We tested the FirstBIKE – the hottest (and safest!) balance bike on the market to see if learning to ride a bike really can be simple and stress-free… Plus, we have a FirstBIKE to give away to one lucky reader!
Is your child ready to learn how to ride a bike? We road tested the FirstBIKE, which has earned a reputation worldwide as the safest balance bike for little ones, and helps them to learn how to ride with confidence. The FirstBIKE is available to buy here in Singapore, so we tested it out by giving our toddler his first experience on two wheels. Want to know if it lives up to all the praise? Read on…
Get to know your wheels
We know this design is an award-winner, but what makes the FirstBIKE special? This balance bike was designed in Germany by Ralf Coerschulte: a cyclist, product designer and dad who was determined to help young kids learn to ride a bike safely and stress-free. What’s a balance bike, you say? The FirstBIKE is a pedal-free set of wheels that helps kids build their sense of balance and develop their motor skills as they master staying upright, steering and speeding off! This all makes for a smooth transition to a pedal bike, without the need for training wheels.
Setting it up
We had it ready in around 15 minutes, which is just about how long you can distract a three-and-a-half-year-old who suspects there’s a surprise waiting on the other side of his bedroom door. And we love that the seat is easy to adjust to the perfect height without tools – this flexibility means our little boy won’t outgrow his FirstBIKE too quickly. Got a tiny toddler who wants to learn? The bike is ideal for kids age two to five, but a special lowering kit allows little ones as young as 22 months to have a go, too. PS If you need a hand putting the bike together (or hate reading manuals like we do, check out the official support page for a video tutorial on how to assemble your FirstBIKE.)
Safety first
Let me sum it up in one word: handbrake. Not all balance bikes for toddlers come with one, and the FirstBIKE’s brake allows kids to come to a gentle, gradual stop. The steering limiter keeps kids moving at a safe angle and helps prevent rough falls; a flexible frame aids shock absorption; and there are no sharp edges or bits that stick out and can cause injury. There’s a reason why the FirstBIKE is known as ‘the safest bike on the street’.
And we’re off!
The FirstBIKE prepares kids for riding a pedal bike – without training wheels. And it’s designed for kids to learn intuitively – when our little boy hopped on, he new exactly what he was supposed to do.
The maiden voyage was down our hallway and around the living room – our young rider found it easy to steer around an obstacle course of sofas, a coffee table and a baby brother; I can’t imagine that happening indoors with training wheels. And he was so keen to get to the park with his new wheels that he carried the bike to the door (yep, it’s that light) and put on his helmet and shoes. We had to convince him to put on some more clothes, too.
It can take a little bit of time for kids to feel for the right sense of balance, but once they find their feet, they’re off! There were loads of smiles as we watched our little boy see what he could do – it’s a great tool for helping kids build self-confidence. And, it has to be said, it took a lot more time convincing our son to wear a helmet than it did to get him on the move with his FirstBIKE. (Don’t forget to check out the HoneyKids guide to getting a good bike helmet for kids in Singapore, too.)
While it’s still early days, we’re looking forward to lots of fun outings and a smooth transition to a ‘big boy bike’ when it’s the right time – then we can hit all those great destinations for bike riding with the family in Singapore.
WIN a FirstBIKE!
Ready to ride? HoneyKids has a FirstBIKE Street model, valued at $205, plus a matching basket and bell to give away! Just head over to the HoneyKids Facebook page and answer a simple question for the chance to win. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday 12th October, 2015. Winners can choose a FirstBIKE in pink, green, red, violet, orange or blue. See here for HoneyKids’ competition terms and conditions.