Rapid City – September 18, 2026 -- Strider Bikes has launched the Strider Baby Balance Bike, a toy designed for infants aged 0 to 18 months that transitions from tummy-time play to early walking support.
The bike doubles as a sensory toy before babies can even sit up.
The design features raised letters, numbers and shapes on the wheels, giving babies tactile stimulation during tummy time. Once infants can sit independently, they can spin the wheels and twist the textured handlebars to explore how the toy moves.
Four points of contact aim to teach true independent balance.
As babies progress to standing and walking, the two-wheeled design combined with a baby's own feet creates four points of ground contact. Strider says this setup helps children build independent balance more effectively than three- or four-wheeled toys that balance on their own.
The bike weighs 2.4 lbs, a lightweight build intended to make it easy for babies to control as they walk alongside it. No-scratch tires are included to protect floors and furniture during indoor use.
Strider's CEO frames the toy as a tool for early brain development.
"From sensory fun to gross motor skills, the first year of a baby's life is the most important for their brain development," said Strider CEO Dona Nesselhuf. "The Strider Baby Balance Bike is the one toy that supports every crucial phase while building core memories."
The company cites the Cleveland Clinic's research that sensory play during tummy time supports language development, motor skills and neural pathway formation in infants.
The Strider Baby Balance Bike is now available for purchase at StriderBikes.com and on Amazon.