The wheeler - optimal preparation for cycling

Wheelers are the ideal companions to prepare children for cycling. They impart the ability to balance on two wheels, all by themselves and at the child's pace. The transition to the right bike is then just a breeze.

Children who have ridden a tricycle and an impeller usually sit down at some point and master the technique almost effortlessly from the start. With the tricycle you learn to steer and pedal, with the wheeler you can safely use two wheels. Everything you need to know about impellers is explained in the following article.

(c) pic by fotolia

When can children run the bike?

As an entry age for the impeller usually two years are specified. Whether your child at this age is ready to learn how to use this vehicle, can be easily determined: either it uses the wheel immediately or it remains for a while in the nursery or in the garage. Give your child the wheel again and again - when the time comes, it will deal with it. For many children, the impeller phase starts at two and a half to three years, just the right age to vigorously exercise the sense of balance before cycling.

Attention, Caution - risk driving the impeller

On the one hand, children can control an impeller well because they can always decide whether to use their feet or not. On the other hand, most wheels have no brakes, which means that on downhill terrain the speed of the wheel can easily get so fast that the child can not stop. Therefore, wheels should best be used only on level terrain. Impellers do not belong in the traffic. Toddlers are quickly overwhelmed when they are traveling at high speed and also have to pay attention to other road users. Even the use in the pedestrian zone or on sidewalks (as you can often observe), is borderline. There, the bike should rather be pushed. When riding a bike children should always wear a helmet, because the speeds can be remarkably high.

Keep your eyes open when buying a wheeler

If you want to buy a wheeler for your child, safety and quality should come first. You should pay particular attention to the following points, your child should be the best when buying the wheeler:

• The entry should be as low as possible.
• The wheeler should be height adjustable, small children grow quickly
• If the wheeler has a stand, even small children can learn to park safely.
• For a good suspension, a pneumatic tire is recommended.
• The handlebars must be limited in the steering angle so that the handlebars do not over-tighten and the child can fly over it.
• Handlebar grips must be rubber-coated to prevent injury.
• The weight of the impeller should not exceed four kilograms.
• If the wheeler has a brake, it should hit well but not block too hard.
• Pay attention to safety and inspection seals. The impeller should have a seal of approval.

Wood or metal - the right material for the wheeler

Whether you choose an impeller made of metal or wood, is a matter of taste and on the other depends on the garaging. Wheelers made of wood are visually usually very appealing, but can be stored in the open air. Careful and stable processing of wooden components is particularly important. Metal wheels are generally more robust and resistant to moisture, but often heavier.

This is how your child learns to drive the wheeler

If children are safe and able to stand well, they are basically old enough to sit on a wheel. Just as decisive is the stride length, which means that the child's legs must be long enough to sit stably on the saddle and give the necessary feed. This only works really well when the legs are slightly bent and the child can easily get off the ground.

The first time you push the wheeler into your child's hand, the following may happen: The wheel starts to slide. Now you are irritated, right? An impeller is there to drive! But your child does not know that, but it discovers in its speed and according to its abilities the possibilities offered by the new toy. Of course, you are welcome to show him how it is "right" and put it on the wheel, maybe it starts immediately. But maybe it will go down again and insist on pushing first. Optimally, keep yourself out of the game and have your child determine the moment when they first get on the wheel - you can not accelerate this development anyway. But slow it down by pushing your child. It will decide for itself when it will eventually hit the wheel and start driving. This can take minutes or weeks, so be patient if necessary.

Learning the wheeler is an excellent balance exercise for your child and may also be an excellent lesson for us parents. You can see in this example just how your child is approaching a new ability. The more you let things go in this regard, the more you do for the self-esteem of your child, who eventually developed the impeller on his own.