Learning to Cycle with FirstBIKE Balance Bike + {Giveaway}

If there's one thing I think I missed out on as a child, it's learning to ride a bike. So, I'm glad that Lil Pumpkin has the opportunity to do so on her FirstBIKE balance bike. I read that learning to cycle on balance bikes are better than using training wheels as they learn to ride a bike intuitively and develop their sense of balance. Training wheels tend to be counterproductive and not help with balancing or support the proper posture or spinal development. Learning on two wheels means that when Lil Pumpkin moves on to a pedal bicycle, she already knows how to balance.

At first Lil Pumpkin was curious, but a little apprehensive to use it as she kept wobbling. However, as she started to get more practice on it, you could see her confidence growing and her speed getting faster. By her fifth try she could actually stride fast then lift her feet off the ground momentarily to balance just on 2 wheels!

Her bike is the Street model which has air tires ideal for urban areas with concrete, stone or packed dirt surfaces. It's perfectly fine to use it over grass and gravel too and we've been bringing it whenever we head to the park or playground. Lil Pumpkin is a very active child and loves the outdoors, but she loves it even more now that she can cycle around to go further distances and explore new places {I brought her to the Japanese Cemetery Park last weekend ;p}. We love watching her cross her milestone in riding a bike too :)

It's hard to prevent falls and get hurt when learning to cycle, but we appreciate the many safety features of FirstBIKE that help to minimise it. Things like no sharp protrusions, a brake that ensures gentle and gradual braking {you can also adjust the tension}, safety grips on the handlebars to keep little hands from slipping off, reflective stickers for better visibility in low-light conditions {although I think pink is rather outstanding too haha}, and the steering limiter that helps young riders like Lil Pumpkin ride smoother.

The award-winning FirstBIKE balance bikes are suitable for kids aged 2-5 years old. However, there's also an optional lowering kit that allows kids to ride from an earlier age {starting from 22 months}. The horse-saddle seat itself has no preset levels and can be custom-adjusted to an exact height for the kids, without additional tools so it's really convenient especially when you're outside and need to fine-tune it. For the perfect height, your kid's feet should be able to be flat on the ground when sat comfortably, without the knees overly bent.

It is super lightweight {3.9 kg!} and even Lil Pumpkin can pick it up easily :P

Its lightness makes it easy for Lil Pumpkin to maneuver and hop on/ off steps. We think that's a safety feature too as in case she falls, she won't get hurt by the weight of the bike on her *touch wood*

Although it's light, it's ultra-tough too. Designed in Germany, the composite frame {made of 30% glass fibre reinforced nylon composite} doesn't scratch, splinter, swell or rust like wood or metal and is totally weatherproof. Its flexibility also allows for shock-absorption and protection of our kids' spines, especially when they go over bumps!

FirstBIKE has a range of matching accssories for its balance bikes and Lil Pumpkin's bike has the pink basket to match her pink bike, which is just the right size to fit her BFF Monkey and her waterbottle :) The plastic material makes it easy to wash out any dirt and crumbs from snacks.

Also a cute little mouse bell that's pretty loud and clear!! :)

If you want to test-drive the balance bikes, FirstBIKE Singapore will be showcasing their full range of balance bikes and accessories at the STClassifieds Bike Event {17 Nov 2013} and The British Club Christmas Fair {26 & 27 Nov 2013}. Check out the special offers at the events, especially if you're their Facebook page fan as you'll get 15% discount.

Other than the Street model, there are Cross models with air tires ideal for off-road conditions with mainly grass, gravel or loose dirt surfaces, Racing models with world-renowned Schwalbe Big Apple tires for maximum traction on any surface, and Limited models with limited edition colours & Schwalbe Big Apple tires for maximum traction on any surface. Prices start from S$205 and although there may be cheaper alternatives around, I think it's a sound investment for their rich safety features, high quality and limited lifetime guarantee. This also means that it has a higher resale value if you want to sell them after the kids have grown, or if you have several kids using it, even better value-for-money as it will definitely last long.

Just for my special blog readers and friends only, I have ONE FirstBIKE Balance Bike Set {worth S$240} to give away! The set consists of a FirstBIKE balance bike {S$205}, bike basket {S$20} and bike bell {S$15}.

You can choose either the Boys Set {Cross bike in silver, black basket & football bell} or Girls Set {Street bike in pink, pink basket & pink mouse bell}:

Facebook Giveaway Method: Random Draw

This giveaway is happening on my Facebook page now until Monday 18 November 2013 {2359hrs}. Hop on over to complete the following steps and stand a chance to win this amazing prize for your kid, just in time for Christmas!

P.S. We'll be getting her a bike helmet for added protection. Which one do you recommend? 

UPDATE: The giveaway has ended. The winner is Jolin Moonzdestiny. Stay tuned for more blog giveaways on Sakura Haruka! Check out my current readers promos too. Thanks for your support!

* Disclosure: FirstBIKE provided the Street balance bike & accessories for review and giveaway. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.

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