Learning to ride a bike has long been a childhood milestone—often marked by scraped knees, shaky rides, and the slow clatter of training wheels. But educators, child development experts, and physical education professionals are now embracing a more developmentally sound approach: balance bikes.
Unlike traditional bikes with training wheels, balance bikes are pedal-free, allowing young children to focus first on what really matters—balance and coordination. This method aligns with current developmental research, which suggests that learning to balance before pedaling significantly reduces fear, builds confidence, and often leads to earlier independent riding.
According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Science and Cycling, children who learned to ride using balance bikes developed superior balance control and motor planning compared to those who used training wheels. These skills not only contribute to cycling proficiency but also to broader physical literacy—a foundation for lifelong health and activity.
Balance Bikes at Wildwood: Where Pedals Take a Backseat
At Wildwood Elementary School in Amherst, PE teacher and professional cyclist Keith Burgoyne—affectionately known as Mr. B—is taking this progressive approach one step further. Through his Thursday balance bike sessions, Mr. B is introducing all kindergarten students to the joy and freedom of riding a bike, starting not with pedals, but with balance.
“Twenty-two years ago, a fifth grader told me he had never learned to ride a bike,” Mr. B recalls. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to give every student the chance to experience that freedom. It took some time, but this is the start.”
Each Thursday, kindergarteners at Wildwood get an extra PE session dedicated to riding balance bikes. During these sessions, students practice adjusting and wearing helmets properly, navigating obstacle courses, and developing the spatial awareness needed to ride safely and confidently. The results have been inspiring.
“The improvement in skills, stamina, and confidence I observed is remarkable,” Mr. B says. “They’re building muscle strength, coordination, endurance, and best of all—they’re having FUN. I hope this experience promotes a lifelong joy for physical activity.”
Movement That Builds More Than Muscles
The benefits extend far beyond physical fitness. Research in developmental psychology emphasizes that activities like biking support self-regulation, focus, and executive functioning. The peer-supported environment of these group sessions adds an important social-emotional component as well, encouraging encouragement, cooperation, and risk-taking in a safe space.
“Teaching a child to ride isn’t just about biking—it’s about confidence, independence, and joy,” said Superintendent Dr. E. Xiomara Herman. “What Mr. B is doing at Wildwood reflects our commitment to whole-child development. This kind of learning stays with them for life.”
Pedaling Toward the Future
With a combination of thoughtful instruction, movement-based learning, and a deep love for cycling, Mr. B’s program at Wildwood is already becoming a hallmark of early childhood education in the district. And while the wheels may not be spinning just yet, the balance—and the joy—is very much in motion.