13/11/2025
Is your child learning to ride a bike and you don't know where to start? Our friends at NHS Lothian have put together this helpful guide! Here are their top tips:
1. Get the bike ready - check brakes, tyres and saddle height, remove pedals and stabilisers if needed.
2. Get your child ready - wear a helmet and comfy clothes, use pads or gloves if helpful, pick a calm time to practise.
3. Find a safe space - flat, open area with no traffic, avoid grass (too hard to pedal).
4. Keep it fun - short sessions, lots of praise, learn one skill at a time.
5. Lift the bike - child stands beside bike and lifts it upright safely.
6. Walk with the bike - hold handlebars, push forward, practise starting and stopping.
7. Get on and off - hold brakes, swing leg over saddle, sit with feet flat.
8. Scoot and balance - sit on saddle, push with feet, lift both feet to glide, practise balancing and steering.
9. Add pedals - support from behind (not holding bike), let child pedal in open space. Reduce support as confidence grows.
10. Cycle on their own - one foot on ground, one pedal at 2 o’clock, push off, find second pedal, look ahead, practise braking and stopping. gradually raise saddle as skills improve.
https://children.nhslothian.scot/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/4.32-Learning-to-ride-a-bike.pdf
