Should i worry that my 4 year old can't peddle a bike?

Question

My older son could ride a bike when he was 2, but my younger one, who is now 4, still can't work out how to peddle!

How do i teach him?

Answer 1

I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 14, don't force him into it as it might just make him want to give up.

Be supportive and if he can't do it, he can't do it, it's not the end of the world.

Answer 2

I am not worry to much. My four year old son isn't peddle his bike either. I try to teach him how to do. But he not interested. He would like to ride his three wheel and use his feet to move.

Answer 3

I have a 4 yo girl, she's just now grasping the idea of how to peddle.  She still doesn't always get it, and she ends up peddling backwards most of the time, which on those little bikes does nothing but put the brake on! He'll get it, nothing to worry about!

Answer 4

Dont worry about it!

Everyone learns different things at different times in their lives. I couldn't ride a bike untill I was 6 but my older brother learnt at 4.

I learnt how to talk before him though. Everyone is different, and every child has special qualities and some of them develop skills quicker than others.

Dont worry honestly :-)

Ashley x3

Answer 5

no don't worry about it i have a 4 year old son who cant peddle his bike he likes to peddle backwards but wont do it forwards he will learn in the end its just lads are more lazy

Answer 6

No, I couldn't get it right until I was 5, one of the best memories with my grandpa! But are you saying he can't use the pedals or just can stay upright/stable?

Answer 7

not at all, i was 6 i think before i could, everyone can do things better than others and some things not as good. no doubt he is a happy child and that's all it is, normally the second child can be lazy and get the other to run around after them. but i promise you as long as he is healthy and smiling nothing else matters in the world.

Answer 8

i would not worry all kid's are at different stage's in development.

kids need the strength to be able to peddle there bike and that will only come thru perseverance

Answer 9

No, peddling requires a bit of coordination that takes a bit to master. Each of your children will have different strengths and weaknesses so try not to compare them.

Answer 10

how are all his other motor skills. if you notice that his fine and gross motor skills are fine then i wouldn't be worried. if he's having other troubles with motor skills then i would definitely keep and eye on it. if your worried about this id definitely ask your gp or ped. if he isn't developing his motor skills properly then its always better to catch it early and learn some exercises to help in this area. my son was peddling round the yard like a maniac at 2 but his older sister didn't learn how to peddle her bike until she was almost 6. she has aspergers though and with help from the doc we used hand eye co-ordination and strength execises and it worked wonders.  

Answer 11

yes lol jkjkjk I agree with answer #1

Answer 12

Don't be worrying, he'll get there sooner or later!

Answer 13

help him to understand the pushing on pedals with your hands on his knees feet whatever works for you.

Answer 14

Nah. Not everyone is a born athlete.

Answer 15

It's a skill that your son may find a little difficult to grasp onto, it takes a lot of co-ordination. What kind of bike are you talking about three or two wheeler bike? maybe you could get yourself a bike and by watching you he will try and copy from his mummy. Don't worry though, he will learn, it may just take a while, but as soon as he starts, he'll never stop riding his bike. Good Luck

Answer 16

he's finee. it'll come in time.

Answer 17

You have to let him go on his own. My daughter couldn't figure out how to work pedals either (but then again me & daddy always pushed her once she tried and couldn't) I tried the whole, "push down with this foot, then push down with that foot" I tried having her rest her feet on the pedals while I pushed her. She was simply lazy because she could be.

I got her a big wheel and told her....there ya go. And never pushed her on it. It's low to the ground so she can't tumble off, and it took less than a month for her to work out the pedals. Now after 3 months of riding, she's an expert at the pedals and we're going to give her a big girl's bike (training wheels) for her b-day.

Good luck. And every child develops at their own pace...so try not to compare one with the other. I know that's hard...I have 4 and I have to keep myself from saying "but she was doing this at this age".