However, loving to ride a bicycle, even making long trips does not mean that you have to engage in cycling. In order to enjoy the bike ride, you just need to be in good shape.
Children under 8 years are not recommended to seriously engage in cycling. Abuse of cycling leads to a sharp increase in the volume of muscles on the legs to the detriment of the development of other parts of the body.
Cycling is not welcome with some deviations in the development of the spine. In addition, do not bike, if the child has problems with the vestibular apparatus and coordination of movements.
However, this does not mean that the bicycle should be abandoned altogether. It is very useful for the development of muscles and joints. And it's hard to imagine a child who does not know how to ride a bicycle.
At what age do you put your child on a bicycle ?
On a tricycle it is possible to plant a child from any age. If your kid himself gets to the pedals and can take himself - give him that opportunity.
Three-wheeled bicycles have one unpleasant feature. When the kid at a speed turns the steering wheel, and consequently, the wheel, such a bicycle can easily fall. Be sure to show the child a master class on "How to properly keep on a bike so as not to fall."
When to transplant a child from a three-wheeled to a two-wheeled bicycle or when to remove additional wheels? There are no age restrictions. However, it is impossible to put a child on such a bicycle just because it's all done. So, do not do this if the child, for example, has weak legs or coordination is not formed. If you have a child active, mobile, if he jumps remarkably, maintains his balance, then at four years old he will only be happy to change to a two-wheeled bicycle. Keep in mind, than the weight of the child's body is smaller, so it is easier for him to sit on such a bicycle.
In addition, you can not just take the child and put him on a two- or four-wheel. Before this, teach him the technique of correct falling. How? Just do not prevent the child from "flying" from an early age, when he is just making his first attempts at walking. Let it get a little bit while there are two inches from the pot. Nature has awarded him an excellent mechanism of protection from injuries: if something is wrong, the kid instantly sits on the ass. Teach him when falling not to expose his hands. If he flies with his nose forward, he needs to bend back and sink to his knee. Teach the crumb to make somersaults forward, backward and sideways. You can even play "in the footboard", but only observe the measure and caution. The child should be prepared for an unplanned fall. This will help to avoid injury in the future.
Go for it!
First of all, correctly set the height of the seat: at the bottom of the pedal, the leg should almost completely straighten, and in the upper - do not touch the steering wheel. Make sure that the toddler puts his foot on the pedal with his entire foot - not a toe, not a heel, and a vault.
Next, adjust the height of the bicycle handlebars. A child should feel comfortable when holding out his arms with his arms outstretched, even on a turn. The steering wheel should not stand at an angle of 90 degrees. This remark is very important, since if in the event of an accident (falling of a baby from a bicycle or hitting an obstacle) the handle of the rudder is at the level of the abdomen, then there is a high probability of serious injury.
Some parents on four-wheeled bikes raise additional wheels. This is not worth doing. The baby will still rely on the right or left wheel, and therefore the bicycle will stagger from side to side. This does not give him stability. In addition, the child will not be able to quickly learn normal driving without additional wheels. This is even more dangerous than simply removing the "spare".
Older children buy bicycle helmets, which in case of an emergency protects the head from damage.
Before releasing the child to ride a bike from a hill, drive along the sidewalks and generally leave the zone of visibility - practice it, arrange several screening tests. Find a hill where he could move into the hollow and slow down. Let the young cyclist practice practicing doing eight on a level platform. Let him ride "snake", through the "gate".
Careful, expensive!
The greatest danger that can lie in wait for small cyclists is the road. It is strictly prohibited for children to travel where there is at least some kind of traffic. Find a place where there are no cars - a pavement, a dead end between houses or a school playground.
Since early childhood, accustom the child to observe the rules of the road. If you are riding with a child, follow the rules, even if there are no cars on the street. Compliance with the rules will ensure you and your child comfort and maximum safety.
Grow healthy!