Truth: screens had their hooks in us.
My kid would come home from school and automatically grab her iPad. I didn’t do anything to deter her because I needed the time to prep dinner. This was my greatest source of mom guilt.
Recently I found something that has eased us out of that routine. It’s a bike! It sounds almost too obvious, but the thing is, our new Guardian Bike is not like the others. It’s the safer alternative to the norm, it’s engineered to boost confidence, and it’s our means to embracing off-screen hobbies.
For 2024, I’m committed to getting us all outside more. Here’s how Guardian Bikes helped us get an early start on the transition:
Fitting and customization built excitement
Have you ever measured your kid? Strangely enough my daughter found being wrapped in a measuring tape to be the most exciting pastime of her week. Ha!
If you aren’t sure where to start with sizing, Guardian has a RideSizer® tool that lets you get started with either an age, height, or leg measurement. From there it’ll guide you through taking all the measurements you need—complete with diagrams—to help you feel confident that you’re inputting the right answer. Ridesizer® can even tell you how long that bike will last your child!
Then we had decisions to make about bike colors, helmet color, a bell, a seat clamp, handlebar grips, a water bottle—you can go as big or minimal as you like. We let my daughter have full reign over her customization, and she was really pumped about her choices.
The setup was quick, and off she went
Less than a week later, the Guardian bike was on our doorstep*. It took my husband about 10 minutes to put it together and then my daughter was thrilled to head down the road in our quiet neighborhood with no pedals using the balance bike method, which Guardian Bikes recommends. She had fun finding her balance with her feet down, and we loved witnessing her sort it out. Development no iPad could replicate!
Once she had her balance figured out, we installed the pedals, and since she had already spent a ton of time in the seat of her bike, adding the element of coordination was manageable. Guys, with this technique, my kid seriously learned how to ride a bike on her own in less than a week. How!?
*Side note: the box it comes in got turned into a pizza shop for a little imaginative play after riding.
The safety considerations make us all feel better
My daughter is adventurous and determined, but not the budding stuntman her brother is. She wants to feel solid, safe, and confident in the active endeavors she takes. So I’m not the only one who loves the safety considerations of her Guardian bike.
We both appreciate that the patented SureStop Brake System makes for quicker stopping times. We love how lightweight the bike is, so she has better control and balance. The bike geometry is made for child proportions so that she has appropriate leverage to pedal. All this clearly had to do with how quickly she got the hang of things.
Plus, as she gets ever more comfortable on her ride, her Small size is prepared to grow with her with a quick-release adjustable seat. Any parent can relate to wanting the investments they make in their kids’ stuff to have longevity.
Guardian Bikes make for good, clean fun
Seriously, how wholesome is our story? I had seen plenty of ads for Guardian Bikes and really didn’t think the ease of learning to ride a bike they conveyed could be realistic. Nor did I expect it to pull my daughter away from her favorite shows. But it worked for us!
These childrens bikes start at $149—but Guardian is currently running a sale on frames and extras that make it all the more accessible. Plus, they offer a one-year guarantee against defects on the frame and components. Guardian Bikes will cover the cost of parts, shipping, and repair work if necessary. If for some reason the size doesn’t work for your child, or they simply don’t jive with their new bike, Guardian Bikes will refund your money and ask that you donate the bike to charity.
Here’s to your family’s safe, active, happy new year.
