No training wheels, no problem: 4-year-old balance bike racer cops 23 trophies in a year
How old were you when you learned how to ride a two-wheeled bike?
For balance bike racer Quinnie Tan, that would be three years old.
Quinnie, now aged four, started balance bike riding in April 2024. What initially was meant to be a fun way to ease the preschooler into riding a two-wheeled bike became a competitive sport demanding tri-weekly training sessions with a coach.
She started racing a month after she started balance bike riding and has competed in 26 races, winning 23 trophies till date.
"She loved the freedom and the speed, and it's become part of her daily routine," said Ms Joyce Chew, Quinnie's mother.
Joyce encourages parents to let their child try balance bike riding, or any sport for that matter, as it is a character-building experience.
"Sports can actually help build resilience and confidence for kids, especially in toddlers," the 37-year-old told Stomp.
"When Quinnie used to fall down, she would just start crying and stop there. But eventually, with more encouragement from her parents and the community, she was eventually able to stand up and continue with a positive attitude."
During a recent race that took place from July 4 to 5 in Langawi, Malaysia, Quinnie took a hard fall just seconds after taking off from the starting line.
In a video Joyce posted on Instagram, Quinnie can be seen tripping over another biker's foot, and falling onto the ground.
"She picked herself up without hesitation and finished the race strong," Joyce recounted. "It wasn't about winning - it was about seeing her resilience and how she finished with a smile.
"She needed to be in the top four to get to the semi-finals, and when she fell, the rest of the kids were so far away from her. She was in no-man's land. But she kept going."
Despite the fall, Quinnie was able to catch up to the other racers and secured fourth place, moving into the race's semi-final round.
"That moment really touched me, because even as adults we sometimes give up. Seeing my four-year-old girl pick herself up really moved me and I'm very proud of her."
To Joyce, balance bike riding is more than just a sport - it's a community of people who want to uplift one another.
"The community is very supportive and tight-knit. Even though the kids are technically competing with each other, other parents will still cheer for your kids, and during the races, the kids will make friends with each other," she said.
Asked what she enjoys about balance bike racing, Quinnie told Stomp: "Big trophies!"
As a parent, Joyce hopes the balance bike riding community in Singapore will grow. She applauds Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for trying to bring light to the sport.
"The community is small right now, but as more people get exposed to the sport, I hope more kids will be able to try it," Joyce added.
View the gallery for more photos of Quinnie in action.
