Hape – My First Balance Bike!
The big kids both had balance bikes though never really seemed to take to them. We lived in a gardenless flat in London when they were tiny, and barely took the bikes out with us as they were heavy and cumbersome, so I suppose really, they didn’t have the chance. Another reason was that Florence’s was such a heavy thing she could barely hold it up; when it came to the time she was physically able to, she was actually well past the balance bike stage anyway so they never got the chance to ride. Florence, always a determined little thing, began to learn to ride her big bike when she was six but it took much determination and patience for Jonny who had to run with her, bent over, as she got to grips with it. She did, but it took a while.
Jimmy on the other hand was absolutely not interested at all. He’d scooted and was fine with that showing no interest in biking whatsoever until lockdown hit, family bike rides were on the agenda and we sort of forced him to do it. Again it was laborious and being nearly 8 as well as not interested, it took a good deal of persistence on Daddy’s behalf to get him there. Once he could do it he loved it and said he’d wished he’d done it earlier. Go figure. Still in lockdown we had all the time in the world to get Raffie outside and learning to bike and I bought out Jimmy’s old balance bike for him to practice on. Within days, what with the freedom and desire as he wanted to be like his big brother and sister, he could balance bike like a pro and that little lightweight bike came with us everywhere until… One day he asked to get on Jimmy’s old bike and without any thought he just did it. Off he went. No stabilisers, nothing! Just could ride a bike and that was entirely down to being a balance bike expert.
Obviously I want Posie to get in on this action early like Raffie too but she’s such a dinky dot at 16 months, even the lightweight green balance bike which was rejected by Jimmy and then loved by Raffie, is too big for her. But, she of course wants to be just like the rest of them too. In step the Hape My First Balance Bike and now Posie is well on the way to biking earlier than even Raffie!
The thing about balance bikes is they give a little confidence early on with the promise of not falling off because essentially, you are scooting but on your bum. Once you’ve learned to balance however, and this comes pretty quick, the skill is there. Getting it in as early as possible, before any fear can set in which was Jimmy’s problem I think, is the key. The Hape “My First” Balance Bike has two sturdy wheels at the front which promote that safe feeling, One wheel is a little terrifying but with a united duo at the back to keep the bike upright, even when the child isn’t on it, they can see that it won’t fall once they sit down.
Posie is very tiny and has had a bit of trouble sitting on the seat but it moves forwards, pushing the seat upwards, meaning she can lean back into it for now and has been getting on great guns!
She is loving getting on her bike like the rest of them and is getting faster and faster scooting her little legs along. It is just the right size and weight for a tiny tot and though it is recommended for ages 18m+ and she isn’t quite there yet (she started using hers at 14 months) the 1.6kg frame is easy for her to maneuver and both pull as well as ride.
The wheels are slide-proof which means they won’t scratch the floor and even though we have taken ours outside they haven’t got damaged or scratchy. The handlebars are also non-slip and have chunky ends perfect for little hands to grip onto. Posie knows exactly what to do on the bike having watched her brother on his and is well away learning how to change direction and get on the move wheel-wise! The steering is limited to 60 degrees which means she can’t veer off wildly in the wrong direction so it almost holds her hand as she learns these skills.
Learning to balance is all children need to be able to ride a bike and by the time Posie moves up to the next size balance bike she will already be able to do this thanks to the Hape My First Balance Bike, in turn she will then easily move to riding a peddle bike just like her brother I’m sure!
It’s very easy to put together as well, I sat down thinking right! This will take some work and literally just a couple of slots and it was done, which was great as she was already champing at the but to get off on her new bike. Easy to see why huh!
The bike costs £49.99 and would make a perfect first birthday present and beyond! We will keep you updated of our biking adventures with Posie. And Raffie, who is desperado for a new bike of his own which doesn’t have scratches and bits broken off it (the cost of being a number 3 baby) but he will get one, perhaps when he turns 5 and by then Posie will be well away too!
Collaboration.
Follow