S.L.
Yes it will be great for him to learn to pedal a real bike. All three of my kids had small bikes with training wheels and took the training wheels off when they were brave enough. One at 4 1/2 (very athletic and daring) one at 5 and one at 7. The 7 yr old was very coordinated and athletic but she hated falling! I dont think training wheels slows them down, little kids bikes with no pedals are not usually set up to teach them to balance.