Running bikes for children from 1 year old: types and choices

Most parents, as soon as their baby begins to take the first independent steps, immediately buy him their "iron friend". The treadmill for toddlers from 1 year old has become an excellent alternative to walkers, it contributes to the good physical development of the child, and also allows them to quickly master the skills of cycling.

Riding a balance bike contributes to the physical development of the child, prevents the development of scoliosis and rickets, and also improves concentration. At the same time, it is not difficult to ride such transport - you just need to sit on it, accelerate, and then tuck your legs and try to maintain balance. The bike ride will go by inertia, from time to time the child will have to lower his feet to the ground in order to push off again and increase speed.

Such an unusual transport can teach a child a lot.

• Maintain balance. The child acquires this skill at a very young age, when all new kids grasp "on the fly".
• Navigate the terrain, correctly assess the relief... In the process of riding, the child begins to understand how the features of the road affect the speed of his movement, for example, the kid notices that the bike rides off the hill himself, and if he wants to get up, he will have to work with his legs.
• Respond promptly to potentially dangerous situations. If there are unexpected obstacles ahead, the baby can quickly lower his legs and brake, while there is no risk that the balance bike will overturn, as is the case with bicycles, there is no.
• Be confident in your abilities... Due to the contact of the feet with the ground, the baby does not have a sense of fear, so he overcomes all obstacles without unnecessary worries.

Let us dwell in more detail on the main advantages of a balance bike over other types of transport intended for children from 1 year old.

• During the ride, the child will develop coordination and dexterity.
• After the balance bike, the kid will change to a two-wheeled bike without any difficulties and will master the skills of riding it pretty quickly.
• Riding a cycle scooter strengthens the child's muscle frame, promotes better development of the musculoskeletal system - this is very important for the baby.
• Development of independence. Sometimes, while driving a balance bike, you have to make quick decisions. The child drives himself, drives the vehicle himself and, accordingly, is responsible for it himself.
• When a child travels, a sense of speed is formed, an instinct of self-preservation is formed.
• Equal development of both legs. In the process of moving on a ranbike, the child pushes off with both legs at once, which most favorably affects their development. This is the main advantage of the balance bike over the scooter, which involves pushing off with only one leg. Children quickly get used to such a ride and no longer change the position of their legs, and all mother's requests to change the position of the legs are simply ignored by the child. As a result, one limb becomes much stronger than the other - in the case of a balance bike, the legs are evenly loaded, so there is no problem.
• The design of the balance bike allows you to adjust the height of the handlebar and seat, thanks to which you can use the same model from the moment of purchase until it is replaced with a tricycle or two-wheeled bicycle.
• You can ride a balance bike all year round regardless of the season - summer and winter, autumn and spring. The most modern models are even additionally equipped with skis, they are mounted on wheels - thus a rather unusual means of transportation on the snow is obtained.
• The most important advantage is that almost all children like the scooter. However, this type of transport is to their liking not only for children, but also for their mothers. After purchasing a balance bike, walks for parents become more pleasant and easier. Mothers do not have to stop at every corner and wait for their baby.

Like any vehicle, a pedalless bike has its drawbacks.

• Models with plastic or foam rubber wheels, especially if they come with a hard seat, they are characterized by rather low shock absorption, almost zero. During a quick trip over uneven terrain, the baby's spine, arms and pelvic bones are subjected to vibration load, which is dangerous for the fragile baby skeleton.
• If your child develops too high a speed while riding, he may fall... Of course, the likelihood of falling from a run bike is much lower than from a bicycle, nevertheless, we recommend buying a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads for your baby.
• Be prepared for your child's shoes to wear out very quickly... Most balance bikes are not equipped with brakes, and even if they are, the baby simply does not know how to use them, and brakes with his legs, he also pushes off with his legs. As a result, the sole of the shoe deteriorates very quickly.
• We draw your attention to the fact that riding a balance bike is a physical activity, therefore, in the presence of severe chronic or mental illness, this type of activity is not recommended. In all other cases, the scooter is recommended for active use.

The range of balance bikes presented in the store is great. Let us dwell in more detail on the description of the most popular varieties of this children's mode of transport.

This type of scooter allows the child to move quite steadily. Most often, the design involves 3 wheels, which significantly reduces the risk of falls. The movement is carried out by a child by pushing off the ground with your feet. In such products, usually the seat is adjustable so that the device can be used for several years.

Several of the most popular models are worth noting.

• Happy baby neo... It is a light vehicle weighing only 1.8 kg. A pair of wheels is located in front and one behind. The product is distinguished by its compact size and comfortable steering wheel, which reduces slip while driving. This option is optimal for children from one to two years old.
• Tech Team Skyscooternew. This design can support a weight of up to 20 kg. Three soft wheels and special seats allow you to almost completely eliminate discomfort while driving.

These types of balance bikes are able to cover a fairly wide age range and are used from 1 year to 5-6 years and even more... The special design makes it possible to transform the run bike into balancers for older children, which is possible thanks to a special folding frame. The seat and handlebars can be adjusted to suit the child's height.

The most popular model is the scooter. Scoot & Ride Highway Baby Plus is a three-wheeled balance bike that can be easily converted into a scooter if necessary.

For young children, plastic balance bikes are purchased. As a rule, they have bright colors and are very popular with kids. In addition, such products are resistant to rust and can be used even in wet conditions. Another advantage of plastic scooters is their affordable cost.

The most popular plastic model is Orion toys. The product is intended for children from 1 year old. Plastic has a fairly high strength, the design is stable, but the model also has its drawbacks, namely:

• lack of amortization;
• the inability to adjust the height of the seat and steering wheel for the height of the child;
• this type of transport is best used for smooth roads.

Fans of eco-materials should give preference to balance bikes made of wood. A similar vehicle is environmentally friendly, does not contain harmful and toxic components. As a rule, the wooden balance bike has rubber wheels, so that, if necessary, they are quickly inflated by the parents. However, such models cannot be adjusted to the growth of the baby.

These scooters are characterized by high durability, they are ideal for the smallest athletes. They are usually equipped with three or four wheels. They can be made of plastic or have a metal frame. The most popular model is the Vip Lex. This ranbike is durable and stable, it is suitable for toddlers from 1.5 to 5 years old.

To choose the right balance bike for your baby, you should consider several important points.

• Product weight. The lower the weight of the scooter, the better, as this directly affects the ease of control. As a rule, the weight of products for babies from 1 year old starts from 1.8 kg, for older children it is 3-5 kg.

• Wheels. The more wheels there are on the ranbike, the more stable the structure will be. For babies from 1 year old, it is best to buy three- or four-wheeled models. Two-wheeled products usually become a transitional stage between the skill of riding a bike and a two-wheeled bike. Keep in mind, not only the number of wheels is of fundamental importance, but also their type and diameter - they are divided into airless and air tires. Air ones significantly improve the shock absorption characteristics of the entire structure and "hide" the flaws in the road, but they can be punctured, very often they require repair and pumping.

• Material... For the production of balance bikes, metal, plastic and wood are used. The wood is lighter and more environmentally friendly, but it does not provide for the possibility of adjusting the steering wheel and seat. Most often, such products are made in monolithic versions. The main advantage of plastic is its light weight, strength and resistance to corrosion. The advantages of metal balance bikes include the ability to adjust the level of the chair and steering wheel, which is present in almost all models. For a trip on bumps and off-road such ranbikes will be the best option.

• An important criterion when buying a balance bike is the seat height. Too high a seat will not allow the child to push off, and too low a seating position, on the contrary, will not allow you to enjoy the ride and speed to the fullest. To choose the most comfortable model for the child, you should measure the step size of the crumbs. It is simple to do this: put on him the shoes in which he will walk on the street, and measure the distance from the floor to the groin area, after which you need to subtract 3 centimeters from the result. This will give you the minimum allowed seat height.

Next, see the video review of the Chillafish Quadie balance bike for children from 1 year old.