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Claims it's for our son's safety. (He rides a tricycle now and again in Occupational Therapy, but doesn't know yet how to do the pedals). Would almost 5 be too old for a tricycle? Should we just directly move on to a bicycle with training wheels at that time? He turned 3 two months ago, but already 43 inches and 47 lbs now.
I dont think theres a right age for a certain bike. My 8 and 9yr olds learned how to ride a 2 wheel last year. We let it naturally happen with no teaching. They didnt have tricycles and training wheels, etc. They just had small bikes and learned.
If hes afraid for safety, get a helmet and pads and go as a family.
What kind of child is your son? Is he more adventurous? Does he express an interest in a tricycle?
4 1/2 seems a little old for a tricycle. I think my son was insisting I take the training wheels off his bike by that age. BUT - he was (and still is) an adventurous kid. And he's a second child (who I think generally are more willing to try new things just to keep up). I'd take the lead from your son.
Kids do things at different ages. My oldest couldn't ride a bike or trike until she was 6...she couldn't pedal and steer at the same time. My younger daughter got a little bike with training wheels when she was 2 and she rode it constantly. I was in a wheelchair at the time and she and I would chase each other around the patio while she rode the bike.
Personally, I would just get a balance bike and let him use that for a while, then move on to a regular bike (with or without training wheels).
Whatever you get him, get a helmet for him to wear...I know someone will chime in and say they never used a helmet as a child and turned out fine, but it's best to make a helmet a requirement from the very beginning, and then it will already be a habit by the time he might be an age to question it.
Whatever you get him, get a helmet for him to wear...I know someone will chime in and say they never used a helmet as a child and turned out fine, but it's best to make a helmet a requirement from the very beginning, and then it will already be a habit by the time he might be an age to question it.
I agree with this! They may not always wear their pads but they have to wear their helmet, even if others arent. Mine did quickly learn to wear their pads when they decided to go too fast and broke an elbow and thumb.
Too old for a trike I'd say. Get him a balance bike or a normal bike. I'd recommend balance bike over normal bike with training wheels though as I think the training wheels teaches them the wrong way of riding, wish I had gone the balance bike route instead with my kid (she insisted on the training wheels off at 4.5 though anyway)
What kind of child is your son? Is he more adventurous? Does he express an interest in a tricycle?
4 1/2 seems a little old for a tricycle. I think my son was insisting I take the training wheels off his bike by that age. BUT - he was (and still is) an adventurous kid. And he's a second child (who I think generally are more willing to try new things just to keep up). I'd take the lead from your son.
Agree. A neighbor boy was already riding his bike (with training wheels) pretty fast at 3 yr old. In comparison, my more timid son had a really hard time learning to ride his bike last year when he's 3 1/2. He is now 4 1/2 and can ride his bike (with training wheels) pretty well. He still has a hard time starting from stationary though - I have to push him sometimes.
With your son being that tall (at least compare to my small son @ 37 inches), my suggestion is to skip the tricycle and just go straight to bike when he's ready.
A balance bike is also a good option. I love watching videos of little kids racing on balance bike. I got it for my son when he was younger, but he was never into it. He prefers the regular bike.
If he's using a trike at therapy ask his therapist what they recommend for his age and ability.
Therapy being the operative word. I mean... maybe it's me, but I read the o.p. as having a differently abled (temporary?) son, and this may be what is fueling what appears to be overprotectiveness on a casual first pass assessment. Can we have the full picture, please?
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