What Age Should Children Start Riding a Bike?

There is no set age for a child to start riding a bike - many will be strong enough to ride a pedal bike by the age of five, but it may take longer. Balance bikes are a great way to introduce your child to cycling. They have no pedals and your child uses their feet to keep their balance and propel themselves along. Stabilisers and tricycles are also good to use for extra balance before your child is ready to pedal on two wheels.

It is not recommended for children to cycle in traffic before the age of 10, even if they are with an adult. Most schools offer cycle training for children which gives them a practical introduction to riding safely on the roads.

Teaching Your Child to Ride a Bike Safely

Teaching your child to ride a bike safely is an important step toward independence. Start in a quiet, open area away from traffic, such as a park or an empty car park. Make sure your child wears a properly fitted helmet every time they ride. Adjust the bike so they can easily reach the ground and the brakes.

Show them how to start, stop, and steer smoothly before practising turning and signalling. Teach simple road rules, like looking both ways before crossing and staying alert for cars and pedestrians. Encourage patience and confidence. Praise their progress and remind them that safety always comes first.

The Bikeability Level 1 course teaches your child about bike maintenance, gliding and controlling their bike. Most children take part in Level 1 at school during Year 3 or 4. This is when they are between 7 and 9 years old. 

Bikeability Level 2 teaches your child to grow more confident on their bike and helps them understand how to ride safely on a road. Most children take part in Level 2 at school during Year 5 or 6. This is when they are between 9 and 11 years old.

Bikeability Level 3 gives them the skills they need to stay safe in more challenging urban situations, for example using junctions controlled by traffic lights, multi-lane roads or cycle lanes. Children can be ready for Level 3 from 11 years old, once they have completed previous levels.

Make Sure You Are Seen

Using bike lights is an important part of staying safe, especially in low light or at night. Front white lights help you see the road ahead, while rear red lights help drivers and other riders see you. Even during the day, lights can make you more visible in cloudy weather, rain, or shaded areas.

Make sure the lights are bright enough and fully charged or have fresh batteries before every ride. Attach them securely so they do not move or fall off. Teach children that turning on their lights should be part of their regular riding routine, just like wearing a helmet.

Reflective clothing which is illuminated in a car's headlights makes you highly visible and is a great option for cyclists. You should never assume, however, that because you are highly visible, other road users will always see you. Stay alert and never ignore other important safety measures, such as road positioning. 

Find out about Norfolk County Council's Be Switched On campaign

Road Positioning

It's easy to assume that staying as close as possible to the kerb keeps you out of the way of cars and therefore safer, but that is not the case. It encourages cars to overtake you in tight spaces and you will also have to deal with hazards like drains, potholes and debris such as broken glass. You are also less likely to be visible to drivers. It is important to remember that when cycling on a road you are part of the traffic and you are not in the way of other road users.

There are two main positions you should use when cycling on the road - primary and secondary.

The primary position is when you ride in the centre of the lane, where a car would be. You should use this position when the road is narrow, when you're approaching junctions or roundabouts, or when approaching traffic lights, so cars cannot pull alongside you and box you in.

The secondary position is about a metre from the edge of the road and is a good option for wider, faster roads. It keeps you away from debris on the road edge and means cars can still pass you safely without having to squeeze past.

Road Safety - Younger Children

Road Safety - Older Children

Hand Signals

Part of being safe on the road is communicating with other road users what you are planning to do next. It is important that children practise these skills and be comfortable and confident using them before they ride on the road.

Find a quiet, traffic free place where they can practise and get used to using hand signals clearly and safely.

The first thing to do is look before you signal. Checking over your shoulder for a car behind you can be a tricky skill for children to master, so make sure they have plenty of practice.

When you signal, do it in enough time for others to see you. The most common hand signals your child will need are for turning. To turn left, hold your left arm out straight and to turn right, hold your right arm out straight. For both signals, you should return your hand to the handlebar before performing the turn.

Once you have signalled, check you have been seen and if you are not sure, signal again. It is useful to make eye contact with the driver you are signalling to, to make sure you have been seen.

When you are happy, proceed with the turn, taking a last look to ensure it is safe.