Learning to ride a bike is a huge milestone, but mastering stopping power using kids' bike brakes is what keeps young riders safe and confident on two wheels.
Teaching your child how to use bicycle brakes properly prevents knocks and bumps, builds control, and makes every family ride much more enjoyable. Whether your child is transitioning from a balance bike or moving onto their first pedal bike, finding the best kids' bike for learning to ride makes all the difference.
Before You Start
- Practise in a quiet, flat, traffic-free area
- Make sure the bike is the correct size and properly adjusted
- Check that both brakes work correctly before riding
- Your child should wear a properly fitted cycle helmet
- Stay with your child while they're learning
Here are seven simple steps to teach your child how to use bike brakes safely and effectively:
1. Ensure proper bike fit and lever reach
Before teaching technique, check that the bike fits your child properly. Your child’s hands must easily reach and wrap around the brake levers without straining or letting go of the handlebars.
Kids' bikes across the Reid kids range feature child-proportioned handlebars and adjustable-reach brake levers. Adjusting the lever closer to the grip allows small hands to pull with maximum leverage and minimal effort.
2. Explain how brakes work (Coaster vs. Hand Brakes)
Kids learn best when they understand what happens when they brake. Here we take a look at coaster brakes vs hand brakes for kids:
- Coaster brakes: Common on some starter bikes, these engage when a child pedals backward.
- Hand brakes: Standard on many kids' bikes and hybrids, these use handlebar levers connected to cables that squeeze the wheel rims or disc rotors.
If your child is transitioning from coaster brakes to hand brakes, explain that pulling the hand levers replaces pedalling backward to stop.
3. Master the "Squeeze, don't grab" technique
When teaching kids hand brakes, the most common mistake young riders make is pulling the brakes as hard as they can, which causes sudden, jerky stops.
Teach your child to feather the brakes by using a gentle "Squeeze, don't grab" motion. Have them practice squeezing the brake lever slowly off the bike while walking alongside it so they can see and feel how gradual pressure slows the wheel down.
4. Start with the rear brake first
When teaching a child to stop on a bike and introducing hand brakes, focus on the rear brake lever first, this is a great kids' bike braking technique!
The rear brake provides smooth, controlled deceleration without the risk of an abrupt front-wheel lockup. Have your child ride slowly on a flat, grassy area or smooth pavement while practising stopping using only the rear brake.
5. Introduce the front brake gradually
Once your child is comfortable using the rear brake, introduce the front brake.
Explain that while the front brake provides the majority of stopping power, using it too aggressively on its own can cause the rear wheel to lift or skid. Teach them to use both brakes together, applying smooth pressure to both levers, engaging the rear brake slightly first, for a balanced, controlled stop.
6. Practice fun stopping games and drills
Turning practice into a game keeps kids engaged and builds muscle memory faster. Here are some kids bike braking drills to try:
- Red light, Green light: Have your child coast down a flat area and pull the brakes smoothly when you call "Red Light!"
- Target stopping: Mark a line on the driveway with chalk and challenge them to bring the bike to a smooth stop right on the mark without skidding or putting their feet down early.
7. Teach proper body positioning when braking
Stopping quickly shifts momentum forward. Teach your child to slide their body weight slightly back over the saddle and keep their heels down when braking hard.
Combined with an upright riding position on models like the Reid 16” Classic Kids or Reid Viper 16” shifting weight backward keeps the bike stable and prevents the rear wheel from sliding out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should a child start using hand brakes?
The right time to introduce hand brakes depends on your child's size, strength, coordination, and the bike they're riding. Many children begin learning to use hand brakes as they move onto larger kids' bikes, but there is no single age that's right for every child. The best kids' bikes with easy-reach brakes, like the Reid H20 and Reid Viper 20", are designed specifically with child-sized levers to help young riders transition smoothly to hand braking.
Should my child's bike have coaster brakes or hand brakes?
Coaster brakes can be a simple option for younger or beginner riders, while hand brakes help children develop the braking skills they'll use as they move onto larger bikes.
How do I adjust kids' brake levers for smaller hands?
Most quality kids' bikes feature a small reach-adjust screw near the lever pivot. Turning this screw moves the brake lever closer to the handlebar grip so smaller fingers can reach it comfortably with two fingers while maintaining a firm grip on the handlebars.
Ready to find the perfect kids' bike?
Explore the full range of Reid Kids Bikes, featuring lightweight frames, child-specific geometry, and easy-to-use braking systems built for every stage of learning.
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