My First Time Riding a Bike

I remember clearly the first time I rode a bicycle with no training wheels.  I was six years-old, it was the end of summer and I desperately wanted to take those darn training wheels off my bike and ride a big girl bike like my three older sisters. I practiced every day for the entire summer but every time my Dad tried taking off the training wheels, I would fall and scrape my hands, elbow and knees - this was not fun.  But my older sisters all learned and I knew I would too.

Then one day it just happened, it was right before the start of school and my sisters were outside playing and cheering me on to try again. So I did.  I remember my oldest sister holding me from behind and not letting me go. She told me to keep pedalling and look strait ahead. Before I knew it, she had let go and I was riding a bicycle all my myself for the very first time. What a rush!  This was one of the most memorable moments I had as a child - finally being able graduate to big girl status. I knew I would now be part of my older sisters riding clubs and be able to go on adventures and explore with them.

Well, it didn't exactly turn out that way - they were a few years older and had no interest in Lil sis tagging along. But what I did learn was that riding a bicycle was the first step to independence and being able to freely explore my neighborhood. I created my own bike club and rode with my best friend - together we travelled far, exploring our childhood neighborhood from the corner ice cream store to our many parks.  Riding a bike was the beginning of many child adventures and pleasant memories for me.

When my first son was born,  I was already looking forward to the day he would ride a bike for the very first time. When he was two years-old, I researched bikes with training wheels and came across a new concept in learning how to ride - the balance bike. I was very intrigued and decided to purchase one of these bikes for my son. It was the best decision I made and to this day still the best toy I have bought. We have spent countless hours outside, at the park, riding, exercising and simply having fun. My son would ask for his bike every day when he woke up. He rode it before preschool and again as soon as he got home.

A year later, I bought a 12 inch bike with no training wheels. I asked my son if he wanted to try riding it. He jumped on and rode off - I was so amazed at his skills.  Having learned how to balance on a balance bike, he took about 5 minutes to learn how to pedal and that was it. No looking back. He's been riding all summer and his shiny red bike is his new favourite toy. He asks for it every day when he wakes up and when he gets  home from school.

My youngest son also just started riding on his balance bike. He is two-years-old and can't wait to be like his big brother and ride his own bicycle!