I’m always surprised when cautious parents make a comment about doubting their child could ride a Strider and say they better just stick with a tricycle… as if the Strider is for advanced kids. Maybe I’ve been so immersed in this for so long that it comes as a surprise. From all of our research and experience, we see it from a completely different viewpoint. We see tricycles as being much more difficult for young children to operate… the weight of the tricycle is just the beginning, climbing on and off is much more difficult, and trying to actually operate the pedals with little legs that are only 12″ long is nearly impossible. If you watch most children on tricycles, they are putting their feet down on the ground (if they can reach!) and trying to push it like a Strider. The other startling misconception is that a tricycle is a safe and stable vehicle for children to be on. The three-wheeled design has to be about the most UNstable design possible… it’s high center of gravity leads to a violent tip as soon as the front wheel is turned. This design is so dangerous that motorized three-wheeled ATVs were actually outlawed in the U.S. because of the number of injuries and fatalities. This same tendency to tip is inherent in the tricycle as well. Watch our latest video with a comparison of children on tricycles vs. children on Striders and you’ll see first hand the difference in the experience. These tricycle clips are all pulled from youtube and are only a fraction of the video content out there… do the research, then save your child the trauma of a trike and advance their skills on a Strider…
And, by the way, a pedal bike with training wheels is basically the same as a tricycle (with an even higher, more unstable center of gravity). We estimate a solid 2 year advancement on balance and bike handling skill when going the route of the balance bike as opposed to the tricycle/training wheels route.
Strider PREbikes had a great opportunity to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. The recent Anaheim 3 Monster Energy Supercross race in California was awash in PINK as industry folks helped to generate money for this worthy cause.
anaheim supercross pit party
The fundraising effort was spearheaded by Shasta Johnson (the wife of a high school buddy of mine). She has experienced this terrible disease like few others… she lost her 29 years old sister to it and was also diagnosed herself. She battled and won… a cancer survivor! She now devotes significant effort to education and fund-raising. Visit her website at www.teamshasta.org. Here are photos from the Pit Party outside the arena… notice the Pink Strider PREbikes hanging from the tents. Visit Ebay and bid to win one of these special bikes autographed by Supercross Champion, Chad Reed … all funds go toward the cause. For more photos, videos, and information about this Supercross event, visit www.supercrossonline.com.
Check out these little kids, some only 20 months old, riding all sorts of fun, challenging terrain and having a ball! Their minds are engaged. Their whole bodies are involved. They’re getting great exercise and building muscle strength and gross motor skills… There are no lethargic, obese kids in Striderville!
It’s that time again… this Saturday night is another Black Hills Arena Racing motocross event at the Central State Fairground indoor event center and Strider riders are again invited to be pre-race entertainment. Doors open at 5:45pm and Strider riders can tear up the track until the first race starts at 6:30. There will be a free pass at the door for any parent/guardian bringing a Strider rider… riders get in free.
 PS… stay and cheer for Bode McFarland (the original Strider rider), now racing in the PeeWee 4-6 class. He’s riding the #85 KTM… and currently the points leader!
StriderSports.com only offers shipping to addresses within the United States.
But rest assured, Striderâ„¢ running bikes are available for purchase for international customers. Here’s a list of the countries that have local distribution already established, along with the link to each company’s website:
“My 20 month old, who I had previously thought was too young to use the balance bike, fell in love with the bike at first sight. It looked just like a big boy bike and for a little boy who was desperate to be big like his brothers and wanted nothing to do with a tricycle, it was heaven. I was shocked that my 20 month old was able to begin using the bike immediately.”
“While the first few times were a bit trying, I have to admit, there were no falls. Just as the site says, once he felt uneasy, he planted his feet on the ground to avoid falling. While it has been about a week, we are making slow and steady progress, and he is becoming less afraid and actually picking his feet up while the bike is in motion.”
STRIDER PREbikes were featured in the January 1, 2010 issue of Bicycle Retailer andIndustry News in the Product Review section. Hopefully this exposure will help bicycle shop owners around the nation realize that kids can connect with riding at a much younger age than ever before thanks to this revolutionary product. The sooner we get kids riding and loving increased mobility, adventure, and exercise, the healthier our nation will become. Thanks for spreading the word BR&IN.
Strider PREbike in Bicycle Retailer & Industry News magazine
Strider Sports recently had the privilege of joining a 3 year old boy named Elias during his 30 minute physical/occupational therapy session. Strider PREbikes are often used in physical therapy for Toddlers as a fun way to develop their balance and coordination. Elias loves the Strider PREbike, as well as watching himself on the video camera
Strider attended the 2009 National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Annual Conference & Expo November 18-21 Washington, D.C.
NAEYC presents the world’s largest conference on early childhood education. And just like the NAEYC, Strider is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children.
Matt Gunnell, the Executive Director of the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League (www.socaldirt.org) sent me this great picture of his 20 month old niece, Marin, who got a STRIDER(TM) PREbike for Christmas. I love this picture… her princess outfit, her pacifier in her month, and her abandoned tricycle in the background!
Marin on Strider Prebike
Matt wrote, “She was jamming up and down the block and across the lawn within about 10 minutes.”
StriderSports.com only offers shipping to addresses within the United States.
Strider attended the 2009 National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Annual Conference & Expo November 18-21 Washington, D.C.
