Balance bikes are unique vehicles for children between the ages of two and five (see the Wishbone 3-in-1's Push Trike configuration for younger children, they can ride a Push Trike as soon as they can walk!). There are no pedals. When first riding, kids play with their balance bike as they would with a hobbyhorse. They straddle the bike and walk with it standing up, then sit down on the seat and walk their legs to move the bike, then eventually push off harder and experiment with coasting. If the bike starts to tip, kids instinctively regain their balance with their feet. Riding a balance bike is incredibly fun, and at the same time, it's highly beneficial for the development of motor skills and sense of balance. Mastering how to ride a balance bike will give your child a huge boost in confidence.

I first saw a "walking bike" (aka push bike, balance bike, or running bike) on Sesame Street, when Grover went to the Netherlands and hung out with a girl named Madelief who was riding one. Since everyone in the Netherlands uses bikes to get around, the Dutch have figured out the easiest and most fun way for small children to learn to ride, and let me tell you, it does NOT involve dorky training wheels that keep you permanently tilted over to one side and don't help develop balance or coordination at all. Don't waste your money. High-riding bikes with training wheels are also much more dangerous than a balance bike that is low to the ground and easily righted by the child.

After I saw my first balance bike back in 2005, I had to find one for my son, which was not easy (or cheap!) back then. I finally found a German model and brought it out when he was 2 years old. He has been wild for biking ever since! It took him a little while to get the hang of it...at first he just used it like a hobbyhorse and didn't really go anywhere. But very soon he was whizzing around, coasting, going up and down curbs, the works. At 4 years old he was able to simply get on a regular pedal bike and ride it...no training wheels, no falls, no fears, no tears. At age 5, he still loves his balance bike, and uses it just as often as he does his pedal bike. His 2 year old brother is learning to coast with his feet up at the moment.

I currently offer two of the best balance bike options available, the Strider and the Wishbone 3-in-1. A summary of the main points is available at right. Click through to the product detail pages to find out more about each!