Wow! what a weekend for biking!

After over a year zooming around on a balance bike, this 3 1/2 year old tot took his first spin around the track on a pedal bike with no training wheels. It took about 2 minutes for him to get the hang of it! He is a bit small for his age, so stopping and putting his feet on the ground is a challenge. But he is so proud of himself! What a feat. Wouldn't have been possible without all the practice on his balance bike this last year!

What a busy holiday weekend for biking. I was at several parks over the weekend doing demo rides with the balance bikes. Kids of all ages and parents were out in groves riding bikes. I was so pleased - and alittle surprised to see several balance bikes around as well. These things are really starting to take off. I saw several different brands and different size children on them as well. One 4 yr old at the track was on a pedal bike (with no training wheels) and his little sister, who just turned age 2 was on a balance bike. I stopped to talk to their dad, and he said the older one started out on the balance bike and it only took 5 minutes to transition to a pedal bike since he had the skills he needed from all the practice on the balance bike. And they were both having so much fun!

I heard a lot of parents confirm with me their frustration with tricycles as well. Either the kids have problems with pedalling, or they get tired of pedalling it after awhile and the parent ends up trying to carry the heavy thing! Alot of parents are deciding to skip the tricyle and try a balance bike instead since kids can now fit on balance bikes as young as 20 months (the Strider bike fits kids this age).

So check these fun things out! Summer is almost here!

Summer is near! Get on your balance bike!

23 month old twins the first day on their Strider Running bikes. Wow!

The year 2009 is going to be "the Year of the Balance bike". A few years ago, these bikes looked like they may just be a fad, or something that kids who already had everything may get. But no longer! These fascinating bikes are on the rise all over the U.S. and are starting to replace tricycles and bikes with training wheels. These bikes are simply a bike frame with wheels, and no pedals or chains for kids to get their legs tangled in. Kids just walk, run, and glide! They learn to balance and steer without even realizing how big a feat that really is!! Lots of 2 year olds can't manage to pedal a trike as it takes alot of strength to push a trike forward in such a low seated position. Bikes with training wheels may be fun at first..... but often start tipping over when a child starts going faster and making quick turns, and you can't go onto the grass, into the dirt, and virtually all over like on a balance bike! The amazing thing is that kids as young as 20 months can handle a small balance bike such as the one made by Strider Sports which has one of the lowest seats in the industry, measuring in at only 11 inches from the ground in it's lowest setting. Little kids flip out when they first see that they get to try out a "big kid bike" and actually be able to fit on it and move! Not to mention they come in 6 colors to meet everyone's fancy.

The wooden bikes, alittle larger and heavier than the Strider bikes, are great for kids ages 3-5 and the natural wooden look is definately a parent pleaser.

Come back to see more photos, videos and updates on Balance and running bikes!!