Freebie Friday: GlideBikes

(I know, I know, I should start calling it Freebie Saturday due to my chronic tardiness.  But you love me anyway, right?)

One of the biggest milestones in any child's life is learning how to ride a bike.  The Curly Haired One, at the prime two-wheeling age of five, just mastered the art a few weeks ago, thanks to countless trips up and down the street with Mr. Floren running behind her, holding her steady.  While this is a timeless tradition that almost every child and father experience, the product I'll be telling you about today has revolutionized and simplified the process.

GlideBikes are a whole new type of bike, designed to eliminate the need for training wheels. A balance bike is a smaller, lower bicycle (starting at 12” seat height) with no pedals that is constructed in a way that will allow children starting at two years old to learn two-wheel balance. Kids learn to balance safely without tears or training wheels and can start slowly by “walking” the bike without pedals getting in the way. Within a short period of time, they are confidently gliding along, balancing upright on two wheels. 

According to GlideBikes, pedals and training wheels hinder the learning process of riding a bike, because children can't focus on the first important step -- how to balance. Instead, they are trying to pedal, brake and balance, all at once. Training wheels prevent the bike from leaning, so kids never experience the feeling of balancing themselves, because the training wheels are doing it for them! The average time a child spends riding with training wheels is two to three years. With Glide Bikes, kids learn to balance first, with no pedals or training wheels to get in the way. Some children are riding a bike within a day, a week or month. 

My family was sent a Mini Glider to try out, and my girls had a blast!  It definitely helped improve their balance, and both my three and five year old had an easy time figuring it out.  GlideBikes come in three sizes: the Mini Glider for kiddos ages 2-5, the Go Glider for 5-10 year olds, and the Super Glider for those 10 and older.  If you have a little one who is raring to be off and riding a two wheeled bike like the big kids, you should definitely check out GlideBikes!

You can also try to win one!

The giveaway: A GlideBike (either the Mini Glider or Go Glider) of your very own (A $99.95-$129.95 value)!

Mandatory Entry:  Go over to GlideBikes, check out their selection, and tell me which color and model of GlideBike you want if you win!

Additional Entries:

-"Like" GlideBikes on Facebook

-Vote for In Through The Out Door on Top Mommy Blogs by simply clicking here  (you may do this once daily, just leave a comment each time!)

-Follow me on Twitter (@kishafloren) or tell me you already do 

-Become a subscriber of In Through The Out Door in a feeder or via Google Friend Connect over on the sidebar or tell me you already do

-"Like" In Through The Out Door on Facebook or tell me you already do

This giveaway is open to all residents of the US 18 and over and will be open until Saturday, August 14th at 9 PM PST.  A winner will be chosen by random number generator, notified by email, and posted shortly thereafter. Have fun and good luck!

**FTC Mandated Disclosure: I was provided with a GlideBike to facilitate my review.  All opinions contained within are 100% my own and unbiased in any way.