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How to Teach Your Child to Use Gears on Their Bike

DATE: 20/01/2025
Kid riding a gear bike

Introducing gears to your child’s ride is an exciting step in their cycling journey, allowing them to take on a more active role in their ride and experience greater challenges. Having that extra control over their bikes frees them up to more possibilities and creates a feeling of independence. It’s for this reason that we believe in giving your child the best chance of success and taking the time to teach them how to use gears properly.

In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of how gears work and the best practices for teaching your child this exciting new skill.


Gearing Toward a New Experience

Close up of gear shifters

For those of us who have been riding for a long time, bike gears can feel like an intuitive and self-explanatory part of riding a bike. We can forget that all the numbers and gear options can be a bit daunting at first. So, what do gears actually do? In simple terms, they allow you to adjust the resistance of the bike’s pedals, making it easier to ride uphill and faster on flat surfaces.

  • Low gears (smaller numbers) make pedalling easier, which is great for going uphill or when you're taking off from a complete stop.
  • High gears (larger numbers) make pedalling harder but faster, which helps you to generate more speed on flat ground or downhill.

By teaching your child the fundamentals of gears early on, they will become more capable at maintaining a smooth and efficient ride. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to introduce your child to the mechanics of how bikes work.

As they become more experienced riders, this will give them greater control over their bike and prepare them for more challenging (and exciting) cycling experiences, such as mountain trails.


Switch Things UP

Now that your child understands the importance of gears, it’s time to teach them how to switch them. Gear shifts on a bike are typically controlled by the twist or thumb shifters located on the handlebars. Usually there are separate gear shifters for the front and back wheel. Here’s how you can guide your child through the process:

  1. Start on Flat Ground: Begin by having your child practice shifting gears while riding on a flat surface. This makes it easier to focus on the action itself before they take on different terrains.
  2. Shifting Up and Down: Explain to your child that when they shift to a higher gear (a larger number), it will make the bike harder to pedal but faster on flat ground. Conversely, shifting to a lower gear (a smaller number) will make pedalling easier, which is especially helpful when going uphill.
  3. Smooth Pedalling: Teach your child to maintain a smooth and steady pedal stroke while shifting gears. Encourage them to apply light pressure on the pedals as they shift, avoiding sudden, hard pedalling that can cause the chain to slip.
  4. Timing: Emphasise that they should shift gears while pedalling, but not while stationary, to avoid damaging the gears or chain. When riding uphill, it’s best to shift to an easier gear before the climb, not in the middle of it.
  5. Practice Shifting: Have your child practice switching between gears frequently during their ride, to help them get comfortable with the action. You can start with just a few gears at first and gradually introduce more as they improve.

Practice At Home

Kid practicing riding in driveway

Before taking the gear-shifting lesson to more challenging environments, it’s important to practice in a safe, controlled space with a bike that’s comfortable for them. Start by setting up a small practice area in your driveway or a quiet, flat area at home.

Get them to ride at a comfortable speed while practicing shifting gears. Ensure they understand how to shift without looking at the gears, using the feel of the bike to know when to shift.

Practicing often in short intervals will help reinforce muscle memory. Have your child ride back and forth, shifting gears smoothly with each ride.

Consider playing kids’ bike games where they have to shift gears for specific tasks. For example, ask them to “shift to an easier gear” when riding over a small incline, or “shift to a higher gear” when speeding on flat ground. This makes learning gears fun and practical.


Take It to the Streets

  • Introduce Slight Inclines: When your child is ready, find a gentle incline where they can practice shifting into lower gears to make pedalling easier. Encourage them to shift before they reach the incline to avoid straining the chain.
  • Practice Stopping and Starting: Teach your child how to shift gears when stopping and starting. It’s helpful to shift into a lower gear when stopping, so they don’t struggle to start again in a high gear.
  • Gradually Increase Difficulty: As your child gains confidence, increase the difficulty of their practice rides by introducing small hills or uneven surfaces. This will help them develop the skills to handle more advanced riding challenges, like mountain biking.

Conclusion

family biking on a trail

Teaching your child how to use gears on their bike is a valuable skill that enhances their cycling experience. With patience and practice, shifting will become second nature to them, gaining more control over their ride.

If you’re looking for the perfect kids’ bike to start their gear-shifting adventure, explore the selection at Lifespan Kids.

For more tips and to find the ideal bike for your child, visit find your nearest store.