How to Choose a Bike for a Child
Is your son ready to swap his tricycle for a two-wheeler? Or have you decided to get your daughter a brand new bike for her birthday? Either way, the sea of options in the stores can be overwhelming. There is a way to find the best bike for your child.
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Instructions
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Check the size of the bike. Have your child stand with one foot on either side of the bicycle. Your child should be able to stand easily over the front bar, and to get onto the seat by leaning just a tiny bit.
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Make sure that your child can reach the handlebars easily, while sitting on the seat of the bike. At the same time, make sure that the handlebars are not so close that your child's knees are practically hitting them. For a chart to help you estimate the proper bike size, see Resources.
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Decide whether your child requires training wheels. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 are perfectly suited for training wheels. The wheels will give them a sense of self-confidence and security that will serve them well as they become more proficient cyclers. Once they are comfortable with the training wheels, you can consider raising the wheels 1/4 inch as a scaffold to removing them altogether.
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Be sure that the bike uses coaster brakes instead of hand brakes, if your child is younger or is just learning how to ride a bike. Coaster brakes are activated when the rider pedals backwards suddenly. Hand brakes require higher levels of strength and coordination, and they are therefore inappropriate for younger cyclers.
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Look at what the bike is made of. More expensive bikes often are made of higher quality materials, such as metals. Most importantly, the hub, spokes and rim of the wheels should be made of metal.
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Let your child have the final choice, once you have narrowed down your selection to a few bikes. This will give your child a great amount of satisfaction and pride in the new bike.
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Tips & Warnings
If a younger sibling of the opposite gender will be reusing the bike later, you may want to choose a more neutral color.
All bikes in the U.S. have been approved by the CPSC for safety. If you are buying a bicycle outside of the U.S., be careful to check for loose or dangerous parts.
