Learning to ride a bike isn’t easy. Teaching your child to do it is even harder.

That’s the take from a father of two — one now pedaling with abandon, another soon to be doing so — on our fine cul-de-sac in this fair city of Lawrence, America.

A rundown:

• A tough task: Getting the training wheels on. I’m an idiot when it comes to all things mechanical. I’ve said it before, but this bears repeating: Good thing the guy across the street, with an awesome set of tools, can bail me out. (Or you could do as some parents are doing and forego the training wheels — see page 16.)

• Tougher: Taking the training wheels off. It’s not so much the short-term pain of watching a wobbly beginning — yes, kids do tend to fall and scrape their knees — but the long-term outlook that comes with seeing your daughter smile and speed up and just keep on going, all to herself. She’ll be driving soon, heading off to college and, the good Lord willing, making a darn fine life for herself. They do grow up fast. Be sure to brace yourself for yet another milepost on the inevitable journey.

• Even tougher: Convincing the young ones to wear helmets at all times. Sure, it’s socially acceptable to wear a safety helmet while riding — even if it messes up the hair. But being sure the protection is worn correctly does at times require a gentle parental reminder.

• The toughest: Trying to put the hammer down, knowing full well that you never once wore a helmet as a child — even during the bike race at the canyon where, as a second-grader, you finished in second place (out of two riders) when you crashed in the sand about 30 feet short of the finish line, and you had to walk your dirt bike the rest of the way because your chain came off.

Take it from me: Learning to ride a bike is tough. Letting go just may be a bit tougher.