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Get on your bike
Learning to ride a bike is an important and fun childhood milestone, but choosing the right trike or bike for your child can be complicated, given all of the available options. Do you get a trike with a steering handle? Is it best to start with a balance bike or training wheels? Which are better, hand brakes or coaster brakes? We’ve done the groundwork for you and rounded up 10 of the bestselling and best-reviewed bikes and trikes on Amazon. No matter which you choose, don’t forget the helmet and have fun!
Scroll the arrows above for our roundup of bestselling bikes and trikes.
A note on choosing the right size bike
Getting the correct bike is essential for both learning and safety. The recommended age range and wheel size can help to narrow down your choices, but most experts agree that the best determinant of correct bike size is the child’s inseam length. Here’s a useful article on choosing the correct size.
Trikes
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike
This convertible trike grows with your child from age 1–5. For each new stage of riding, you simply remove an accessory. Start with the infant trike, which features a UV–ray-blocking canopy, a tray, footrest, three-point harness and parent push handle. Remove the tray for a steering trike, remove the footrest and canopy for the learn-to-ride version and, finally, remove the parent steering handle for independent riding.
Schwinn Roadster
For kids ages 2–4 who are ready to ride, try this roadster trike. It has a low center of gravity for easier riding and a retro look with mustache handlebars, a bell, chrome fenders and flowing tassels that will make parents smile. The seat has five lock positions to adjust for growing legs or siblings who want to get in on the fun.
Balance bikes
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Balance bikes have no pedals, allowing kids to use their feet to learn to stop and steer without the added coordination required for pedaling. The seats and handlebars on this Strider 12 are adjustable to support your growing child from about 18 months to 5 years of age. Mini grips on the handlebars are perfect for little hands, and this bike is very lightweight, making it easier for parents to carry it when their child (inevitably) gets tired.
Retrospec Cub Balance Bike
This balance bike has an adjustable seat and handlebars so children as young as 20 months all the way up to 5 years can ride comfortably. It features airless tires to ensure that your child won’t get a flat in the middle of a ride. The low frame makes it easy for kids to climb on and off the bike — and makes for a shorter fall if they take a tumble.
Beginner bikes with removable training wheels
Joystar Totem Kids Bike
This BMX-style bike comes with training wheels plus a handle on the back of the saddle seat for parent help once the training wheels come off. It also has a chain guard and coaster brakes. This bike comes in a variety of sizes, from 12-inch wheels for kids ages 2–4 to 18-inch wheels for ages 5–9. These bikes are available in blue, green, ivory, pink and silver and come with decals for personalization.
Schwinn Grit and Petunia
This Schwinn has both training wheels and a parent push handle that actually steers the bike. The handle features a water bottle holder and it’s easily removable when no longer needed. It also features a chain guard, front and back fenders, and a bell. This bike generally fits kids ages 2–4 years and comes in orange, pink and teal.
RoyalBaby Freestyle Bike
The Royal Baby Bike is available in 12-, 14- and 16-inch wheel sizes with training wheels. It features an adjustable seat, wider-than-average tires for more stability, a hand brake with a short grip for little hands, plus a coaster brake as a backup.
Beginner bikes with hand brakes
Guardian Ethos Bike
As seen on Shark Tank, this bike has Sure Stop technology, with a hand brake that stops both wheels, allowing riders to stop 44 percent faster and avoid head-over-handlebar falls. This model is best for riders ages 4–6. Each bike comes with a 30-day trial and a lifetime guarantee, and it assembles quickly with all needed tools included in the box.
Schwinn Koen
With Schwinn’s SmartStart technology, this bike’s kid-friendly design features a lighter frame, a narrower pedal position and smaller grips. This bike comes in a variety of sizes, from 12-inch wheels for kids ages 2–4 to 20-inch wheels for ages 6 and older. The seat offers tool-free adjustment, and the bike has both hand and coaster brakes.
Huffy Kids Bike Go Girl & Ignyte
This eye-catching bike from Huffy is for kids ages 5–9 who can cycle independently without training wheels. Choose from blue, red, purple or pink (with cool shimmery tassels on the pink and purple versions). These bikes offer both hand and coaster brakes, kickstands, adjustable seats and easy assembly.
Editor’s note: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase products through links in this article, ParentMap may earn an affiliate commission.
