Have Kids Starting Biking Too Young?
Wednesday April 27, 2005
It is becoming increasingly common to spot a very young child, younger than 4 years old on a bike with 2 wheels (not counting training wheels). Many children are introduced to their first 2 wheeled bikes at this tender young age and learn to ride with the aid of training wheels. A lot of Kid's Bikes and Scooters are available in the market today for children of all ages. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against encouraging children to get on a bike too early.
The dangers of riding a bike too young have been somewhat minimized by the better and safer construction aspects of kid's bikes today like wider seats, thicker wheels and wider handlebars to name a few. Read about Safe Construction Of Kids Bikes.
However, trikes are much more sturdy and reliable than 2 wheeled bikes. They have a back support, have a lower center of gravity, and can be pedalled both forwards and backwards, giving the child more control over the vehicle. Here are some great Children's Ride-On's.
So, why are parents pushing their kids to ride bikes before they are ready for them? Well, it is not purely the parent's fault. The toy stores today are overflowing with smaller bikes targeted towards the younger set. Expensive, and quickly outgrown, these bikes are good for business!
Parents nowadays want their children to do everything quickly, and riding a bike early is no exception. Here are some useful links for Buying A Bike For Your Child. Whatever the case maybe, the bottom line still remains that trikes are better than bikes for very young children.
The dangers of riding a bike too young have been somewhat minimized by the better and safer construction aspects of kid's bikes today like wider seats, thicker wheels and wider handlebars to name a few. Read about Safe Construction Of Kids Bikes.
However, trikes are much more sturdy and reliable than 2 wheeled bikes. They have a back support, have a lower center of gravity, and can be pedalled both forwards and backwards, giving the child more control over the vehicle. Here are some great Children's Ride-On's.
So, why are parents pushing their kids to ride bikes before they are ready for them? Well, it is not purely the parent's fault. The toy stores today are overflowing with smaller bikes targeted towards the younger set. Expensive, and quickly outgrown, these bikes are good for business!
Parents nowadays want their children to do everything quickly, and riding a bike early is no exception. Here are some useful links for Buying A Bike For Your Child. Whatever the case maybe, the bottom line still remains that trikes are better than bikes for very young children.