Originally Posted by
jfowler85
I started on training wheels; I've never fallen on clipless pedals, have sustained 2-3mph through iced over ruts, and consider my commute a failure if my average is below 20mph.
That being said, my 3 year old son loves his balance bike. He rips on that thing. The other day he was cutting so hard and so fast down the sidewalk that he lost it and went face first into the concrete, with his bike on top of him. His helmet, which he of course always wears, took the brunt of the impact and he ended up with a scraped chin and nose. He had tears welling but after a hug and some comforting he was right back on it.
i started on training wheels as well. i've been riding for many years now, year round, fg/ss/gears, ice, snow, sand, gravel, trails and roads and in between. i wish i had a head start on balance bike though - would have helped me a lot in early riding adventures and i am sure i'd had a better grip on balance much earlier in life.
cover all ban on training wheels is not realistic of course as there alway will be special cases like people with limited abilities, etc but i just wish more people knew about balance bikes and took their time to educate themselves before buying first bike for their kid
i dont know how far your son is in regards to his bike skills but i always lay out next steps for balance bike learning - balance and rolling first, steering second alone with braking ala flinstones and hand brake comes third (front alone with teaching proper braking techniques).