Bike Riding Skills Practice Course

A bicycle (properly sized for your child) and helmet

6-8 cones or water bottles

Chalk for marking lines

A flat, paved area free from traffic

Find a safe, flat paved area — an empty parking lot, wide driveway, or cul-de-sac. No traffic.

Set up a weaving course: place 6-8 cones in a line with 6-8 feet between each. Your child will ride through, weaving left of one cone, right of the next.

Draw a start line with chalk and a stop line about 30 feet ahead. Practice riding from start to stop, braking smoothly at the stop line. Smooth stops — no skidding.

Set up a wide U-turn section. Draw a large semicircle and have your child ride along it. Turning while maintaining balance at slow speeds is a key bike skill.

Create a figure-eight by drawing two overlapping circles (about 10 feet diameter each). Ride the figure-eight continuously for 3 laps. This builds turning in both directions.

Combine all sections into one course: ride from start through the weave, around the U-turn, through the figure-eight, and stop at the finish line.

Time the full course and write it down. Challenge your child to beat their time each attempt.

Add advanced challenges: ride with one hand, signal turns, or stop and look over their shoulder (traffic check).

This course builds the real bike skills that keep kids safe on the road: braking, turning, weaving around obstacles, and controlling speed.

Start wide and easy. Cones far apart, big turns, gentle stops. Tighten the course as your child improves.

The figure-eight is the most valuable drill. Turning continuously in both directions builds balanced bike handling that no amount of straight riding develops.

Helmet every time, no exceptions. Even in a parking lot, even at slow speeds. Build the habit now.

If your child is just learning to ride, focus only on the start and stop section. Add weaving and turns once they're comfortable with straight riding and braking.