The Best Toddler Bike for Teaching Your Little One to Ride
Getting your toddler their first bike is an important milestone, as is teaching kids to ride a bike for the first time. In addition to encouraging little ones to be independent, bike riding offers a ton of developmental benefits, including balance, coordination, fine motor skills, and muscle strength.
However, teaching your kiddo to ride a new bike is often easier said than done. From choosing an appropriate bike to consoling a child when they fall off, being prepared for any situation will help the process glide along. So, whether your child is two years old or ready to take off the training wheels, we’ve compiled a list of the best toddler bikes and the most frequently asked questions when teaching your little one to ride.
Our Top 5 Toddler Bike Picks
Best Overall Toddler Bike: Strider Sport Balance Bike
Best Budget Toddler Bike: KaZAM v2e No Pedal Balance Bike
Best First Toddler Bike: Besrey 5-in-1 Toddler Bike
Best Pedal Bike with Training Wheels: Schwinn Koen & Elm Toddler Bike
Best Budget Pedal Toddler Bike: Joystar Totem Kids Bike
What to Consider When Teaching Your Little One to Ride a Bike
At What Age Should Parents Teach Their Children to Ride a Bike?
Because young children develop and grow at their own pace, there’s no perfect age to teach your child to ride a bike. On average, little ones learn to ride a bike between 2 years old and 5 years old. However, there are a few factors to consider that may affect a child’s ability to ride a bike, with the primary factor being the type of bike. For instance, If a child’s bike is a balance bike or tricycle, they may be able to start riding it sooner than a typical pedal bike.
How Do I Teach My Toddler to Balance?
If you started your child on a bike with training wheels or stabilizers and think they’re now ready to balance on their own, there are a few tricks that will help.
- Adjust the seat height: A child should be able to put their feet flat on the ground when sitting on the bike seat.
- Don’t hold onto your child’s bike: When you hold onto your child’s bike while walking alongside them, you’re not allowing them to feel the bike and how it moves. Instead, lightly hold underneath their armpits and let them make adjustments as their bike moves from side to side. It’ll also show you trust and believe in them, whilst also letting them know that you’ll catch them if they fall.
If you start with a balance bike, the first step to teaching your toddler to balance is to stand with the bike between their legs and walk. This method lets your little one feel how much the bike weighs and how it moves, which will help them balance. Then, they’ll be ready to sit and scoot along in no time.
What is the Best Way to Teach My Toddler How to Ride a Bike?
While training wheels were once the most popular method for toddlers, most experts now recommend a balance bike. Not only can they be used as young as 18 months, but children also learn balance and coordination much sooner and more naturally than with training wheels. After teaching your child to balance on a balance bike by standing and walking, they can move on to sitting and walking, and eventually, sitting and running. When they can glide without touching the ground for periods at a time, your toddler is probably ready to move to a pedal bike.
It’s also a good idea to take your toddler to somewhere like the beach or a grassy park when learning to ride for the first time. When they fall off, you want it to happen on a soft surface. At the same time, you don’t want the surface to be difficult to ride on. Soft sand or grass is perfect.
What Should I Do if My Child Falls Off the Bike?
First and foremost, a toddler must wear a bike helmet at all times when riding outside. Another reason experts recommend a balance bike is that a child learns to balance before touching a pedal bike, leading to fewer falls. However, if your child does fall off their bike, it’s important to stay calm. Also, listening to your child’s wishes about whether they want to try again or be done riding for the day will help them have a fun bike riding experience.
How We Chose Our Favorites
We consulted with experts and parents to narrow down the very best toddler bikes for a variety of families and kids of all ages. We also tapped into these experts' advice to find out which brands were best and readily available on Amazon.
Best overall toddler bike
Our top choice for a toddler bike is the Strider balance bike, which has an adjustable seat and handlebar to suit kids from 18 months to 5 years old. Plus, the handlebars are appropriately sized for a toddler.
Here’s what reviewers have to say:
“Bought this bike for our two year old and he loves it so we love it! Super light weight and easy for him to manage. . . . I like how at barely two he can manage his bike independently. Adds to his level of confidence!”
Best budget toddler bike
This balance bike is affordable and features an easy step-in footrest design for a child’s feet, helping kids find their natural center of gravity. The EVA tires are puncture-resistant and maintenance-free.
Here’s what reviewers have to say:
“We bought this bike for our 4.5 year old daughter for Christmas. She is a very cautious child and not outdoorsy and this bike has changed her so much! In 2 weeks, she has been able to ride it well down our hill of a driveway. Her balance and coordination impresses me each day.”
Best first toddler bike
For a beginner, preschooler or toddler as young as 10 months, this bike is ideal. It grows with your child, changing from a baby walker, to a tricycle, to a balance bike.
Here’s what reviewers have to say:
“My 18 month old loves this bike! In the first day she was not interested but after showed some demonstrations, she would not stop riding it, practicing everyday to be as good as Daddy!”
Best pedal bike with training wheels
This bike has a hand brake, coaster brakes, and comes with training wheels. It features a lighter frame with cranks and pedals that are positioned forward for easier starting.
Here’s what reviewers have to say:
“This bike is so sturdy and durable and is making it easy to teach my 4 year old how to ride a big girl bicycle. She loves it. There are handlebar brakes and you can push backwards on the pedals also to break. The seat, handlebars, and training wheels all adjust to grow with your child. . . I feel comfortable with her learning to ride a bike on this bicycle as I feel it will hold up to the test of time.”
Best budget pedal toddler bike
With an affordable price tag, a durable steel frame, and a chain guard, this bike is ideal for young kids. In addition, it features a quick release for simple seat adjustments and both a hand brake and coaster brakes.
Here’s what reviewers have to say:
“Love this bike! We got the 14” and it’s a comfortable height for our newly turned 5 year old. Quick assembly with helpful instructions, high quality and aesthetically pleasing. We assembled without the training wheels - from balance bike to pedal bike. Excited to use for years to come!”
