boot scoot bike :: balance and fun all in one {giveaway}

Learning how to ride a bike is hard.  Think about it... on a traditional bike kids are no only learning how to pedal, but also how to balance and steer at the same time.  After a couple attempts to teach Michaela how to ride a pedal bike last year I decided that we needed to get a balance bike to help her master all the skills necessary for riding a bike one step at a time.

I came across Boot Scoot Bikes while searching for a balance bike that wouldn't cost me an arm & a leg and I was really excited to find how affordable their balance bikes are ($77-$88).  I really LOVE that Boot Scoot Bikes come in such bright fun colors plus they have two different styles to choose from!

Here's how a Boot Scoot balance bike works:  
Most children start by walking while straddling their Boot Scoot. When they become more comfortable, they will begin to sit on the seat, push themselves forward, and maintain balance with both feet. As they learn to balance on their own, they will begin to lift their feet for short distances. Before long, they’ll be cruising along and you’ll have to quicken your pace just to keep up. Some children take a few days, others a few weeks to get the hang of it. No matter how long it takes, your child will have fun learning to ride their Boot Scoot.

To the above right you can see Michaela on her Sunrise Pink Zoomer.  If you can't tell by her big smile, she LOVES her new bike!  Below are examples of Boot Scoots two bike styles and additional color options, their Sky Blue Cruiser is for ages 3-6 and their Grass Green Zoomer for kids ages 2-5 (both styles come in all 3 color options).

Boot Scoot Bikes ship in a flat box and there is some assembly required, but it's pretty easy & only took me just over an hour to assemble our Zoomer.   It would have been much faster if I hadn't wasted time being confused by the word only instructions that were included and had gone gone online and downloaded the detailed User's Manual with images.

Zoomer :: $77
Cruiser :: $88

{ * GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED - BE SURE TO CHECK THE SIMPLE WINNERS TAB TO SEE WHO WON! * }

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One lucky SIMPLE reader is going to win a 25% off coupon to purchase your very own Boot Scoot Bike & 1 FREE bike accessory of your choice to add to that new bike. Here is how to enter:

• Tell me, who is the budding cyclist you'd like to win this for? (Required Entry)
• "Like" Boot Scoot Bike and SIMPLE on Facebook
• Post a status on your Facebook hyper linking SIMPLE and Boot Scoot Bike. In order to hyperlink, you need to be following both companies you will be hyper linking. Then enter the "@" symbol and start typing the name you want to hyperlink and choose it from the drop down that will pop up.
• Follow @simplereviews & @BootScoot on Twitter and send some twitter love. Tweet this (daily tweets allowed) :: #Win a 25% off coupon & a bike accessory from @BootScoot with @simplereviews: http://tiny.cc/d8vpq #giveaway #contest Please RT!
• Sign up for SIMPLE updates - enter your email address in the left sidebar on SIMPLE
• Publicly follow SIMPLE via Google Friend Connect  

Winner will be randomly chosen on May 12, 2011. Please reference Giveaway Rules at the top of the page before entering.  Good luck! 

*I purchased the Zoomer bike shown above at a discounted price to conduct this review using personal experience. The opinions expressed are my own.*