5 Best Kids Bikes (2024): Balance, Pedal, Coaster

Most people think I ride a bike with my kids Because I like exercise or because I want to compete Climate changeNone of these things are true (or, at least, not the whole answer). No, it’s just that sitting in the car in the pickup or dropoff line makes me feel like throwing myself directly into the path of an oncoming 18-wheeler. Now that my kids are 7 and 9, and old enough to ride bikes with me, it’s even more funny to watch them jump onto the sidewalk and stomp their feet and yell, “We live in a city where we live JUNGLE!” is much more difficult than waiting for the traffic light to change.

There are many kids on the Wired Gear team, and we recruited several of them to test these kids bikes on rides to school, trails, or around the park. These are our top picks for every age and size. Don’t see a bike for your kid here? Let us know, as we’ll continue to test and update these featured bikes. And if you’re looking for a bike for yourself, check out our website Best Electric Bike, best cheap ebikeAnd Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families guide.

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How to buy a bike for kids

Bikes are expensive. It can be tempting to secure your child’s future by buying a bike that’s one or two sizes bigger. Don’t fall into this trap! Not only is it inconvenient, it’s also unsafe – what’s the point? You Do you expect to control a bike that’s two sizes bigger than you?

To find the right size, you’ll need to measure either your child’s height or their minimum inseam length. Kids’ bikes are measured by wheel size, so a 12-inch bike means a bike with 12-inch wheels, and so on. When you find a bike, see if your child can stand comfortably on the frame with their feet flat on the ground. Make sure your child can get on and off easily and that if the bike has brakes and shifters, their hands can reach them.

Other factors you might want to consider: