The bike classes can be really good. Our ES hosts a clinic each fall where they took the pedals off and started with the kids just walking while sitting on the bike and less than an hour later they were all pedaling around like pros. My 5 year old learned that way last fall, and it was amazing to watch. Kids ranged from 4 to 10, and by the end, there was only one little girl who wasn't really riding (and that was only because she was messing around and not following the instructions). I think REI has classes too.

I taught my other son myself at around the same age, which was fine, but the bike clinic was a much faster and smoother process - and I'd imagine especially for a kid who was not particularly motivated to learn on their own.

Anonymous wrote:My kids didn't learn till they were 8.

Things that helped:

1. This class: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/learntoride.htm. There were kids of all ages so they weren't embarrassed.

2. A place to ride where the kids feel safe. Friends live on a cul-de-sac that we borrowed to practice. Kids weren't intimated by cars, other bicyclists, people watching, etc.

3. The biggest? Peer pressure. Their BFF learned to ride and there was no way in hell they were letting her ride without them.

#1 and #2 helped to get the basics, but #3 was the clincher.

I came here to post about the "learn to ride" with a ranger program. Although my son didn't learn how to ride that day-- every other kid in the group did! And, a few months later, I used their technique and he learned in an hour. Seriously!!! He was a young 6.

Anonymous wrote:Please don't give up! I have an adult friend who never learned and is still sad about it!

I have an adult friend who never learned growing up (from NYC) and learned as an adult. She's a pretty timid person and she still managed to learn. I would offer the REI (or similar class) 'cause sometimes it's better if it's NOT a parent doing the teaching. But if she's not interested, it's not the end of the world not to learn. I would let this go.

Anonymous wrote:So my younger DD absolutely refuses to even try to learn. She's incredibly stubborn so I also try not to to push it too much, because that makes her refuse anything even more. At this point (she's 8) I don't see it happening. Her sister was almost 9, but for her it was because of fear...

Let me guess. She knows how to swipe and use a tablet with ease though.

You want her to learn? Take away the electronics.

By 8 they can ride a bike and go off to the park or visit friends without parents. If that isn't incentive enough, not sure what is.

I would also not drive them anywhere that is bikable.

Don't all their friends ride bikes all over the neighborhood?

Sorry, at those ages it is tough love. No more coddling.

My kids didn't learn till they were 8.

Things that helped:

1. This class: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/learntoride.htm. There were kids of all ages so they weren't embarrassed.

2. A place to ride where the kids feel safe. Friends live on a cul-de-sac that we borrowed to practice. Kids weren't intimated by cars, other bicyclists, people watching, etc.

3. The biggest? Peer pressure. Their BFF learned to ride and there was no way in hell they were letting her ride without them.

#1 and #2 helped to get the basics, but #3 was the clincher.

Have you taken the pedals off? My 8 yo son was an expert scooter, and the bike was slower. We took the pedals off for a day or two so he could figure out the balance, then we put them on and he was a natural. He hardly ever scoots anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are bike classes that focus on kids learning to ride a bike. You might try one of those.

NP, where?

Our neighbor was just telling us that her kids (8 and 6) learned in one day with an REI class.

Anonymous wrote:Does she ride a scooter? We found when DC mastered the Razor style scooter the feared bike was feared less.

Yes.

Please don't give up! I have an adult friend who never learned and is still sad about it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are bike classes that focus on kids learning to ride a bike. You might try one of those.

NP, where?

Google took 30 seconds:
http://www.waba.org/youth-education/

Does she ride a scooter? We found when DC mastered the Razor style scooter the feared bike was feared less.

Anonymous wrote:There are bike classes that focus on kids learning to ride a bike. You might try one of those.

NP, where?

There are bike classes that focus on kids learning to ride a bike. You might try one of those.

So my younger DD absolutely refuses to even try to learn. She's incredibly stubborn so I also try not to to push it too much, because that makes her refuse anything even more. At this point (she's 8) I don't see it happening. Her sister was almost 9, but for her it was because of fear...