Originally Posted by jenboo:
Did you use a balance bike when your kids were little? There isn't any teaching with a balance bike. It's a tiny bike low to the ground that they push with their feet.
I honestly don't see much difference between having a balance bike and other ride on toys. I also don't see this being an issue with insurance as others have mentioned. My insurance asked me if i had climbers, but didn't ask about riding toys.
I think helmets are great to have as a safety precaution for any riding toys. I think the op mentioned gloves which in this case i think would be used as a "cool" factor vs safety since little kids riding a balance bike in the dirt don't need gloves.
I have thought of making a bike path in my backyard but i don't want to kill the grass 
i think bike paths are great since all the kids are going in the same direction vs playing bumper cars.
I don't know what a balance bike is...lol
my kids are 19-21, I have a 9 yr old too, but he always rode on 2 wheels only too...
I guess I should go and see what a balance bike is...lol