Everyone remembers getting their first bike - the source of so many joyful moments, and so many bruised knees as well. I certainly do very vividly. It was Christmas morning, and I got out of bed super excited to see what Santa had left me under the tree. To my surprise, it wasn't a Barbie doll as I had imagined – but my very own bike. This meant I was finally big enough to join my brothers and their bikes next summer.
When you're a kid, getting a bike opens up a whole world of possibilities. It lets you experience for the first time the world of adults. Adults get to right a bike, and now you can too. You finally get to reach speeds which you can't by simply running around, and get home right in time for lunch without your parents being mad.
But when you're a parent, the bike represents just one of the many responsibilities of raising a child. So, when the time comes to get your child their first bike, there are many questions on your mind. What model is safest for my child? Are training wheels necessary? What is better to invest in – a high-end bicycle to be passed down to generations or a cheap model for my kid to toss around? You might even think, well, it's easier to just get them an electric scooter. But there's no sentimental value in scooters. Scooters don't present a challenge for kids to overcome and receive a boost of confidence.
So, don't overlook this important milestone in your child's life. Instead, get properly informed and get them the safest and most suitable model for them. Here are some things to consider when browsing through the wide offer on kids bicycles.
Training Wheels or No Training Wheels?
First things first. No child can get up on a regular bike and start cycling straight away. First, they need to pass the learning phase. Many parents want to make learning to ride a bike easier for their child. For that reason, they believe that fitting training wheels on is the right thing to do. However, training wheels are no longer considered the best option for learning how to cycle.
As a matter of fact, training wheels make it more difficult to learn how to balance. And keeping balance is the most crucial skill children need to master in order to learn how to ride a bike. For that reason, balance bikes are a better choice for a beginner. Balance kids bicycles have no pedals, so kids need to push their feet on the ground in order to make the bike move. They also have a footrest, where the kids can place their feet once they get the bike going. This way, kids learn how to balance the bike, which makes it a lot easier to master the basics.
What About Gears?
Once the child is confident to move onto a regular bike, you'll need to decide whether to get a bike with gears and hand brakes similar to adult models or one with a single speed and coaster brakes. As a parent, you may be worried that the kid might stop abruptly the hand brakes which can cause him/her to flip over the handlebars and get hurt. But if your kid is old enough and understands your instructions, mastering a bike with brakes and speeds will be easy. However, if it's a small child we're talking about, it's safer to get a bike with a single speed.
Finding the Right Size
And then there's size to think about. Buying a bike is nothing like buying a coat. Don't even think to get a larger model for your child to grow into. This can prove a dangerous choice. It's important for the bike to be the right size for your kid so that they can steer easier and have greater control. To check whether the bike is the correct size for your kid, have him/her get on the bike. Ideally, the kid should be able to get both feet on the floor for increased safety and support. There are a variety of sizes for kids bicycles. If you're ordering online, your child's height can help you determine the right size. In general, there are 5 kids bicycles sizes.
10-inch bikes (tricycles and balance bikes) – suitable for children between 85cm and 1m in hight;
12 and 14-inch bikes (balance bikes that can turn into regular bikes) – children between 90cm – 1.05 m high;
16-inch bikes – children between 1.05m and 1.20m high;
20-inch bikes – children between 1.20m and 1.35m high;
24-inch bikes – children between 1.35m and 1.55m.
Don't Forget Protection!
Kids may think it's not cool to wear a helmet and other protective equipment. However, your job as a parent is to teach them how important protection is. Especially helmets. The brain is the most important part of the body. It controls all vital functions, so it makes sense to protect something this important.
In addition, regularly checking and maintaining the bike is also important for bike safety. This way, you can catch any faults on time, before they lead to an accident. This is especially important for tyres as one of the leading causes of bike accidents are flat or under-inflated tyres. Regularly measure the pressure of the tyres and make sure it matches the pressure rating listed on them. It's a great idea to invest in a tyre gauge and pump so that you can inspect the tyres and inflate them at any time.