Apr 6th 2026
More than a Toy: Why Every Toddler Should Have a Balance Bike
Strider bikes aren’t the only balance bikes on the market, but nearly 20 years in the industry have helped us to perfect balance bikes in ways you may not even realize.
1) Balance First
Strider bikes are the original kids' balance bike! Our bikes were born from the realization that the best way to teach kids to ride is by teaching them to balance. Other options like training wheels, tricycles and scoot toys ALL prevent the development of proper technique to ride a real bicycle. By prioritizing balance, Strider bikes build confidence and motor skills that transfer to all areas of childhood development. Toddlers build muscles and motor skills that transfer to sports and outdoor activities, and build emotional endurance as they learn that falling down and trying again leads to success. They‘ll conquer new skills, building confidence in their ability to overcome physical and mental obstacles and make friends with similar interests.
The tricky part of riding a bike isn’t pedaling – it’s balancing. Training wheels allow pedaling right from the start but completely prevent kids from learning how to properly balance on their bikes. Training wheels keep the bike upright with two extra points of contact on the ground, but a toddler’s two feet perform the same function. Their instinct to put their feet down to stop or regain balance is able to play out, and they’ll be able to re-balance themselves. Training wheels also prevent the bike from leaning naturally during turns, creating poor steering technique instead of teaching kids to counter-steer and lean into their turns. When the training wheels come off, wobbles and panic often set in, making the learn-to-ride process a frantic, scary experience for kids. So, instead of taking part of a bike away, we add a part (pedals) once balance and control are already established.
The Strider method helps toddlers focus on developing balance, motor skills, and proper technique to control their bicycle. Toddlers start pushing themselves along by alternating their stride and figure out how to maintain balance as they lift their feet and glide. While striding and gliding, they establish balance and confidence, and the pedals are a simple addition when they’re ready. They transition from alternating their feet on the ground to alternating their feet on pedals, which is an easy change that doesn’t involve fear, frustration, or meltdowns.
2) Built for Kids
Our balance bikes have been designed for toddlers from the beginning. Back in 2007, our Founder and CEO Ryan McFarland knew he wanted to share his passion for bikes with his son, but became frustrated by the options like big pedal bikes with training wheels and tricycles that weighed more than his two-year-old. He stripped a bike down and modified it so that his toddler Bode could put both feet on the ground while sitting on the seat. Since then, Strider bikes have evolved to optimize the geometry of each part for the unique dimensions of toddlers.
Strider balance bike frames provide an ideal weight distribution between the front and rear wheels. Our longer wheel base offers a more stable and forgiving platform when they're small and still starting out but becomes zippy and made for speed when they get bigger and faster. The steering angle has been fine-tuned to ensure slow handling while kids are small and just starting to ride, and a faster response when they start taking on more advanced terrain and testing their control. The seat tube angle is parallel to the steering angle to make sure that your child’s reach is always consistent as the seat height and handlebar height are adjusted to their growth. You’ll see them growing, and you’ll change the seat and handlebar height, but they won’t feel a difference on their bike.
Our bikes also feature standing footrests, which provide a place for kids to rest their feet while gliding, but more importantly encourage them to stand up and control the bike in a similar way to a pedal bike. The standing footrests are placed directly below the riders’ hips, similar to the placement of pedals on an adult bike or the placement of foot pegs on a dirt bike. This encourages little riders to stand and develop recognition of their center of gravity on the bike, eventually supporting advanced riding like pumping the bike up and down small hills and preparing them for bigger skills like BMX riding, jumps, and more.
3) High Quality Construction
Weighing 4.9 pounds, the Strider 12 Comp is feather-light. The frame is durable and perfectly designed for a toddler's first ride. Weighing just 6.7 pounds, our Strider 12 Sport has a durable steel frame that’s still light enough for a toddler to easily maneuver. We also wanted to make sure that a toddler can pick it up from the ground, promoting independence and confidence. At 5.6 pounds, the Strider 12 Pro has an aluminum frame, making it even lighter and easier for a toddler to maneuver. They’re all made of high-quality, durable materials that withstand long days of rough toddler play.
The lightweight, durable materials make them perfect for toddler use, and convenient for parents too. Weighing just a few pounds, it’s easy to toss your child’s Strider in the trunk or to carry it home from the playground if your toddler is too tuckered out after their big day. Despite their light weight, our bikes are so durable that you’ll only need one bike for the first five years of their life. Instead of buying a rocking horse, scoot toy, tricycle, and then bike with training wheels, you can purchase one 2-in-1 Rocking Bike that will be used for all of these purposes, from early mobility to learning to ride. And, many of our bikes are passed down to younger siblings, making them a lasting investment for parents.
4) Endless Customization
Strider bikes come in so many fun colors that it can be hard to pick just one. Our 12” and 14x frames all come in a wide range of colors, and we make wheels, grips, and other accessories that let you customize a totally unique look.
With three wheel/tire options for our 12” balance bikes, you can upgrade your toddler’s wheels as they get faster and tackle tougher terrain. Our 12” bikes come with Ultralight Wheels, which feature foam tires that never need air. These tires are lightweight and maintenance free, so the bike is ready to go when they decide to ride. If these wheels are so well loved and used that they need to be replaced, it’s a low-cost, easy fix and you can pick out a new, fun color! After your kiddo builds strength and is ready to tackle trickier obstacles (usually around 3 years old), you can upgrade to our High Traction Wheels, which feature pneumatic tires with more grip and shock absorption.
If you’re going for a totally personalized and unique look, you can use our Bike Builder to build a completely custom 12 Sport or 12 Pro. You’ll be able to pick your frame color, wheel type and color, handlebar type, and grip color. With your help, your toddler can choose each part of their bike to match their unique personality — and if their favorite color changes, it only takes a few seconds swap out their grips.
5) A Connected Community
When you take home a Strider, you and your kiddo join the Strider family. We hold races, events, and encourage you through your child’s learn-to-ride experience. If you run into challenges with your bike or with teaching your toddler to use it, our YouTube Channel is full of videos to help with things like bike assembly and mitigating common mistakes. Plus, our Customer Service Team works in-person at our headquarters, meaning that when you call us for help, you will speak to a real person who is invested in helping you through any questions or concerns you may have.
We hold our Strider Cup World Championship in a different location each year, inviting Strider riders and their parents to join us from across the globe to celebrate youth cycling. We race balance bikes, make encouraging posters, and share more high-fives that you can count!
Strider Bikes and our representatives in other countries hold numerous events in other communities across the country and world, bringing parents and kids together to enjoy a fun, family-focused day. Whether it’s cheering you on at a race or helping you build your dream Strider through our Bike Builder, we are proud to celebrate every moment with you.