For Christmas Chanler got a pedal bike. The first words out of his mouth upon seeing it were "what...is...thaaat???" He was stunned! A few minuted later he wanted to ride it, so we went out to the street in front of the house to try it out.

Last year we got him a balance bike after I read about them and how they can help kids learn to ride a bike faster by teaching them to balance without having to think about pedaling at the same time. It sounded reasonable and was a good alternative, since we had a tricycle and Chanler seemed too little for a "real" bike.

So the test was here - would the year of practice on the balance bike do what it claimed? We assumed the best and went out on the new bike without training wheels.

It worked!!! within 5 minutes Chanler was riding down the street on his own (with daddy or mommy running close behind). It was amazing.

Today (his second riding day) Chanler is riding like a pro. He still needs help with starting and doesn't have the most graceful dismount, but he is riding his bike (just like the pro balance bike articles said he would.)