The original motivation for the creation of the Strider™ running bike was to provide a safe and easy transition
to a pedal bicycle. Obviously, ease of control had to be critical for our targeted rider group of 1-5 year olds.
The first requirement was a LOW seat height and center of gravity so our tiny riders felt safe; our seat height
starts as low as 11 inches, allowing even the shortest of legs to reach the ground. Control is also aided by the
low, straight handlebar design which allows the small rider to reach forward rather than up. That same handlebar
design helps the child lift the bike over obstacles because he or she can pull up on the bars with better leverage.
As the young rider becomes more accomplished, the foot rest provides a place for both feet as the child coasts down
hills. (Placing both feet on the optional brake lever also provides an opportunity at the bottom of the hill to create a great
skidmark, which our young test riders really love!) And finally, our low seat, low handlebars, and low center of
gravity all combine to build confidence in riders. They soon learn to sit and push hard with their feet to attain
speed and at the same time lengthen their stride. Hence, the name of our vehicle, the Strider™. At speed, a small
child's stride will go from approximately 2 feet when running on foot to 6 feet or more when running on a Strider™.
This means they're riding 3 times faster than they can run.
Tricycles tip over, scrape ankles, and have terrible pedal leverage ratios. Training-wheeled bicycles are tall, heavy,
tippy, complex, and downright scary for really young riders. Both have great potential for injury. Not true with the
Strider™. Due to the low center of gravity, low seat height, low handlebars, and light weight, the rider has much better
control. The absence of pedals, sprockets, chain, and cables further reduce the likelihood of injury. The Strider™ is
the 'right tool for the job'.
