I understand that some adult-sized balance bikes are available to Bike Austin instructors.

I read on Wikipedia that Sheldon Brown advised that the cheapest solution is just to remove the pedals from an existing bike, rather than buying an entirely separate training bike (which becomes useless as soon as someone's learned how to ride).

I have seen both pro and con on balance bikes, but it seems that balance bikes are the way to go. They allow kids to get the hang of the balance without worrying about the pedal motion.  Both my grandkids learned quickly on balance bikes.

I think they are a great way to go too.  My grandnephew learned quickly and well on one and I've seen lots of kids ride them around.  In contrast, a friend's father bought his grandson a coaster brake bike with training wheels when the kid was 2-1/2, an age I've seen kids learn balance biking quickly.  Not only was it functionally a tricycle for steering, but he could back pedal to use the coaster brakes only when he was thinking about it--and every time the bike got going fast, he quit thinking about how the brakes worked and couldn't stop himself.  It was the darnedest thing to watch.  After that, I had thought 2-1/2 too young for learning to ride, but after seeing kids on balance bikes, that's a good time to start them off.

MichaelBluejay wrote:

Who knew this already?

It's why training wheels teach kids the opposite of the right way to steer a bike.  Without training wheels, one learns to do it without thinking about it.
 
Understanding the principle can, with some practice, save your life.

  http://www.bamacyclist.com/articles/QuickTurn.htm 

http://www.seattlebicycleclub.org/membe … dodge.html

I have seen both pro and con on balance bikes, but it seems that balance bikes are the way to go. They allow kids to get the hang of the balance without worrying about the pedal motion.  Both my grandkids learned quickly on balance bikes.
Ages ago I taught my younger sister to ride a bike by sitting on the back rack while she rode. I dropped the center of gravity a bit that way and also provided 'outriggers' to help her feel more confidant.  She was riding solo in a day.

Who knew this already?

It's why training wheels teach kids the opposite of the right way to steer a bike.  Without training wheels, one learns to do it without thinking about it.
 
Understanding the principle can, with some practice, save your life.

  http://www.bamacyclist.com/articles/QuickTurn.htm 

http://www.seattlebicycleclub.org/membe … dodge.html

.

I didn't know this.  It blew my mind.

Who knew this already?