to ride. Balance bikes are perfect for this and help children transition more easily to pedal bikes.

Balance bikes are usually cheaper than pedal bikes and can be used from a younger age.

If you've already bought them a pedal bike you may be able to convert it into a balance bike.

Further reading: Best balance bikes

3)  Using stabilisers/training wheels

You might remember learning to ride a bike with stabilisers (training wheels). However, we know from experience that these can actually make learning to balance harder.

Training wheels turn a two-wheeler into a three-wheeler, and when they’re removed, children often wobble because they’ve not learned to balance properly.

That said, stabilisers can still be useful for children with coordination challenges, neurodivergence, or physical disabilities.

Curious about balance bikes? Check out our guide to getting ready to teach your child to ride where we cover choosing the right starter bike and equipment.

Further reading: Does my child need stabilisers?

4) Not giving them enough time to learn to ride a bike

Learning any new skill—whether reading, writing, or riding a bike—takes time.

Don’t expect your child to hop on a new bike and pedal perfectly right away. Some kids may learn in hours; others may take weeks, months, or even longer.

The key is patience, plenty of space, and lots of encouragement to keep trying.

5) Too much pressure

Riding a bike should be fun, for both child and adult.

Putting too much pressure on your child to “perform” or making a big fuss can make the experience stressful.

Let them progress in their own time and leave the phone away for celebratory videos until later!

6) Wrong size kids bike

Many parents make the mistake of buying a bike that’s too big so their child can “grow into it.” This is a huge error!

Imagine trying to ride a bike where your feet don’t touch the ground and your arms can’t reach the handlebars—how safe would you feel? Now think about a child doing that for the first time.

The other mistake is keeping a child on a bike that’s too small because you’re worried about buying a bigger one before they learn.

Both situations lead to frustration, discomfort, and disinterest.

Further Reading: Is my kids bike the right size for them?

7) A bike that is too heavy

Younger children especially struggle with heavy bikes. Some starter pedal bikes can weigh nearly as much as a small child!

There are more lightweight kids’ bikes available now, but many poorly made heavy bikes are still on the market.

If your child is struggling to learn, the weight of the bike could be a factor.

There's a growing number of secondhand quality kids bikes available, so you don't have to spend a fortune.

If you're in the UK leasing via the Bike Club can be a cost effective option too.

Further reading: Why you shouldn't buy a REALLY cheap new kids bike

8) Footwear

We often see photos of kids cycling barefoot, but proper footwear really matters.

Smooth-soled shoes can slip off pedals, especially in wet weather, making riding harder and less safe.

Barefoot or socks-only riding can be uncomfortable because bike pedals are rough and can hurt feet.

Choose shoes with a good grip to help your child pedal confidently.