Looking for a fun family activity everyone can enjoy? Dirt biking is a wonderful sport that promotes togetherness, a sense of adventure and getting outdoors in the fresh air.

But did you know dirt biking is a great activity to teach young children independence and risk assessment? It also helps develop their gross and fine motor skills and encourages them to try something new.

Keep reading to learn more about when is the right time to learn to ride a dirt bike and how to do it safely.

When To Learn To Ride A Dirt Bike

The age your child begins learning to ride a dirt bike depends on their ability and interest level. With training wheels and the right size bike, it’s possible for them to start learning how to safely ride as early as the age of three.

Very young children can begin by practicing riding a balance bike once they are steady walkers. This typically happens when they’re around 15 to 18 months old. A balance bike is a very small, two-wheeled bicycle without pedals.

A balance bike is a great way to help your child develop their equilibrium and prepare to ride a bicycle or dirt bike.

Once they’ve gotten the hang of balancing on a bike, a 50 cc gas-powered dirt bike is the best model to get your child started dirt biking. You’ll definitely want to start with training wheels, just like on a bicycle.

It’s likely your child will fall when they first start learning to ride. In fact, they will probably spend most of their time falling and learning to pick themselves and the bike back up. This is a really valuable life skill, too!

Falling down and getting minor injuries is part of learning skills like risk assessment. It is important that you let your child test their own limits.

After they’ve gotten the hang of it, most children are able to ride without training wheels around age five to six. A few years after that, you might have trouble keeping up with them!

How To Learn To Ride A Dirt Bike

Everybody has their own style of learning. This is just as true when it comes to learning to ride a dirt bike. Here are a few different tips for learning how to ride a dirt bike.

Use the ones that make the most sense for your child and your family!

Take It One Step At A Time

When you start taking your child out to practice dirt bike riding, try to focus on one fundamental lesson at a time.

This can even mean practicing one skill each outing. That might not sound like fun, but it can lead to much better results, faster learning, and better overall enjoyment for your family.

Start by teaching them how the bike works. Show them how to turn it on, how to use the gear shifter and the kill switch. You can do this at home before taking the bike out on a trail.

The next time you practice, teach them about riding form.

When you do go out on the trail for the first time, help your child get comfortable on the bike. Teach them about the brake and the foot pedal. Then just have them practice driving in a straight line.

The more simple you keep your lessons and practice sessions, the more information your child will retain, and the faster they will learn.

Teach Turning In Open Spaces

Learning how to make 180-degree turns can be very difficult for young children to learn. First of all, it takes a lot of skill to turn a heavy dirt bike. Second, it can be a little scary.

Trying to turn on a trail is way too hard for beginners. A wide-open field is the best place for children to learn because they have plenty of space to practice.

Once they get the hang of making wide turns, you can help them learn how to make their turns tighter and tighter. Soon they’ll be able to practice on trails.

Make Safety A Priority

Be sure to stay current on dirt bike safety gear and trends for children. Riding a dirt bike is dangerous. There is no disputing that fact.

However, with the right safety gear and preparation, it can be a fun and safe recreational activity for your family.

You can get started in your research by taking a look at this study on the dangers of motocross for children.

Stay Positive

The best thing you can do when teaching your child something new is to be encouraging and have fun with it! Don’t let yourself get frustrated if they struggle or even if they want to call it quits for the day.

As the parent and teacher, you are the one who sets the tone. If you have fun and keep it breezy, it’s likely they’ll have a good experience, too.

Safety In Learning To Ride A Dirt Bike

Dirt bikes are fast and responsive machines. It is important that you take safety precautions when introducing your child to dirt biking.

Here are a few things to consider that will make your child’s dirt bike riding experience both safe and fun!

Choosing The Trail

Find a straight dirt trail for your child to practice riding. That way if they fall they won’t sustain any serious injuries. Sand might seem like your friend, but it actually makes it much harder to control the bike.

Wide-open space is preferable to a dense forest where your child will need to navigate obstacles. Hills also present a significant challenge. A flat, straight trail with plenty of room on either side will set your child up for success.

Safety Equipment

Always make sure your child wears a helmet. Pair the helmet with goggles to protect their eyes from dust and pebbles.

It is important that your child never wear open-toed shoes when riding a dirt bike. The best option is to have them wear boots that have a bit of a high-top to protect their ankles.

You’ll also want to outfit your child with knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves.

Underneath all of that padding, your child should always wear long pants and long sleeves to protect their skin from major cuts and scrapes. You can even take it to the next level by getting them a chest protector and wrist supports.

Try Not To Overreact

Like we said, your child is going to fall a lot at first. It’s okay. Children often base their reactions to accidents and injuries on the reactions of the adults around them.

Focus on the things you can control. Choose a safe practice trail, outfit your child with a bike that fits them and the proper safety equipment. Educate them on how to use their bike so they are confident in their ability.

If you’ve covered those bases, you don’t have so much to worry about.

How To Choose the Right Dirt Bike

Choosing the right dirt bike for your child can be a challenge. Often it comes down to price and what is available at the moment. Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to avoid choosing the wrong starter bike.

Size

The most important thing is that your child feels comfortable on their dirt bike. When they’re sitting on the bike, their feet should touch the ground. They should be able to get on and off the bike independently and with ease.

The danger of getting the wrong size bike for your child is that it could cause the child to get hurt. It could also be so difficult for your child to maneuver the bike that they lose interest in learning.

Engine

Child-friendly dirt bike models range from 50cc to 250cc. Children need smaller engines so they can learn how to control the throttle.

A three-year-old should definitely start out on a 50cc. If your child is over 100 pounds, they would be better suited to a larger engine.

Throttle

A throttle limiter is a great help to children just learning to ride a dirt bike. By limiting the throttle, your child will have an easier time learning how to control the speed of their bike.

Keep in mind that a 4-stroke engine provides more progressive power, while a 2-stroke engine has a more abrupt acceleration and throttle response.

However, there is less difference in engine types for 50cc to 70cc dirt bikes than for 250cc bikes. Therefore a 2-stroke children’s dirt bike isn’t necessarily something to write off.

More Tips For Learning To Ride A Dirt Bike

We hope this guide has helped you decide when it’s the right time for your child to learn to ride a dirt bike.

If you’re interested in additional methods or tips, resources about dirt bike safety, or want to purchase a dirt bike for your child, use this contact form and talk to a Westshore Marine & Leisure expert.