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It’s not a tricycle, not a toy car, not a pedal bike, not a scooter… so what is it?
It’s Unique, It’s Beautiful, It’s Fun
Most of all, it’s highly beneficial for developing your child’s motor skills and sense of balance
It’s a LIKEaBIKE
The LIKEaBIKE Experience:
The LIKEaBIKE is a unique ride-on-toy for children between the ages of two and five.
Riding a LIKEaBIKE is incredible fun for kids! At the same time, it's highly beneficial for their motor skill development and sense of balance. Mastering how to ride a LIKEaBIKE will give your child a huge boost in confidence and self-esteem. As early as two years old, children can fulfill their urge to be active with this walk & run bike which provides their first experience riding on two wheels.
A LIKEaBIKE has no pedals. When first trying to ride, kids play with their LIKEaBIKE as they would with a hobbyhorse. They become familiar with the saddle first, carefully sitting on it. Soon they start to walk with it, then run. In no time the little rider becomes more confident and by pushing off, picks up speed. If the bike starts to tip, kids instinctively regain their balance with their feet. This encourages a sense of achievement and helps them use the bike with confidence. Most kids become experts within a few days. The most important thing gained from these first attempts will be your child's feeling of independence. Later, when it comes time to move on to a larger, pedal-powered bike, your child will adapt without hesitation. Their already developed sense of balance makes training wheels unnecessary. The LIKEaBIKE is also suitable for children that need to be encouraged in their motor development.
Children and parents alike adore LIKEaBIKE's simple, beautiful design. It's made of birch wood, stainless steel, rubber and felt. No plastic parts! The LIKEaBIKE has been nominated for several design prizes and has won the Spiel Gut Prize, a German award for excellence in toy creation. Like other wooden toys, the LIKEaBIKE is very sturdy. Built to last, it can easily be passed down to a younger sibling and kept in the family for future generations or just as a keepsake heirloom. The fond memories of a child's LIKEaBIKE will last for years as well.
The LIKEaBIKE was designed with a keen eye to your child's safety, so you won't find any sharp edges on it. The gap between the frame and the fork is filled with felt, so your child's fingers can't get pinched there. The felt also prevents the front wheel from making sharp turns, a common cause for mishaps with young riders of regular bikes.
The LIKEaBIKE can be used indoors and out. With its inflated tires, it is highly versatile. It's the perfect companion for trips off the beaten track, making rough and bumpy paths comfortable for the rider. A kind of all-terrain bike for tikes with lots of go! A rear-wheel mudguard holds off the dirt. On city sidewalks, the LIKEaBIKE is a real head-turner. And because kids find riding LIKEaBIKE so much fun, running errands with your child or making it in time for preschool suddenly becomes a real possibility.
The History of the Walking Bike.
In 1817 Baron von Drais invented a walking machine that would help him get around the royal gardens faster: two same-size in-line wheels, the front one steer-able, mounted in a frame which you straddled. The device was propelled by pushing your feet against the ground, thus rolling yourself and the device forward in a sort of gliding walk. The machine became known as the Draisienne or hobby horse. It was made entirely of wood. This enjoyed a short lived popularity as a fad, not being practical for transportation in any other place than a well maintained pathway such as in a park or garden. Had pneumatic tires been available at the time, it is likely that the invention would have been adopted by a much greater number of riders.
LIKEaBIKE utilizes Baron von Drais’ pioneering idea and updates it in a grand style suitable for your little prince or pricess.
With the LIKEaBIKE, children playfully acquire a sense of equilibrium and learn to play whilst acquiring a sense of balance - they will not need a bike with training wheels later on. LIKEaBIKE teaches balance and control at a much earlier age than with traditional pedal bicycles with stabilizing aids.
Safety Considerations:
- All LIKEaBIKES are classified as toy vehicles and should not be used on or near public paths and streets.
- Only one child should ride the vehicle at any one time.
- Children should be taught how to stop correctly using their feet as brakes.
- Maintenance checks of all aspects of the bike, including checking the tightness of screws, should be done regularly.
- If the bike is damaged in any way, do not allow your child to ride the bike until affected parts have been replaced.
- The bike should not be ridden without wearing an approved helmet.
If you use the LIKEaBIKE outdoors at any stage, please remember:
- Never let your child ride the LIKEaBIKE unattended -
- Avoid inclines at all times
- Avoid areas where there are obstacles of any description that could cause an accident.
REMEMBER – Your child is riding at an age where they do not have the capacity to make decisions regarding safety. As an adult supervisor, practice extreme caution at all times.
Design & Construction:
The Like-A-Bike is hand-crafted from varnished birch plywood, high-grade steel, felt and cotton. Its sturdy construction and high quality materials guarantee a long life which can never be paralleled with cheaper plastic toys.
Frame, Forks, and Handlebars:
Are all constructed from multiple-bonded birch plywood, and treated with high quality varnish (both to European toy safety standard EN71). The gap between the frame and fork is padded with felt, so little fingers cannot get trapped or pinched.
Hubs and Wheels:
The hubs are made from turned red beechwood with integrated bronze bearings, and guarantee easy operation. The wheels have bronze bush bearings, for a long maintenance-free life. The 29 cm rubber tires are inflatable with any standard bicycle pump, and are guaranteed not to mark floors or carpets.
Saddle:
The saddle height can be set at three levels from 13-16in off the ground. The cotton saddle cover is easily removable and washable at 85° F. The standard rear mudguard protects clothes from dirt, water and mud.
LIKEaBIKE – FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
For what age group is a LIKEaBIKE?
The LIKEaBIKE is suitable for children between the ages of two and five. For tall children, a seat pole extension is available.
What are the benefits for children who learn to ride a LIKEaBIKE?
Mastering how to ride a LIKEaBIKE will significantly improve your child's motor skills and sense of balance. Once your child is old enough to move on to a pedal-powered bike, they will learn to ride without having to use training wheels, since they have already learned how to keep their balance. The LIKEaBIKE is perfectly suited for a young child's urge to be active and is sure to make your child happy.
And what are the benefits for parents?
The Sunday afternoon walk in the park (often no walk in the park when little children are along!) becomes a pleasure for everyone. The quick dash over to the supermarket turns out to be truly quick at last. The early-morning drag to pre-school is suddenly something to look forward to.
Where do LIKEaBIKEs come from?
The LIKEaBIKE is manufactured and assembled in Germany. This practical little toy was initially developed in 1997 by the product designer Rolf Mertens, from the town of Aachen, for his own children. The LIKEaBIKE is indeed unique; it's in a category of toy vehicles all by itself.
What materials are used in building a LIKEaBIKE?
The LIKEaBIKE is crafted from birch plywood, stainless steel, rubber and felt. They are very sturdy, designed to hold up under the often rough treatment of young children.
Can the seat be adjusted in height?
The seat pole can be adjusted in height in four increments from 13 to 17 inches. A seat pole extension for taller children is also available.
Does the LIKEaBIKE come with a warranty?
Yes, there is a two-year warranty on every LIKEaBIKE.
Is any assembly necessary?
Yes, but it's really as easy as one, two, three. The handlebars have to be mounted on the fork, that's it! Two screws and the appropriate allen key come with the shipment. Tires might need to be inflated, too. A pump is not included.
What does a LIKEaBIKE weigh?
A LIKEaBIKE weighs around 8 pounds.
Does a LIKEaBIKE have brakes?
No, a LIKEaBIKE does not have brakes; children use their feet to brake and stop.
Does a LIKEaBIKE have pedals?
No, a LIKEaBIKE does not have pedals; children use their legs and feet to move forward .
What is the most common (and only reported) cause for damage to LIKEaBIKEs?
LIKEaBIKEs being left in the driveway behind mom's or dad's car...
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