Exercise in the fresh air, getting used to road traffic bit by bit, physical training with a lot of fun - the list of advantages for a child who learns to ride a bike at an early age is long. Equally long is the list of equipment on the market that is (supposedly) totally important when a kid wants to get on a bike. But what of it really makes sense?
We've taken a close look at the equipment around kids and bikes for you. There are things that a little bike rider absolutely needs. Then there's gear that's really handy on the road. And then there are things that aren't a must-have on the road, but will keep motivation high and entice your kid to go for a bigger spin on the bike.
Here we answer all parents the most important Fahrgen, which arise around the first driving attempts on two wheels!
How do toddlers travel safely on their parents' bikes?
Many parents want to transport their children on bicycles at an early age.
- A cargo e-bike is of course especially convenient and safe, because there is enough space and therefore enough crumple zone around the child in case of an accident.
- A children's trailer behind the parent's bike offers enough space for one or two children, and you can also store toys, spare clothes and snacks. Here at BMO, you'll find safe kid trailers that solve your transportation problems.
- Even safer, your child will travel in a child seat on the rack if it has a high backrest that also protects the child's head and torso from the sides. With these child seats, the legs are safely tucked into plastic shells, and a three-point harness keeps your passenger from getting loose on the go. Child seats are suitable for toddlers who can already sit safely, at some point during the kindergarten years most children simply become too big and heavy for a child seat. In addition, then the age is reached where children prefer to pedal themselves and have a lot of fun on their own children's bike.
What inch size should a children's bike have?
What frame size a kids bike should have is not that hard to determine. First and foremost, when buying a kids bike, you should look at the height rather than the age of your youngster. Many children's bikes come with age ratings, but since not all children grow at the same rate, these ratings are inaccurate.
The size of children's bikes is given in inches, where the diameter of the tires is measured. The smallest children's bikes and running bikes are 12 inches, and bikes up to 24 inches are considered youth bikes. In 26 inches there are many youth bikes, but also small adult bikes have 26 inch tires, so there is especially much choice here.
> Just read on at our kids bikes, there you'll find more information on choosing the right frame size.
Our size chart gives you an overview:
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Step length
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Body size
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Age*
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Bike size
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approx. 30 cm
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ca. 86 cm
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up to 3 years
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Wheel
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From 40 cm
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from 95 cm
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approximately 3 years
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12 inches
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from 45 cm
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from 100 cm
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approximately 3 to 4 years
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14 inches
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from 48 cm
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from 105 cm
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approximately 4 years
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16 inches
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from 51 cm
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from 115 cm
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approximately 5 years
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18 inches
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from 55 cm
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from 120 cm
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approximately 6 years
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20 inches
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from 65 cm
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from 135 cm
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approximately 11 years
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24 inches
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from 70 cm
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145 cm
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approximately 12 years
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26 inches
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* please note that ages are only a rough guide here, the child's height and leg length are more important!
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Which is the best bike for your child?
Mountain bike, road bike or comfort bike, there are a wide variety of bikes available even in small inch sizes. Logo, the kiddies want to ride the bikes their parents have too. When mom goes mountain biking, the offspring want to go along. When dad gets on a road bike, the kids want a drop bar bike too. But does that make sense?
The smaller the kids, the less emphasis you can put on bells and whistles; a neutral kids' bike is best for the early years.
The distinction between bikes for girls and bikes for boys are purely a matter of looks for small frame sizes. There are bikes in typical girl colors or in a look that boys like better. Glitter, football stickers, bike basket or horn, all well and good. But safety always comes first!
- A children's bike should be as light as possible, as this makes it easier for children to handle and balance upright. Therefore, most children's bikes are made of aluminum. Aluminium is light and robust, both important criteria for a children's bike!
- Your child should be able to put both feet on the ground while seated.
- He must be able to stand in front of the saddle without touching the top tube.
- No matter how sporty a diamond frame looks, kids do best with a low step-in bike!
- Fingers need to be able to reach the brakes easily and pull easily.
- Children's bikes rarely need extensive gears, usually it is enough to have a few gears from school age onwards.
- On a child's bike, a hub gear with a twist grip and a few gears is sufficient. Hub gears are durable and particularly easy to use.
- Many children like it when they can load a carrier with their most important utensils.
- At the latest from school age, a bicycle must be equipped roadworthy.
- A child should be able to control the bike well and feel safe on it. This is in doubt more important than a bike with a cool look!
- We have children's bikes from different manufacturers in our online shop, there is sure to be one that meets your asking price, is easy for your child to handle and looks really cool at the same time!
What's the easiest way for my child to learn how to ride a bike?
Toddlers from about one year
A two wheel is usually too wobbly for toddlers. A small car with four wheels or a tricycle, on the other hand, offer enough stability. These vehicles are suitable for the first driving attempts indoors or in the garden.
Toddlers from about one year upwards can ride a slide car or a tricycle with or without pedals.
A running bike is fun for children from about 2 years old
The easiest introduction to the fun of bicycles is a running bike. Here, children can practice their balance and become familiar with the steering and hand brakes. Since the little legs can be placed on the ground at any time, children feel safe and gradually learn to assess speed and their ability. You just have to remember that at this age, munchkins like to become traffic rowdies, because they don't yet understand the rules of behavior on the road and sidewalk, and they don't yet have any overview of the situation in front of them. In addition, they are small and are easily overlooked. Nevertheless, little guys on the wheel become very, very fast! That's why you should practice with your child, especially in the early days, in places that are far away from traffic. Especially braking should be trained with your child, so he knows what to do in dangerous situations.
Children under the age of three can ride a running bike.
> Find our running bikes in 12 or 14 inches here.
Bicycles for kindergarteners aged three and up
Many children ride a 12-inch bike or a 14-inch bike by the time they are three years old or in kindergarten. If your child still prefers to get on his running bike at this age, though, don't push. Eventually, he'll switch of his own accord!
In 12 inches you will find running bikes for kindergarten children and also the first bikes! 14 inch wheels are then already "real" bikes.
> Check out our kids bikes in 12 inch and 14 inchby!
Bikes for older kindergarteners up to age 6
Between the ages of 3 and 6, which is kindergarten age, most kids ride bikes from 16 inches to 20 inches. Luggage racks, hub gears and disc brakes, there's everything on these bikes that's practical on a parent bike too! With 18 inches, there is an intermediate size here, but these bikes are rather rare to find, as most kids skip this frame size.
> Explore our kids bikes for around 4 to 6 years in 16 inches and 20 inches.
Bikes for school children
In elementary school or at around 9 to 11 years old, a 24 inch bike usually fits the bill. These bikes sometimes already have derailleur gears. Nice and slowly they become more and more similar to adult bikes. From 26 inches, youth bikes are equipped like big bikes. You can buy mountain bikes, fullys, city bikes and even racing bikes here.
> One click to youth bikes in 24 inchesand 26 inches.
When do children learn to ride a bike?
The best time for the first attempts on two wheels is very individual. You definitely shouldn't start putting your child on a wheel too early. If the body tension and coordination are not yet sufficiently developed, it comes quickly to unsightly falls. Fortunately, most of the time nothing much happens and no major injuries are to be feared. But the scare can be enough - the unpleasant experience spoils the fun for your child and he simply doesn't want to get on his bike again.
- Just wait until your child shows interest in a running bike or sliding vehicle or tricycle on their own.
- A crawling child who sits securely will have fun on a slide car.
- Children who can walk freely safely usually get around quickly on a running bike.
- For many children, moving from a running bike to a bicycle is a matter of a few hours! Steering and braking know the tots then already, the balance is sufficiently trained. It does not even need training wheels, with a few attempts the pedaling is learned and it can go off!
- Generally, it is advised not to let children ride their bikes without supervision until about 9 or 10 years old or until the fourth grade. That's when many kids take their bicycle driver's license at school. They then know the most important traffic rules and find their way around their environment.
Which bicycle helmet for children?
How to find the right helmet for children:
- First measure the head circumference. With the result, you can buy the right kids helmet
- Just make a shortlist, park a few kids helmets on our wishlist
- Then let your kid pick the helmet they like the most
- You can also find helmet caps here in the online shop, so that in winter the ears don't get cold under the bike helmet
How should a bicycle helmet for children fit?
You can adjust the helmet to the circumference of your head with a dial in the neck. If you then adjust the straps so that there is still room for two fingers under the chin, the helmet fits well. It shouldn't pinch, but it shouldn't wobble either.
Which children's helmet is the best?
If your child likes the helmet, he or she will probably enjoy wearing it. Also, of course, the helmet should fit well. So regardless of the brand, a bike helmet that matches your kid's taste in color and design is the best helmet.
Here at Bike Mailorder you will only find helmets from proven brands, so you can be sure that the quality is right.
What do you need so that your child likes to ride a bike safely?
These are the bike accessories you should buy to make sure your child enjoys riding a bike safely:
The most important equipment - you should definitely buy this if your child rides a bike!
- Just buy a good children's bike helmet. That checks off the most important bike equipment.
These parts are really handy on the road!
- Practical might be the wrong word here, but many kids benefit from an extra layer of safety. Here in our online shop, you'll find protectors for kids in a wide variety of sizes. There are knee pads, back protectors, and arm braces to protect novice riders and crash kids in nasty falls.
- Even on longer rides, you should pack one of our first aid kits.
- Think about a spare tube or two in kids' wheel size! You can order bike inner tubes from 12 inches to 24 inches here.
- Kids like to have their own water supply with them. By the way, there's nothing wrong with using the bike bottles as a bottle for school or kindergarten, too. And, pssst...here's an insider tip. Bike bottles are soft and easy to squeeze. Thus, they replace the water gun on the road!
- If you're planning bigger trips, kids' bike shorts and a bike jacket or rain jacket will keep you more comfortable on the go.
Biking gear for kids that's just plain fun
- A bike basket or panniers will help if your kid likes to pack a few things themselves, and prevent teddy loss and the drama that follows. Front panniers are smaller than rear panniers and therefore fit well on a child's bike.
- Your tours like to get longer? Then plug in a tow rope! With these tow ropes, you can take a kid in tow when he runs out of breath
- Support wheels are sometimes included with smaller kids' bikes, but you can also buy them separately. We list them here as rather unimportant, because if a child is already riding a running bike, he often doesn't need them.
Just look around in our large family bike world, here you will not only find children's and youth bikes in a wide variety of sizes, colors and features, we also have inexpensive bikes and high-quality models for frequent riders on offer. In the children's clothing there are cycling clothes in children's sizes and of course the matching bicycle helmets.
