Well here's a tip that has helped many youngsters learn to ride a bike faster. Let them learn to ride a scooter first.
My son Nicholas has a razor scooter that he can't get enough of. For many children, riding one is a good way to learn balance in a safer and controlled way, before graduating to a bicycle. And many parents have found that there was less fear for the child in learning to ride a bike, and in fact they tend to learn faster.
The beauty of the scooter is that kids feel so much more in control, and they can usually catch themselves if they start to fall. As one parent told me, "It's a real confidence booster, and seems to take much of the trauma out of finally learning to ride a bike."
So give the scooter a try, but also take into account some safety tips:
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1. Make sure the scooter is age appropriate for the child. If it's too large, he or she will have trouble operating it, which could cause frustration or lead to accidents.
2. A helmet is always recommended, and elbow and knee pads might not be a bad idea either starting off.
3. Proper shoes should be worn, ideally sneakers. Sandals or flip-flops may upset the child's balance, and may cause injuries to their feet if they hop off quickly.
4. Be aware of uneven ground surfaces - they can make for dangerous riding conditions.
