Choose a bike adapted to the body shape of your child
The body shape of children is totally different from that of adults and yet, many children's bikes designs are not suitably adjusted.
Whether we are talking about the children's center of gravity, their leg length, their small hands, their strength, their shoulder width ... It is essential to take this into account so that the experience is oriented towards success, the pleasure of balance and self-confidence.
Choosing a bike for your child: balance above all else
More and more occupational therapists and physiotherapists will confirm it to you: we must change the way we teach our children to ride a bike!
Small stabilizing wheels (training wheels) are a thing of the past ... Learning to pedal tilted is a very bad way to acquire the necessary balance! Today, we know that it is essential to learn balance before learning to pedal, without forgetting the necessary development of coordination, but also of dissociation.
Dissociating the movements of the legs in a child is not innate. On a balance bike a child will first use both legs together before realizing that alternating the movement with one leg then the other, as with pedaling, will be better.
Choosing the right balance bike to find your child’s balance right from the start
Choosing a quality balance bike (a bike without pedals) will make it easy for your child to find his/her balance when learning to ride a bike, without using training wheels.
BEMOOV has created an exceptional balance bike for this. We prefer to call it a "balance bike" because indeed our balance bike is not a toy but a first bike without pedals!
Thanks to its perfectly designed ergonomics, with an ultra-light aluminum frame, a rear V-Brake, wide tires with an inner tube and an exclusive two-position footrest, it is the ideal tool to learn the joys of two wheels.
What should you consider to choose the best bike for your child?
First of all, the weight of the bike is essential. A good children's bike should be able to stay easily under their control when stationary, in motion, but also when braking. The ideal bike for your child should therefore be light and not exceed 30 to 40% of its weight.
The geometry of the frame must be adapted so that your child is in a stable and comfortable position. Sitting upright will allow the child to look straight ahead. A child must be able to get off or step over the frame very easily in all situations, not have his legs apart and be able to put his feet on the ground in all circumstances. For this, your child needs a bike with very low center of gravity, a suitable frame shape and a narrow crankset, like on a BEMOOV bike.
The length of the bike, as well as the angles formed at the level of the fork or the seat post, have been designed to favor stability, comfort, and safety.
A suitable crankset
First for improved safety, shorter crank arms help prevent the pedal from hitting the ground while having a bike with a low center of gravity.
Next, the width of the crank arms (the Q factor) must be specifically designed to ensure pedaling suited to the child's pelvic width, i.e. with the legs not too wide apart..
After careful study, this reduced width compared to conventional bicycles prevents part of the child's effort from being lost in the excessive spreading of the legs. Your child will feel like their bike is "going on its own"!
Easy to reach and easy to use brakes
Ideally, brake levers identified by different colors allow them to acquire their psychomotor skills (front brakes / rear brake), beginning with the balance bike.
Having a brake from the moment they begin to learn how to ride a bike will help children control their speed and no longer wear out the soles of their shoes ... and also help avoid minor injuries!
A child's bicycle should be designed for children
At BEMOOV, we want children to be able to acquire balance by making riding a bike a joyful experience and a unique adventure!
As a "balance supplier", our bikes are based on lightness, ergonomics, fun, long-lasting quality and of course, safety.