Big Leaps - Pediatric Physical Therapy in Greenwich, CT

Pediatric Therapy Practice

"Play is really the work of childhood"

                                       ~ Fred Rogers

                          

 999 Summer Street Suite 104

 Stamford, CT 06905

Tel: (203) 504-2408

  • Home

  • Who We Are

  • Therapy Services

  • Classes

  • Gallery

  • Contact

  • Blog

  • More

                     © 2018 by Big Leaps, LLC.

    • c-facebook
    • YouTube Social  Icon
    • Pinterest Social Icon

    Bike Recommendations

    April 25, 2016

    |

    Sneha Gosalia, PT DPT CKTP

     

    Teaching a child to ride a bike requires lower leg strength, balance, coordination, and motor planning.  It's best to begin with a tricycle or a balance bike and slowly progress to larger bikes as your child grows. To avoid spending hundreds of dollars every year, plan and know which bikes will last as well as grow with your child.

     

    Let’s evaluate bicycles for children based on age, performance, cost, and durability to select the best bike for each learning stage:

     

    1) The Schwinn Roadster Tricycle    

     

                                                                                     

    Ages: 1 ½ - 3 years old                                                                                                                 Price: $80-90

     

    Tricycles are a great way to teach your child the mechanics of pedaling and steering.  Your child will need to learn to control their motion using their legs and direct it with their arms.  The Schwinn Roadster Tricycle is an easy to assemble tricycle with a low center of gravity to help prevent tipping on turns.  This bike is easy to assemble however because of the seating position and the pedals being far forward, it may be harder to pedal for some children.  This bike is also on the heavier side so if your child lacks the strength to propel the bike, this may not be the best bike for your child.

     

     

    2) Radio Flyer Classic Dual-Deck Tricycle

     

     

     

    Ages: 2 ½ - 5 years old      

    Price: $50-60

     

    The Radio Flyer Classic Dual-Deck Tricycle is a classic trike, made of metal.  It’s dimensions are better suited for slightly older and taller kids.  The seat and handlebars are adjustable.  This bike tends to tip easily, so make sure you supervise your child.  Because it is made of metal, it is a durable and long lasting trike.  

     

     

    3) The FirstBIKE Balance Bike

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Ages: 2 - 5 years old      

    Price: $150-200

     

    The FirstBIKE balance bike is lightweight and a great way to help a child transition to a pedal bike.  Unlike Trikes, balance bikes have two wheels and lack pedals/chains/training wheels; which helps improve balance and coordination.  Young riders scoot themselves along with their feet and this allows them to learn how to balance on two wheels without the fear of falling over.  The FirstBIKE comes with a steering limiter to help children control the bike.  This bike lacks a foot stand, which forces children to suspend their feet when coasting.  It also has a drum brake for added stopping power and safety.  If you are debating between a tricycle or a balance bike, I would recommend going with the FirstBIKE balance bike.

     

    *Click here to choose the best balance bike for your child according to their age and size.

     

     

    4) Kettler Classic Flyer Retro Bike

     

     

     

    Ages: 3 - 6 years old      

    Price: $130-150

     

    Usually between the ages of 3 to 5, your child is ready to move up to a 12-inch bike.  This bike comes with removable training wheels as well as adjustable seats.  This bike is a well-built bike and is durable.  This bike weighs about 22 lbs, so it is a bit on the heavier side.

     

     

    5) Schwinn Scorch and Jasmine Bike

     

     

    Ages: 4 - 7 years old      

    Price: $100-150

     

    Around ages 4-7, your child will probably be ready to move up to a 16 inch bike.  At this age, a bike becomes less of a toy and more of a bike.  This bike is easy to assemble and the cost is on the lower side.  This bike has a coaster brake, which allows the child to stop the bike by pedaling backward as well as a front and rear hand brake.  This bike is heavy but stable and durable.

     

     

    6) Islabike Beinn 20

     

     

     

    Ages: 7 - 10 years old      

    Price: $400-450

     

    Around ages 7-10, you should consider upgrading from a 16-inch bike to a 20-inch bike.  Prices of bikes usually increase at this age and can cost anywhere between $100-$500.  The islabike comes with six gears, is light weight, fast, and versatile.  This is one of the best bikes on the market!

     

     

    It’s time to purchase your child’s first set of wheels!!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tags:

    Bicycle Riding

    spring

    pediatrics

    physical therapy

    bike recommendations

    balance

    coordination

    motor planning

    Please reload

    Recent Posts

    Holiday Gift Guide 2017

    December 7, 2017

    Tips & Tricks for Rolling!

    September 20, 2016

    Treatment Ideas for Balance

    July 21, 2016

    Core Strengthening Exercises

    June 22, 2016

    Noonan Syndrome

    May 16, 2016

    Bike Recommendations

    April 25, 2016

    Car Seat Recommendations

    March 22, 2016

    Torticollis

    March 3, 2016

    Fine Motor Development

    February 29, 2016

    Best High Chairs

    January 28, 2016

    Please reload

    Archive

    December 2017 (1)

    September 2016 (1)

    July 2016 (1)

    June 2016 (1)

    May 2016 (1)

    April 2016 (1)

    March 2016 (2)

    February 2016 (1)

    January 2016 (3)

    December 2015 (1)

    November 2015 (2)

    October 2015 (2)

    September 2015 (2)

    July 2015 (3)

    Please reload

    Search By Tags

    #balance

    #corestrength

    #noonansyndrome

    #stairs

    Bicycle Riding

    Coordination

    Motor Planning

    Postural control

    W sitting

    animal walks

    auditory

    baby equipment

    baby shoes

    back to sleep

    balance

    bike recommendations

    bilateral coordination

    body awareness

    booster seat

    boppy pillow

    car seat

    coordination

    core strength

    crawling

    cutting

    cutting skills

    digital pronate

    endurance

    fine motor

    fisted grasp

    gift guide

    grasp patterns

    grasping

    gross motor

    gustatory

    hand strength

    handwriting

    head control

    heel sit

    high chair

    holidays

    hypotonia

    learning walker

    leg strength

    long sit

    low muscle tone

    milestones

    motor planning

    muscle tone

    neck strength

    new balance

    new walkers

    occupational therapy

    olfactory

    pediatric shoes

    pediatrics

    physical therapy

    poor posture

    postural control

    proprioception

    quadrupod grasp

    reaching

    reciprocal pattern on stairs

    rolling

    safety

    scissors

    sensory processing disorder

    shape sorter

    side sit

    sneakers

    soccer

    spd

    spring

    stair climbing

    strength

    tactile

    tailor sit

    tall kneel

    toddlers

    trampoline

    tricycle

    tripod grasp

    tummy time

    tummy time toys

    tummy to play

    vestibular

    visual

    Please reload

    Follow Us
    • Facebook Basic Square
    • YouTube Social  Icon
    • Pinterest Social Icon