Best place to train kid to ride a bike (sans training wheels)?

[cBach]

I drove by the local school and for some reason there is yellow tape up all around the school and it says "do not enter"? Is this customary at schools in the summer? If we "trespass" will they actually do anything to us? I figure it's not worth the risk but I don't know why they don't want people to use their parking lot?

[h886]

Originally Posted by cBach

I drove by the local school and for some reason there is yellow tape up all around the school and it says "do not enter"? Is this customary at schools in the summer? If we "trespass" will they actually do anything to us? I figure it's not worth the risk but I don't know why they don't want people to use their parking lot?

There might be an issue with that particular school. I haven't seen that at any of the schools I've driven by. No, I wouldn't trespass. Just pick another school.

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by motherofthree

I have seen people teaching their kids at the middle school track. That surface is spongy and flat. It's perfect!

No, it's not. You should never use wheels on a track (stroller, roller skates, bikes). It can ruin the track surface and cause early replacement costs at the tune of about $200K+ per track. There are signs posted at every track in town banning the use of wheels. The first thing they'll do is ban walkers and runners who are legitimately using the track.

[G Grasshopper]

We did this with my son, years ago, exactly as others have said, at a school playground during the summer. We ran up and down with him on the asphalt until he got the hang of it. I would think that grass would give a lot of resistance and be discouraging, but it would be better in a fall. Actually, since we were running along side at first, our son never fell while learning this. We only stopped running when we were confident in his balance (and when he started going too fast for us to keep up.) Of course, this was not in Texas, and it was not 100 degrees, so it was easier for us to do this. You could also do this in a public parking lot if the businesses there are such that the lot is empty on the weekends. Good luck!

[cBach]

First attempt this evening, found a school where there was no yellow tape blocking off the parking lot. Thanks for the advice.

[motherofthree]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

No, it's not. You should never use wheels on a track (stroller, roller skates, bikes). It can ruin the track surface and cause early replacement costs at the tune of about $200K+ per track. There are signs posted at every track in town banning the use of wheels. The first thing they'll do is ban walkers and runners who are legitimately using the track.

My husband was quick to point out to me that the track we see everyone on is made of asphalt and not that nice spongy material - he used to be a track coach. This middle school track allows wheels.