Buying a bike for your child - how to choose the right one?

A bicycle is a great gift, and cycling is a fantastic activity for a child. However, adults purchasing a bicycle for a child need to be aware of several things to ensure the child's safety, enjoyment, confidence, and comfort while riding. So, what are the main points to consider when buying a bicycle for a child?

Balance Bikes – For Early Balance Development

One of the most important things when acquiring a bike is learning to ride and maintain balance. For many children, this can be a source of stress and fear. To avoid this, balance bikes, i.e., pedal-less bikes, allow the child to move by pushing with their feet.

An adult, whose vestibular system is fully developed, cannot imagine the immense benefit a balance bike has on a developing child's body. Riding a balance bike develops balance, strengthens the vestibular system, and improves coordination. A child who used a balance bike at an early age feels much more confident when transitioning to a real bike, learns to ride faster, and enjoys riding more.

Where Will Your Child Ride – In the City or Natural Terrain?

Children's bicycles are designed for different surfaces – asphalt roads, bike paths, or natural surfaces such as off-road, sand, and grass.

Bicycles for the city have thinner tires, roll more easily, and are more enjoyable to ride. One of the most popular children's bicycles for city riding is the Specialized Jett. This bike is also special because it is designed for a rapidly growing child. Its handlebar, seat, and pedal height are adjustable, meaning the bike will last for more than one summer.

Bicycles designed for nature riding have wider tires with deeper treads. This ensures better grip on the surface, better maneuverability, and reduces the likelihood of falls and injuries. The BMC Twostroke bike is ideal for nature riding.

A better choice means the child will feel more comfortable, be safer, and enjoy riding more.

The Ability to Ride Also Means the Ability to Stop in Time

Once a child can ride, maintain balance, and move freely, there is another important skill – learning to notice obstacles on the road, assess distance, braking trajectory, and stop in time. What to do to avoid running over bushes and flower beds and reduce braking incidents?

In terms of braking quality, hydraulic brakes are the most effective of all brake types, including V-brake, mechanical, and hydraulic. This is the ideal option for a child who has not yet learned to maintain focused attention or assess surrounding obstacles. The mentioned BMC Twostroke bike comes with hydraulic brakes.

Accessories for a More Enjoyable and Safer Ride

Riding a bike, especially when essential skills are not yet developed, presents many challenges, and any inconvenience can be distracting. At this stage, every detail and maximum comfort are important for the child.

Sitting on a bike seat is unusual and uncomfortable? Cycling shorts with special padding ensure that the child does not feel discomfort while sitting on the bike. Where to put house keys, phone, or other important items that can poke the side when placed in pant pockets? Cycling jerseys with special pockets at the back are designed for this purpose.

These accessories are intended to help the child focus on cycling rather than thinking about how to sit more comfortably or where to store their belongings.

A Bicycle is Not a Toy

A bicycle, even if purchased for a child, is not a toy in the conventional sense of the word. Adults must remember and remind children that safety requirements must be followed when riding a bike – individuals under 18 must wear a cycling helmet, and bike reflectors or lights are mandatory for both adults and children.

A child's bike, like an adult's, must be carefully maintained – regularly check the tire pressure, lubricate the bike chain, and more. Once a year, we always recommend a more thorough bike check-up.

The Last but No Less Important Question – How to Choose the Right Bike?

Often, parents or other adults want to surprise a child by giving them a bike as a gift for a special occasion. When they come to the store, they say – we are looking for a bike for a 7-year-old child. However, a bike for a child is selected based on height, not age. If you cannot or do not want to come to the store with the child – make sure to note the child's height accurately.

Even better, come to the store with the child. Even if it is a birthday gift – let the surprise be a visit to the store and a responsible choice related to the upcoming birthday, greater responsibility, and maturity.