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 Table of Contents

Teach your child to stride 1

Adjust the bike properly to fit your child 4

Safety gear 6

Support the child—Not the bike 8

Let your child set the pace 9

Be a cheerleader more than a coach 12

Why balance is so important 15

Transition to pedals 18
 Teach your child to stride

At Strider, we love riding bikes and we love inspiring kids to ride. Strider Balance Bikes are
designed with only foot propulsion to teach the fundamentals of riding. When balance and
steering are mastered, transitioning to a bicycle with pedals or a motorcycle is easy.

While learning to ride, a child needs to experience the feel of leaning and how steering
affects the balance of the bike. Without leaning, such as on a tricycle or bike with training
wheels, a child isn’t learning to ride at all. Tricycles and training wheels give a false sense
of balance. When a child turns on a tricycle or bike with training wheels, the bike leans to
the outside against the outside wheels. This is opposite of proper riding technique which
requires leaning into the turn. And, this has to be “unlearned” in order to ride on two
wheels.

Congratulations on taking the first step to teach your child to ride! We are so happy to
welcome you to Team Strider; you are one of the early adopters that are changing the
paradigm of how kids learn to ride and setting the new standard for how young children
explore the world on two wheels. 2 million parents can’t be wrong, and we’re excited to
take this journey with you.

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 Strider Bikes encourage the development of spatial awareness, balance, and basic
motor skills as early as possible so all children can reach their maximum riding
potential. To ensure your child’s bike riding success, we have developed this simple
guide to help you along the way.

Follow these 4 simple steps to striding success!

Keep an eye out for expert tips and activities along the way!

Adjust the bike to properly fit the child

Seat height is the most critical adjustment.

Adjust the seat of the bike so both of the child’s
feet are flat on the ground and there is only a
slight bend in the knee. A good starting height is
1” less than the child’s inseam. Kids grow quickly.
Be sure to adjust the bike every few months. If you
are seeing your child struggle with
becoming comfortable on the seat, try different
height adjustments until you see an increase in
their confidence which is the key to success.

2 Support the child—Not the bike

We instinctively want to help the child by

holding onto the bike to keep it from tipping;
don’t do this. If the adult supports the bike
when it tips to one side, the child mistakenly
thinks the most stable place for the bike is
tipped over to the side. If the child needs
assurance, walk next to them and hang onto
the back of their shirt so they feel safe.

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3 Let your child set the pace

Some kids are cautious and may not

even sit on the seat at first. This is OK!
Their security is in their feet at this point,
and we want them to feel secure. As they
become comfortable walking around with
the bike between their legs and using the
handlebar, they will start to “trust” the
seat. Some kids get to this point within
minutes, and others may take weeks, but
all children will eventually get there. Let
them transition at their own pace... they’ll
be striding along with their feet up on the
footrests before you know it!

4 Be a cheerleader more than a coach

Many children will instinctively throw a leg

over the Strider and want to go, go, go. Some
children only want to spend a minute or two
walking their Strider around at first. Praise
them for any amount of time they spend on
the Strider.
Positive encouragement is great. If your child
is progressing, show them you notice by tell-
ing them what you see and offering a
well-earned high-five!

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1 Adjust the bike to properly fit your child

Seat height
If you have not purchased a Strider Bike, you can determine what size bike you need by
measuring a child’s inseam and subtracting 1”. The seat height is the most crucial
adjustment when fitting the bike to your child. Ensure your child’s inseam falls into the
seat height range of the Strider Bike you are purchasing.

Start by having your child

stand next to the bike and
adjust the seat so that it sits
slightly lower than the top of
their inseam.

To open the quick release

clamp on the seatpost, open
the lever with one hand, and
slide the seat to the To tighten a quick
appropriate position with the release clamp, press
firmly with the palm of your
other.
hand to close. If it leaves a mark
on the inside of your hand, it
Typically when your child is comfortably seated on should be perfect to make the
the bike with shoes on there should be a slight bend seat stay put but also easily
in the knees (see the photos below). This is the most allow for future adjustments.
efficient and enjoyable position for children to get the
best striding movement as well as maintain control
while riding. However, every child is different. Feel free
to try a few different seat heights to accommodate
your child’s comfort level.

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 Does your child have the
tendency to hit the frame of
the Strider Bike while
running? Try lowering the On both the seatpost and handlebar, there are
seat to allow more leg minimum insertion marks. For your child’s safety,
clearance. insert the posts into the frame far enough so the
dashed lines do not show (see diagram above).

Handlebar height
The second most critical adjustment is handlebar height. The best starting point
for handlebar height is to set it with respect to the seat. If the seat is at its lowest
setting, set the handlebar to also be at its lowest setting, etc.
Typically the handlebars are set about belly button level, but feel free to try out
different heights and see what makes your child feel the most confident.

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Safety gear

Adjust the crown of the helmet so it doesn’t move while the

child rides. The helmet should be worn low in front,
slightly above the eyebrows to protect the forehead. The
helmet should fit snugly, but not uncomfortably tight. The
chin strap should be worn well back against the throat, not
on the point of the chin. If a child opens their mouth wide the
helmet should pull down on the head.

To check the basic fit, hold the helmet with both hands and
twist it gently to the left and to the right. If the helmet fits
properly, the skin on the forehead will move as the helmet
moves. To check the strap tension, hold the helmet with both
hands and try to remove it by rolling the helmet forward and
backward. If you can roll the helmet forward so far that it
blocks the child’s vision or backward far enough to expose
the forehead, it doesn’t fit correctly. Repeat sizing steps until
helmet movement is minimal.

Don’t forget shoes! Children should always wear closed-toe

shoes while riding. Remember, these are their brakes, and
they need to protect those precious piggies! Lead by
example. Parents should always wear a helmet and proper
safety gear as well.

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 Remember, riding is fun! A great
way to learn and
practice is by playing exciting
games and activities.

Follow the leader

This is an excellent activity to

observe your child and make sure
their bike is fitting properly while
still being active and having fun.

Encourage your child to go around

obstacles and ride on various
types of terrain like grass,
sidewalks, or rocks.

Practice your balance

Although balance may seem

effortless to an adult, it’s still a
fairly new concept to a
toddler. There are several ways to
practice balance on and off the
bike. Try balancing on a board on
the ground like a tight rope, or
practice balancing bean bags on
your head, just for fun!

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2 Support the child—Not the bike!
Avoid the urge to hold your child’s bike up for them. They must
be allowed to feel the bike lean from side to side to learn how
to keep it from tipping over completely.

Strider Bikes have a very low center of gravity, which makes it

easy for your child to get on and off the bike, as well as handle
it with control. Your child always has 4 points of contact with
the ground: two wheels (one in front and one in back) and two
feet (one on each side of the frame). In fact, if they let go of
the bike when standing still, it might not even tip over at all.
Because it’s so lightweight and has a low center of gravity, the
bike will most likely stay upright between their legs without
them even having to hold on at all.

Many children make exceptional progress by watching

someone demonstrate what they want the child to do. Try
dusting off your old bike and show them how you would stride!

Is your child having trouble getting on and off the bike on their
own? Try having them step over the frame of the bike while it is
laying on the ground and then lift it between their legs by grab-
bing onto the handlebar and pulling it upward.

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3 Let your child set the pace

Riding a bike is more than the time you

spend in motion. Help your child enjoy
the entire riding experience by mixing
it up, taking breaks, and making the
entire ride an adventure. Every time they
push the bike, pick it up, play with it, or
ride, it is progress!

Walk the line

Using sidewalk chalk or tape, make a

straight or curved line for children to
practice walking on. The goal is to stay on
the line without falling off.

As children progress, you could turn this

activity into a race for some friendly
competition.

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Try building some confidence first. In Strider Education Classes, Certified Instructors
have their students use small dowels about 15” in length to practice steering and
turning. This is especially helpful for children who are a little apprehensive about trying
new things, or doing too many things at once.

While holding a dowel—or imaginary handlebar—have your child practice turning by

walking and pretending to steer through turns. Make it fun, try pretending they are
airplanes! Encourage holding the dowel away from their body with arms extended like
they would if they were on the bike.

Once your child has practiced a few “imaginary turns,” draw a curved line with
sidewalk chalk and have your child try to balance by walking and steering all at once.
When your child has this mastered, have them try on their bike. For an extra challenge,
try steering around obstacles.

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 Never force your child to sit on the seat. Most children will start off with the bike between their
legs and not sit at all. Allowing them to do this is an important part of the striding experience.
When a child feels the bike tipping beneath them, they learn to hold it up. (Remember hold the
child not the bike?) It also helps them gain the beginning skills to balance. Striding is attained
when kids transition from 100% of their trust in their feet to 100% of their trust in the seat (feet
off the ground and balancing). This will come with time; it’s imperative not to rush this process.

Sleepy bear (animal game)

It’s time to break out your imagination! This game is all about fun and learning new
skills while kids pretend to be animals. When you shout out an animal, have your
child ride around imitating what that animal would do on a bike! When you say
“Sleepy Bear,” your child should stop and yawn and pretend to take a nap on the
handlebars.

Other animals include:

Elephant (stomping)
Jack Rabbit (jumping with both legs)
Cheetah (go as fast as you can)
Bird (try to keep your feet up and out like wings)
Mouse (tiny quick steps)
Sleepy Bear (pretend to sleep)

Feel free to let your child suggest other animals as well. When your child pretends
they are an animal, it helps them maneuver their bike in different ways without giving
it much thought. This helps your child improve their riding skills at their own pace with
support from you!

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4 Be a cheerleader more than a coach

Nothing ruins the fun more in a child’s eyes than being told what to do. We want your
child to have the most enjoyable experience possible when learning to ride their Strider
Bike as well as when they are ready to transition to pedals.

If your child doesn’t seem interested in riding, try having a Strider play date or have your
child watch some cool videos at www.Striderbikes.com/learn-to-ride for stride-spiration!
You’ll enjoy them too!

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 Practice makes perfect

Looking for some activities for your rider?

The rocket game

The Rocket Game is a super fun way to encourage your child to

improve their skills and practice gliding with their feet up through
imagination and play.

Have your little Strider rider run with their bike to gain some speed.
When you say “3…2…1… Blast Off!” encourage them to pick up their
feet to build their balance and coordination by coasting.

It helps to keep the activity and momentum moving by playing in a big

circle (like in a driveway or parking lot).

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 Scavenger hunt

The idea for a scavenger

hunt is to help children
improve balance and
coordination by exploring
places where they may
not typically ride.

Examples of things to
include in the scavenger
hunt:

• Find one big and one

little pine cone.

• Pick up a piece of
trash you find on the
ground to show you
love our planet.

• Stop to take a picture

of a bird with mom or
dad’s phone.

• Find a stick in the

shape of the letter Y.

• Find and stride

around 5 trees or
shrubs.

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Why balance is so important

Balance is key to almost every physical sport and activity. Kids need to be active on a daily
basis and balance plays a big role in the development of our children. People of all ages and
abilities can benefit from working on their balance and from being active.

Balance strengthens all of these important developmental building blocks:

• Attention and Concentration • Muscular Strength

• Body Awareness • Muscular Endurance

• Bilateral Integration • Self Regulation

• Crossing Mid-Line • Postural Control

• Hand-Eye Coordination • Sensory Processing

• Hand Dominance • Isolated Movements

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Balance and gross motor skills go hand in hand. Gross motor skills are important to
enable children to perform every day functions, such as walking, running, climbing and
playing as well as sporting skills like throwing and catching a ball. These skills help
everyday self-care skills like dressing, brushing teeth, eating with utensils, and much more!
Gross motor skills also help develop endurance, which can help your child concentrate and
participate through a full day of school more easily.

Make it a family affair!

We have heard success stories of kids on

Strider Bikes going miles with the family, keeping
right up with the pack! Riding a Strider allows kids
to go longer and further, with less stress than
other ride-on toys or bikes with training wheels.
Parents will be amazed at what their children can
do! Strider Bikes offer riders the opportunity to
ride on new terrain and the chance to practice on
obstacles.

Family walks are also a great

opportunity to promote good
safety practices, like wearing a
helmet and crossing the street.
Children will be so excited that
mom and dad are now trying to
keep up with them, instead of the
other way around!

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 There are so many different things
you can do on a Strider Bike! Help
your child expand their imagination
and their riding skills by
introducing them to new obstacles,
games, and activities before
transitioning to pedals.

Obstacle course

This activity can be as simple or elaborate as you would like. This is a great way for
kids to show off their skills. Use things like bubble wrap, tunnels, boards, gravel,
homemade ramps, or any other obstacle.

Simon says

Played just like traditional Simon Says, only with a bike! When you say “Simon says…
knock on your helmet,” the kids all do what “Simon Says.” Riders are eliminated from
the game by following instructions not prefaced with “Simon Says.” The last child
riding wins! If you are working with really young children don’t focus too much on the
”I didn’t say Simon Says” part, or even eliminating players at all. This is just for
practice and to incorporate new biking skills. Be sure to always include “Simon Says,
get on your bike” and “Simon Says, get off your bike” to make the most of practicing
getting on and off the bike without assistance. Once your Strider rider is proficiently
gliding, you can call out more advanced skills, like “Simon Says ride for 5 seconds with
your feet on the footrests!”

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Signs that children are ready to transition

• They can propel the bike and then

glide for long distances.

• They can handle the bike on a

• downhill slope without putting their
feet down.

• They can effectively steer through or

around obstacles in their path.

• They want to transition to a pedal

bike.

A reminder for parents

Don’t rush pedaling. Striding and practicing balance are fun! Even if children appear to be
striding like a pro, moving to a pedal bike too soon can derail progress. Let them
continue to practice and perfect their balance and bike-handling skills. Be confident that
the time spent on their Strider Bike will help them easily transition to pedaling when the
time comes. And, with the improved skills they gained it will be a safer and more
enjoyable ride.

Is pedaling the most important thing? No. Loving to ride is the goal.

What defines riding? Does pedaling define riding? Downhill mountain bikers don’t pedal,
road bike riders descending a highway don’t pedal, BMX riders in a half-pipe don’t pedal,
and motorcyclists don’t pedal. They are all riding. So what do they all have in common?
The ability to balance on two wheels and lean through turns, regardless of what put them
in motion. For children, walking and running are the natural means of propulsion. The
simplicity of Strider Bikes allows children to concentrate on the fundamental skills of
balancing, leaning, and steering while propelling the bike in a natural way.

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 We’ve stressed the importance of not rushing into pedaling. However one of the most
common questions we get about transitioning is:

“What first pedal bike do you recommend?”

After years of struggling to come up with a good answer to this question, we finally just
came up with a good BIKE for this question instead. The perfect bike is lightweight, low to
the ground, easy to transition, even easier to pedal, and perfectly fits a 3-7 year old. Now
we have an easy answer to the age-old question and that is: a Strider 14x is the best bike
for your child—hands down.

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What makes Strider 14x the best bike for your child?

The Strider 14x is the total package and brings the entire learn-to-ride process
together with one product. Because it starts as a balance bike, and transitions into a
pedal bike, it allows your child to learn the balancing skills and confidence needed to
safely transition to pedaling.

When your child is proficient in balance-bike mode, you can easily convert the bike they
already love to a pedal bike in just a few quick steps.

Once the 14x pedal kit is attached, the narrow pedals allow your child to stride around
the outside of the pedals to gain the momentum needed to begin pedaling.

With the Strider 14x you can skip the banged up shins and frustrations that come with
learning to ride on a typical pedal bike.

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 Join the community!
Connect with us on social media @striderbikes and see what other
Strider riders around the world are doing!

We love to see pictures of kids on Strider Bikes. Submit your photos at

www.StriderBikes.com/photocontest

#StrideOn!
@StriderBikes
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