How Mackinac Island Unleashed My Son’s Balance Bike Confidence

The Dream of a Car-Free Biking Utopia 

This one-of-a-kind island isn’t a fairy tale or a hidden European village – such a place exists in present-day US, nestled in the northern reaches of Lake Huron, accessible only by ferry, plane, or snowmobile in the winter. 

Mackinac Island, Michigan, is a treasured American gem, a place where cars have been banned for over a century, and the magic of two wheels (and four legs!) reigns supreme. My wife and I recently embarked on an adventure to this unique car-free island with our curious three-year-old and his woom balance bike in tow. We discovered a world where "getting around" is an adventure in itself. 

Celebrating Jack’s Third Birthday: A Balance Bike Adventure on Bicycle Island

As fate would have it, we left for Mackinac Island on Jack’s third birthday. He was beyond stoked to head to a new place (one we’d been hyping up for months) – and he even started calling it the “bicycle island”. He could hardly believe such a mythical place really existed!

Despite all the excitement, I admit to secretly being a bit disappointed when thinking about bikes, as we packed up to leave. Months prior, I had expected that Jack would be pedaling his new woom GO 2 by this point, after having mastered his balance bike almost a year prior and now nearing the upper limits of his woom 1 seatpost height at 39” tall. Especially with his newfound ability to coast for large stretches (while proudly shouting “NO FEET ON THE GROUND, DADDY!”), I thought my son was cleary ready to take on the challenge of learning to pedal. 

However, I was reminded that toddlers develop at their own pace; just because he was physically ready doesn’t mean he was mentally. After all, it’s not on me to impose a timeline on his growth or push him too hard. It's important that he enjoy the ride at his own speed, on his own path. As it turned out, this laid-back “laissez-faire” attitude toward his progression fit the vibe of the island just perfectly.

Getting to Mackinac Island: A Car, A Ferry, Bikes & Horses

Most children are fascinated with things that go. And if they're like my son, they're especially fascinated with novel forms of transportation. From cement trucks to tractors to cargo e-bikes to tandem motorcycles to helicopters, the weirder the better. While the trip from our home near Lansing, MI to the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula required a 3 hour car drive northward, after we parked the car, unloaded our bikes, and re-assembled our Burley Encore X bike trailer – that’s when things got interesting.

Waiting to board Shepler’s Ferry, Jack’s interest was already piqued. He had never seen such a large vessel, and we chose to ride above deck to catch a better view of Lake Huron and the awe-inspiring Mackinac Bridge – the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere. In mid-May when we visited, it was crucial that we brought our coats (especially for the ferry ride) as northern Michigan is still likely to be a bit on the chilly side. Another pro-tip: if you can fit your woom bike inside the bike trailer like we did, you can save on bike ferry fare. 

Before we had even docked, (much to Jack’s amazement) we had a bird’s eye view of the action from the top deck of the ferry. We watched as horses hauled cargo from the port, and legendary Mackinac dockporters effortlessly loaded up obscene amounts of luggage onto their sturdy cargo bikes. Speaking of fully-loaded bikes, taking our own bikes on the ferry (instead of renting bikes on the island) made for seamless logistics, with all of our luggage fitting into panniers or the bike trailer. After we docked, we simply rolled off the ferry and rode right to our nearby hotel – no need for parking lots or Ubers.

The moment we exited the port and made our way out onto Main Street, I was viscerally taken aback. I had never experienced such a feeling anywhere else in the US. The complete lack of car traffic was startling – to the point where it legitimately felt like visiting a foreign nation or going back in time. And yet, despite lacking anything going more than 20 miles per hour… it was bustling, in its own unique way. Some teams of horses pulled van-sized carriages with massive loads of cargo while other horse-drawn carriages carried up to 20 tourists on historical tours. Parked bikes lined both sides of the narrow main street, pedestrians walked about freely and unencumbered, and bicycles of all shapes and sizes were the fastest moving traffic – cruiser bikes, Dutch city bikes, tandems, cargo trikes, and bike trailers galore. Having already dabbled in a car-free lifestyle and developed a fascination for alternate transportation, my wife, my son and I were excited to explore the island and learn more about how it functioned without automobiles. It didn’t disappoint!

A Day of Bike Adventures 

With only one full day on the island, we aimed to make the most of it. I woke up before dawn to sneak in a solo bike ride before my family awoke, and was rewarded with a sense of serenity I have rarely experienced in my life. With no motorized traffic and not even any horses afoot yet, the striking silence of dawn on Mackinac Island – along with the misty morning fog and lakeshore scenery – created a ride I won’t soon forget. But that was still all before breakfast. 

After loading up on diner fare at the cozily-sized Chuckwagon (where you can see your food getting prepared 5 feet away and chat with your cook), we were ready for a day of family biking adventures. With two adult bikes (a Surly Long Haul Trucker and an old-school single-speed Fuji Berkeley), two large Arkel panniers, a Burley bike trailer, and Jack’s trusty woom 1 balance bike, we were all set. While we initially considered bringing our Tern GSD e-cargo bike, it should be noted that e-bikes are prohibited on Mackinac Island, with exceptions for those with mobility issues. That being the case, our Burley Encore bike trailer gave us the flexibility for Jack to either ride his own bike, or hop in the Burley – depending on his whimsy. This extended our range and allowed us to venture out further than walking distance from our hotel near Main Street. 

A famous rite of passage on Mackinac is riding the full length of Lake Shore Drive, a.k.a. M-185, the only state highway in the U.S. where no cars are allowed (with the exception of a few emergency vehicles). The iconic road is an 8-mile loop around the entire island with constant stunning views of Lake Huron, including a great vantage of the famous Arch Rock. On my own, I could easily complete the loop in a half hour – but as a family, we took two or three hours (counting our stops along the way), and enjoyed every minute. 

The Perfect Pace for Confidence

On the ride, we stopped often to stare at the crystal blue water, and other times to play with smooth rocks, eat some of that famous Mackinac fudge, visit a scenic playground, look up close at an old historic cannon, talk to carriage coachmen and their horses, and visit a butterfly house. And throughout it all, we kept pushing forward. Sometimes Jack wanted to ride. Other times, he wanted to sit in the trailer. Other times, he wanted to get out and inspect something closer – and it felt great to let him lead the way for the most part.

Jack relished his freedom to choose whether he wanted to be a rider or a passenger in the bike trailer; the flexibility to do either option definitely seemed to have an empowering effect on him. Similarly, the utter lack of fast-moving car traffic, and the abundance of other friendly cyclists both seemed to noticeably add confidence to his ride.

Also, I’m pretty sure he overheard the multiple curious strangers who kept commenting on how impressive he was cruising on his balance bike. No one could believe this toddler could easily balance and zoom around so effortlessly (he loves to show off and put his legs up when he’s at speed). Seriously, people approached and commented upwards of ten times because they were so shocked; it became like a trope. Hearing my son notify me that he was, in fact, “CRUSHING IT” (after mimicking what he heard from an onlooker) was a hilarious highlight. Truth be told, he was the youngest rider I saw on the island, hands down. 

As someone who thinks about children’s bikes everyday, I had to remind myself: most Americans are unfamiliar with the concept of toddlers getting around on a two-wheeler without training wheels. And so, while Jack wasn’t already pedaling the day he turned three – like I thought might be the case – I also had to remind myself he’s still crushing it for a three-year-old.

Mackinac Island Kid-Friendly Must-Do List for Families

1. Plan a picnic at Doud’s Market:
   Going shopping with a toddler is always an adventure, but visiting Doud’s is a truly special. After 140 years of business it remains America’s oldest family-owned grocery store, and is a staple of the island for both tourists and ~500 full-time residents. 
2. Treat yourself at Ryba’s Mackinac Island Fudge:
   After burning off calories biking, you deserve a sweet treat, and there’s no better place in the world to get fudge than Mackinac Island, known as the “Fudge Capital of the World”. 
3. Get inspired at The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World:
   Nothing quite captures a child’s imagination quite like insects, especially butterflies. Pro-tip: buy tickets on your first day on the island, then re-visit as much as you want.
4. Take in sights at The Grand Hotel: 
   Open since 1887, this National Historic Landmark is a must-see, even if just passing by. From the awe-inspiring secret garden to the stately architecture, the world-famous Grand Hotel has been visited by six US presidents.
5. Hike or bike to Arch Rock: 
   One of the most photographed locations on the island, the renowned geological feature can be seen towering above from Lake Shore Drive, or visited up close via the Arch Rock Bicycle Trail.
6. Relax and play at Mackinac Island Playground: 
   Part of the Mackinac Island Public School system, this centrally located playground is a great place to unwind with a kid, and offers swings, slides, and sweeping panoramic views of bluffs lining the Lake Huron shoreline. 
7. Go on a tour with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours:
   While biking is the fastest way to get around the island, going on a horse-drawn carriage tour is sure to be a memorable experience and full of historic insights.

Enjoying the Ride 

Life is full of dualities. Legendary cyclist and Texas-native Lance Armstrong reminded us it’s not about the bike, but about finding purpose along life’s journey. While his point rings true, on the flip side, there’s no doubt a high-quality bike makes an important difference in terms of comfort and safety, which greatly affects confidence. Similarly, it’s not just about the destination (even though Mackinac Island was fantastic and I totally recommend you visit) – instead, it’s about enjoying the ride along the way.

Watching my son, Jack, confidently navigate a car-free island highlighted the power of place. A slow-paced, bike-friendly environment can truly foster a child's love for movement. And of course, his woom balance bike was key. He was easily the littlest rider (that I saw) on the island, and his effortless balance consistently amazed onlookers. But it wasn't about speed or distance; it was about the sheer delight he found exploring on his own two wheels.

So, whether you're seeking out local bike paths or planning a grand adventure like ours, remember that with woom you're not just buying a bike—you're investing in your child's confidence, independence, and a lifetime of joyful rides. Empower your little rider, embrace the journey, and discover the magic that unfolds when you simply let them enjoy the ride.