Southern California - what is the best technique to teach a 4yrs to ride?

I feel I might have neglected my boy over the past few months. Having the opportunity to enjoy riding with my spouse and dropping the kids to the grand parents, I feel it is time to teach my older son how to ride on two wheels.

I decided to take him to the park/ or somewhere after work today and hopefully he can pick it up. I'm seeking advance and ways that might increase the success on teaching him how to ride.

He is 4+yrs going to be 5yrs in May. Currently he is riding with a pair of trainer wheels. I hope he got his dad genes [I learnt at the age of 2 1/2yrs on two wheels] and get it on the first try. Of course, I will not give up on him....:D

I know by now [being it is such a beautiful day today] most of you have log off and go ride. Perhaps, if anyone out there happen to come across this message, I will sure appreciate any pointers.

My work buddies got a kids bike and pulled the cranks. The kids would ride around on the bike like it was a scooter for a while, and learn to balance without getting distracted by the pedals.

Then they put the cranks back on, and it just seemed to work. They said they were riding in a weekend.

Take him to a park or parking lot where there are no borders - someplace where he doesn't have to worry abut turning or stopping.

My brother taught both his son and daughter how to ride without pedals. That way, they can concentrate on balance only and not have to worry about having to pedal at the same time.

Take him to a wide open area where he can go in any direction and bring your running shoes. Be prepared to run alongside him holding onto the seat for a long time keeping him upright. Knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet will help to keep him from getting scraped up and discouraged. Don't get frustrated, he might not be ready yet. If he doesn't get it right away, stop and try again later in the day, don't push it.

And be prepared to have an ear to ear smile when he makes it...bring a camera!

Good luck!

I tried a few approaches, but found that going to the park or big open area, and running along side while pushing on the back of the seat worked best. When I'd let go, my boy was fine until he realized that I wasn't holding on, then he stop or fall over. It didn't take long for him to catch on. We started on grass and moved to basketball courts and parking lots.

Thanks all. I will try to remove the pedals [ dont have the tools to remove the cranks] and give it a try.

He does have helmet but I need to pick some knee/ elbow pads.
Wish me luck guys.
ps- am I to assume also to remove the trainer wheels as well? along with the pedals

Sometimes kids will tell you when they're ready. My son refused to ride with trainers because he thought he was too old for it. (He was 4 or 5 at the time.) But he also couldn't stay up on two wheels, that made it so he didn't want to ride at all. This standoff continued for about two years until one day he said he was ready. So I bought him a bigger bike with no trainers and took him to the park. He got up the very first time and has been riding ever since.

Thanks all. I will try to remove the pedals [ dont have the tools to remove the cranks] and give it a try.

He does have helmet but I need to pick some knee/ elbow pads.
Wish me luck guys.
ps- am I to assume also to remove the trainer wheels as well? along with the pedals

Yes, remove the training wheels.

I'm proud to say my son learned to balance on the bike just a little under an hour. I thank you all for your suggestion.

Maybe I'm just being a dad but I was so surprised and proud of him. I took only the trainer wheels off the bike b/c I couldn't get the pedals off. First 5-10min was hard for me...part of it because I was afriad to let him go and part of it because I was damn tired bending my back while running along with him on the bike.:eek:

After few more minutes I figured why not give an initial push to get the momentum. And with that the rest was history. My son was able to pedal and balance all by himself.

Here are few pictures......[I hope the BF don't mind, I'm just so proud of him that I wanted to share]

First Step..
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/?action=view&current=FristStep.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/FristStep.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
And off he goes
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/?action=view&current=RideHeGo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/RideHeGo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Sister is next in line...
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/?action=view&current=SisterNext.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/SisterNext.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Even his fall is graceful...:)
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/?action=view&current=IMG_0800.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/IMG_0800.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Now all I need to show him is how to do the frist pedal stroke and how to stop. Any suggestion guys/gals?
Thanks again for all your help and taking time to share the moment with me.

I kept having problem to select the right link.
2nd attempt...
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/FristStep.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/RideHeGo.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/SisterNext.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/IMG_0800.jpg

you need technique?

just put him on the bike and let him do his thing

jeez stop being so protective, kids are turning into pansies cause parents are babying them

What Ovo means to say is that he'll teach your 4 yr old. And if you don't trust Ovo to do so correctly, can he just come play with him anyway? :)

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc174/wkend_Warrior/IMG_0800.jpg

:beer: Fantastic pics!!!!! This one, of course, is my favorite. He is so cute. :)