A child learning to ride a bicycle makes good childhood memories. Parents are usually the ones to teach their children, and there are several approaches to this. Here is a step-by-step guide that would help a child learn how to ride a bike.

Select a perfect bike - Choose a bicycle for the child wherein the seat can be lowered enough so that he or she can be seated and have both feet flat on the ground. Make sure that the bike does not have training wheels (so the child would not be too dependent on them).

Select a grassy field - Expect a lot of fall when training a child to ride a bike for the first time. Ideally, the grass should be short enough that it does not create too much drag on the wheel, but can also provide a soft landing in case of a fall. The area should also provide a gentle slope.

Safety first - Provide all the protective gears and precautions needed when riding a bike. Have your child wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, as well as tucking in shoelaces into the shoes and pants into the socks.

Train balance first - Go on the higher part of the field and hold the bike while the child gets on. Have him or her put both feet on the ground, then let go. Tell your child to lift his or her feet about a few inches off the ground and let the bike coast down the hill. Follow the bike, but resist the temptation of holding it steady. Tell your child to put the feet on the ground if they get scared. Do not forget to praise your child and encourage him or her further. Repeat the process until your child feels comfortable coasting and does not put his or her feet on the ground to stop.

Add pedaling - From the higher part of the hill, have your child put his or her feet on the pedals and coast downhill without pedaling. After several runs, encourage your child to pedal as he or she is rolling. Repeat the process until the child feels comfortable. Then, train your child to pedal up the hill, then repeat the process until the child gets used to it.

Increase seat height - Once the child can pedal smoothly, try raising the bicycle seat for a few inches and have him or her coast again.

Ride along a straight line - Train the child to ride the bike on a flat field or an empty parking lot. From a standstill and one pedal pointing to the handlebar, encourage your child to give a solid pedal stroke and keep the bike steady until the other foot finds the pedal. Your child should not do this in a hurry to avoid getting wobbly.

Add turning - Teach your child to slow down before turning. He or she needs to lean a little and steer a little. Keep the inside pedal up and look towards the turn.