Best Bikes For Preschoolers

Are you overwhelmed by the choices available for young children's bicycles? You are not alone. Let’s look at some of the best bikes for preschoolers.

When searching for a bike, parents can often suffer “paralysis of analysis”. With so many options and factors to consider, it can be confusing. Spending a few moments educating yourself about the options available can go a long way to ensure that the first bicycle is a sweet, life-long memory.

The best bikes for preschoolers are:

• Besrey Baby
• Schwinn Roadster
• Radio Flyer Air Ride
• SmarTrike 3-in-1 Convertable
• Schwinn Grit and Petunia
• Schwinn Koen & Elm

Every parent wants to make these challenging learning experiences as smooth as possible. There will surely be bumps and bruises along the way, so be prepared with bandaids, kleenexes, and kisses. The key to making sure things end correctly is to begin correctly.

After a lifetime of cycling, interviewing bicycle shop owners, and keeping current on the trends and options available, we have compiled a list of the best bikes for preschoolers. However, a conscientious parent is uniquely qualified to understand the individual needs of their child.

‍Best tricycles for preschoolers

Although your child may feel that they are too big for a tricycle, when starting out a tricycle has its advantages. Aside from added stability, some tricycles are designed to grow with the child.

Let’s look at our two picks with their pros and cons.

Besrey baby tricycle with push handle

This hybrid design is great for the youngest and most inexperienced. It creatively combines a car seat-style chair instead of a traditional bicycle seat. This allows toddlers to pedal and steer while being safely buckled in.

Pros

• This tricycle converts from a stroller to a traditional tricycle
• Front-facing infant seat that swivels to a parent facing
• Detachable and adjustable push handle
• Anti-UV sun canopy
• Reclinable seat for nap times
• If the child is too young or too tired to pedal, there is a locking feature
• The infant seat is replaceable with a traditional seat
• The footboard allows for another child to ride on the back standing up

Cons

• Tires are solid rubber and heavier than inflatable tires
• This non-foldable design makes it heavier at 25.5 pounds
• Be prepared to help push as a parent
• Using it with two children can be a safety concern

Schwinn Roadster

This has a traditional, retro design with a low seat and forward-positioned pedals.

Pros

• A lower center of gravity makes it more stable for preschoolers
• The seat adjusts forwards and backward to grow with the child
• Comes with a safety bell

Cons

• The footboard allows for another child to ride on the back standing up, which can be a safety concern
• This develops muscle memory to pedal forward instead of directly down

Best balance or “push bikes” for preschoolers

Sometimes the multitasking necessary for riding a bike can be challenging for inexperienced riders. This type of bike is ideal for kids that are not ready to peddle their own bikes. With a balance bike, it is possible to introduce the elements of steering and balance without being overburdened with peddling.

JOYSTAR sports balance bike

This is a sports design that is ready for action. It comes in two sizes, 14 and 16-inch wheels.

Pros

• No pedaling is required as this bike is propelled by pushing with their feet on the ground
• Comes with a hand brake for the front tire
• A safety bell is included
• Four safety reflectors face the cardinal directions
• Adjustable seat for a perfect fit

Cons

• Not having pedals and gears limits this bike to relatively flat areas
• Doesn’t convert into a pedal bike

SmarTrike 3-in-1 convertible balance bike

This is a convertible design that can go from a balance bike to a traditional two-wheeled pedal bike.

Pros

• The convertibility of this bike makes it an economical option
• The low slope of the top tube on the frame makes this a good gender-neutral bike
• Training wheels could be installed to add an additional learning phase
• The conversion kit comes with a hand brake and chain guard
• Inflatable rubber tires
• Adjustable seat and extendable frame that grows with your child

Cons

• Doesn’t come with training wheels

Best two-wheeled bike with training wheels for preschoolers

For older, larger, or more experienced children a two-wheeled bike with training wheels can be a great option. Although some children may be apprehensive to use training wheels, it can be a great hybrid solution that adds stability and builds confidence.

Schwinn Grit and Petunia

This boys’ design offers a lot of options for both parents and their sons.

Pros

• Converts to a single-gear two-wheeled pedal bike
• Training wheels are included and can be removed
• Comes with a detachable handle for parents to help steer
• Inflatable rubber tires
• Adjustable seat for a perfect fit
• A safety bell is included
• This is a foot brake model
• Protective chain guard included
• Mudguard on front and back tires
• Being convertible makes this an economic choice

Cons

• The high upper tube of the frame makes this a boys' bikes
• Only comes with one safety reflector
• Only has one gear and is not multi-gear
• Doesn’t come with a kickstand because of the training wheels
• No handbrakes on the handlebars

Schwinn Koen & Elm

This girl's design is a stylish two-wheeled bike that has detachable training wheels.

Pros

• Converts to a single-gear two-wheeled pedal bike for girls
• Training wheels are included and can be removed
• Inflatable rubber tires
• Adjustable seat for a perfect fit
• Front and rear hand brakes on the handlebars
• Protective chain guard included
• Mudguard on front and back tires
• Comes with a kickstand and a basket for carrying things
• Being convertible makes this an economic choice

Cons

• Safety bell isn’t included
• Doesn’t come with any safety reflectors
• Only has one gear and is not multi-gear

What size bike is correct for my child’s height?

According to Stanford University, the average height for a preschool girl is 34.5 to 42 inches, and the average height for a preschool boy is 35.5 to 43 inches. Obviously, children come in all shapes and sizes, but these averages are a good place to start.

Another strategy for determining the correct height of your preschooler's first bike is their inseam measurement.  An inseam is the length from the crotch of the pants to the bottom of the leg.

When taking this measurement, I like to put a book in between the legs and lightly mark it on the wall with a pencil to indicate the height of the crotch. Then with a measuring tape, I can measure down to the floor to get the inseam measurement.

The inseam measurement can aid in determining the correct height of the bike. Typically, the wheel size for children’s bikes is between 12 and 24 inches.

Also, manufacturers' recommendations, such as the one provided by Schwinn, can be helpful:

• 1 to 4 years old: 12-inch wheels
• 3 to 4: 14-inch wheels
• 3 to 7: 16-inch wheels
• 5 to 9: 18-inch wheels
• 7 to 13: 20-inch wheels
• 10 to 15: 24-inch wheels

What bike size is correct for my child’s weight?

Although height varies among boys and girls, their average weight is the same, namely 26 to 44 pounds. A good rule proposed by REI is the bicycle should not weigh more than 50% of the weight of the child that will be riding it.

Bike weight is an important factor because if the bicycle is too heavy for the child, it can be exhausting and difficult to ride. Maintaining speed is necessary to create the gyroscopic force that encourages the bike to stay upright.

The combination of height and weight becomes even more of a factor if the child is larger than average. Having a proper center of gravity is vital to avoid toppling over. If your child has balance challenges, one accessory that could add stability and confidence is a backrest. We recommend the Trail-A-Bike backrest.

How do I know if my child’s bike fits them?

Adult bikes are measured by frame size. However, children’s bicycles are measured by wheel size. Choosing the correct bike for your child is more than a matter of comfort. If the bike is ill-fitted for the child, it can quickly turn into a safety issue.

Here are 3 things to consider when buying a preschooler’s first bike:

1. Overall bike height

The child should be able to stand flat-footed on the ground and not have their crotch come in contact with the top tube of the frame. Many girls' bikes do not have this top tube, but the general measurement still applies.

2. Handlebars

Handlebars should be accessible without overextending. A slight bend in the elbows while gripping the handlebars helps to maintain control.

3. Seat height

It is my recommendation that all children's bikes should be purchased with an adjustable seat. If there is one constant with children, they grow.

As the child grows it is important to adjust their bicycle seat’s height from time to time. Just like the child’s elbows should be slightly bent when gripping the handlebars, likewise, the child’s legs should be slightly bent at the knee when fully extending the pedals.

If the rider’s legs are over or under extended when riding, it can cause safety issues such as lack of acceleration and improper braking if the bike is equipped with a foot brake.

How can I proactively prepare my child for their first bike?

There are some strategies and accessories that parents can use to help facilitate and prepare their children for the process of learning to ride a bike. Starting early with bicycle baby seats, front seats, and tandem bars is recommended. As with many things, the earlier the better.

The best way to develop a bike rider is to be one yourself. The benefits for a family to ride bikes are too numerous to list. However, while helping the environment, many have found bike riding to be beneficial to the health of their family. A family that rides together, stays together.

Here are 3 suggestions to help your young rider get a head start:

1. Install a GemonExe rear bike seat

If you yourself are a cyclist, a great way to prepare your child is to start with a baby seat attached behind you on your adult bike. We recommend the GemonExe Rear bike seat.

This may seem like it’s not doing much to develop an independent biker, but looks are deceiving. Children that are passengers on their parent’s bikes are learning more than one may think.

The fundamentals of cycling are speed and balance, both of which are being felt by the child instinctively. Getting the feel for the mechanics of riding a bike can be a great way to acclimatize your child, especially when leaning into a turn.

2. Install a XIEEIX kids front bike seat

As your child grows, a creative solution is to move them from the baby seat behind you to a seat attachment in front of you. We recommend XIEEIX Kids Front Bike Seat with handlebars and foot stirrups. This gives the feeling of independence as they adjust to the handlebars, gravity, and motion.

Going from being seated behind to in front of their parents, they are “in charge.” These forward-facing seats are often sold in a combo kit that includes a set of mini handlebars and foot stirrups for your child.

Essentially, they have all the elements of riding independently except for pedaling. Being able to feel the steering process engages the valuable education strategy of mimicry. By feeling exactly what you are doing, they themselves are absorbing the techniques through osmosis, as it were.

3. Install a Kiussi tandem bar

Once your child has grown bored of the front seat or the back seat of your bike, it may be time to install a tandem bar. We recommend Kiussi tandem bars to connect the parents’ bike to the child’s bike.

Because a tandem bar attaches the parents' bicycle to the child's bicycle, this gives the sensation of independence while the parents still have all the control.

This allows a preschooler to ride their own bike with little risk of falling over. This a great way to build confidence through an “umbilical system.” A major advantage to this set-up is that the children are allowed to pedal their own bike unless it is a balance bike.

Additionally, if the child’s bike is equipped with a foot brake, you can verbally instruct them to do the stopping. At every stage, it is important to explain and give instructions to reinforce what they are instinctually learning.

Here are some examples:

• “Here comes a big turn. Lean right/left.”
• “Here comes a hill, let’s pedal harder.”
• “Here comes a stop sign, let’s hit the brake.”

Allowing the child to pedal and brake helps to incorporate all the elements that they have learned so far, namely leaning and steering.

Single gear or multi-gear?

Ultimately, if the child progresses and continues riding bicycles, they will end up with a multi-gear bicycle. When climbing hills, having a multi-geared bicycle is imperative. However, many children's bikes only come with one gear and this is fine, to begin with.

Perhaps your child is not a beginner and is ready for a children's traditional two-wheeled pedal bike. Maybe they have already gone through the tricycle or balance bike stage and are ready to advance, or maybe they are just fast learners.

As a doctor diagnoses a patient, parents must honestly access their own child’s abilities. It is important to make a strategy for your child that is age and ability appropriate.

What can I do to take my child to the next level in cycling?

It’s a multi-gear world for adults, so that should be the ultimate goal for children as they develop. The options available allow parents to create as many steps as their child needs to become proficient with a multi-gear bike.

Here are the best bikes that are two-wheeled and multi-geared:

Huffy kids Hardtail multi-gear mountain bike for boys

This boys’ design offers a lot of options for both parents and their sons.

Pros

• Has six gears to choose from
• Front suspension for mountain biking
• Wider inflatable rubber tires
• Adjustable seat for a perfect fit
• Front and rear handbrakes
• Has “shifter-twists” on the handles for changing gears

Cons

• The high upper tube of the frame makes this a boys' bikes
• Protective chain guard not included
• Mudguard not included on front and back tires
• Doesn’t comes with safety reflectors
• Doesn’t come with a kickstand

Schwinn High Timber multi-gear mountain bike for girls

This girl's design has 21 gears to get her where she needs to go.

Pros

• Has 21 gears to choose from

• Front suspension for better performance
• Inflatable rubber tires suitable for on or off-road
• Adjustable seat for a perfect fit
• Front and rear handbrakes
• Has “shifter-twists” on the handles for changing gears

Cons

• Protective chain guard not included
• Mudguard not included on front and back tires
• Doesn’t comes with safety reflectors
• Doesn’t come with a kickstand

A word about safety

It has often been said that “Children don’t do what we say, but they do what we do.” The best way to ensure that your child is safety conscience is to model proper bike riding safety.

In the United States, bicycles are legally considered vehicles and come with the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. Bicycle safety goes beyond wearing a helmet.

Here is a brief list compiled by the Department of Transportation:

• Riding in the street is the safest place for adults. However, for children under 10 years of age, the safest place to ride is on the sidewalk.
• When riding on the sidewalk, be aware of cars pulling in and out of driveways.
• Alert pedestrians and other cyclists when passing by saying something like, “Passing on your left/right.”
• Never enter the street from the sidewalk by passing between parked cars. It is safer to enter a street at the corner or, preferably a traffic light.
• If riding in the street, always ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
• Obey all traffic laws and yield to traffic when riding in the street.
• Be visible by using high-visibility clothing and reflective tape on yourself, and reflectors on your bike.
• Install mirrors and a horn.
• Young riders can be benefitted from protective knee and elbow pads, as well as gloves.
• Safely walk your bike across intersections.
• Make sure that nothing will get caught in the bicycle chain such as shoelaces and pantlegs.
• Never wear headphones when riding a bike as they interfere with hearing warning signs like honking horns and shouts.
• Ride single file and never side by side while riding in the street.
• Teach your child hand signals and practice them while not actively riding:

• Left turn: Holding your arm out straight indicates one is about to make a left-hand turn
• Right turn: Holding your arm up in an “L” shape with the elbow bent indicates you are about to make a right-hand turn.
• Full stop: Making the same motion as the right turn, but with your hand down instead of up, indicates you are about to stop.

The big picture

No one gets on a bike for the first time and rides perfectly. Like most things in life, it is a process. This process can be made a little smoother if a comprehensive and systematic approach is taken.

If a preschooler has absolutely no experience with a bike, their learning curve is going to be steep. As much as we would like to as parents, it is impossible to remove all the obstacles from our children’s paths.

However, being proactive and starting as early as possible can help to make the process a little less frustrating for both.

Riding a bicycle is an eco-friendly way to feel freedom and independence, which are both major developmental markers for children. Running breathlessly behind your child and seeing them succeed for the first time in riding alone brings a sense of victory and accomplishment, for both parent and child.

It all starts with forming a strategy that works for your specific child's needs and, of course, buying the best bike for your preschooler.

What if I still feel the “paralysis of analysis?”

If you are still uncertain. that’s OK. It just means that you care. If you are still in doubt, go to a reputable dealer with your child’s measurements in hand and allow the sales professional to give their advice.

In the end, with diligence and consideration, you and your child will find the right solution for your situation, together. If in doubt, buy the bike with a good return policy or an exchange program and see how your child progresses.

My personal choice

My personal favorite solution is a two-wheeled, multi-geared bike with training wheels and a detachable assist bar, like the Schwinn Grit and Petunia model reviewed above.

This combination of features is convertible, meaning it changes as the child's needs change. This is why it’s an economical solution for parents looking to make one purchase.