Alternative to Training Wheels Gains Speed in U.S., Balances Safety With Design

TDmonthly, April 2009
By Sheri Jobe

When it comes to parents picking bikes for their kids and manufacturers specifying which design is best, there are some strong opinions out there. And the latest bike innovation to make its way to the U.S. — the balance bike — is no exception, TDmonthly Magazine learned. But what unites the two groups, despite complaints or differing philosophies on bicycle design, is that they all feel strongly that the balance bike is the way to get kids cycling early. See comparison chart of various models.

Children’s wooden balance bikes have been around for at least 17 years, with the German-made PEDObike claimed on its website as the first commercial model for children, designed in the early 1990s. But, the actual concept goes back much further. The very first bicycle was a pedal-less bike called a laufmaschine by its maker Baron Karl von Drais, who patented the bike in 1818. German for “running machine,” it was also called the draisine or dandy horse. The fad soon faded, but about 50 years later, pedals were added and the rest is bike history.*

CONSUMERS WEIGH IN

Overwhelmingly, consumer reviews of balance bikes are enthusiastic about the concept. Even when buyers have complaints about the product they purchased, they are still sold on the idea behind it — shortening or skipping the use of training wheels. See below a summary of online consumer reviews of various Balance Bike models, ordered from the highest star ratings to the lowest, or unavailable.

Consumer Reviews
Reviews are based on a 1- to 5-star scale and were found variously at Amazon.com, RunBikes.com, FatBrainToys.com, Buzzer Fly Kids (BuzzerFly.com), TricycleKids.com, BabyWorld.co.uk, ThatCuteAge.com. Kidbuyproducts.com and Gruntlings.com.

BIKE MAKERS DEBATE KEY FEATURES

Some features that have been highly debated among bike makers are the use of a steering limiter, which prevents the wheel from turning 360 degrees; whether or not the bikes should have brakes; wood versus metal frames; and whether tires should be inflatable or solid.

Click here for a comparison of different models.

The arguments essentially boil down to issues of safety, aesthetics and “how much is too much” for 2- or 3-year-olds to learn. The basic idea behind the balance bike is to teach balance. While some designs stick strictly to that tenet, resulting in a simple, two-wheeled vehicle without pedals, other bike makers choose to employ additional features.

Brakes aren’t necessary, some manufacturers told TDmonthly, because the natural instinct is for youngsters to simply use their feet to stop, “Flintstones” style. Other camps see the brake as something learners can use when they are ready, and several braking options are available from different manufacturers.