Best Bicycles For Toddlers

If you want to choose the best bicycle for a toddler there are two choices.

1.) The Balance Bike. Balance bikes are designed so that toddlers can scoot or stride along on a bike without having to go through the training wheel phase. There are no pedals but the bikes teach balance, co-ordination, and steering so that toddlers can graduate onto bikes with pedals more easily.

2.) The bike with training wheels. These are traditional bikes with training wheels which will help toddlers and young children ride a bike and balance before taking the training wheels away. You can get bikes with training wheels that also have parent handles so you can push toddlers along until they learn to pedal.

Which type of bicycle should you choose for a toddler?

It does depend on your preference and the child. Many toddlers find it very challenging to pedal a bike and many will probably enjoy the balance bikes more. With balance bikes there are no worries about whether their feet will touch the pedals or if they have the strength in their legs to push them. They can pretty much use them straight away - but will just go a bit more slowly. As they get better at mastering them, they will be able to build up their speed. It also gives them the opportunity to master the balance and co-ordination needed to ride a bike without worrying about the pedals yet.

However some parents and toddlers may prefer a bike with training wheels. You don't learn how to pedal unless you practice and if the bike has a parent handle, parents can push their child around to make use of the bike first. If they can already master pedaling a trike or already have the balance and co-ordination to use a balance bike, it may be worth looking at a bike with training wheels. They can get the hang of learning to pedal on a bike.

Read on for suggestions of balance bikes and training wheels bikes. Here are the best bicycles for toddlers.

If you're looking for a bike with training wheels for a toddler that has never ridden a bike before, a bike with a parent push handle may be good choice.

The great thing about parent push handles is that children have the confidence to pedal and try to balance without the worry of falling as they know there is somebody behind them.

The Schwinn bikes below feature a parent push handle that not only pushes the bike but actually steers it (which not all parent handles do). It can also be removed easily when child is riding along so is a great first bike.

It has been designed with safety and stability in mind too. The wide street tires make the bike very stable and gives a comfortable ride. The fully enclosed chain guard keeps the child clean and safe. Heavy duty training wheels for stability and a quick release saddle adjustment for growing children. Front and rear fenders keep the road grit off the rider.

If you already have a bike you can also buy parent handles to fit onto existing bikes, check out some options below. Parent handles are great options. The parent can use the handle to steady the bike and help the child balance. When you are ready to take the training wheels of bikes off the children can learn to balance without the worry of falling. This can help them learn to balance and ride a bike more quickly.

There are some great options - one of the most popular is the balance buddy featured below - this has adjustable height control - which can help save your back.

If you've decided on a balance bike - there are lots to choose from - this shows how popular they are. There are a few things to consider.

Right seat height - The most important thing when choosing a balance bike is that your toddlers feet can touch the floor when riding them. As they will need to use their feet to push the bike along. The lowest seat height you can generally get on a balance bike is around 11 inches. To make sure you have the right seat height measure your child's inseam (from their ankle to just below their crotch). The seat height of the bike should ideally be an inch shorter than their inseam so they can easily get on and off the bike.

Height adjustment - Most balance bikes come with seat and handlebar adjustment which is a must for growing toddlers.

Lightweight or easy to carry - It's worth investing in a bike which is light or easy to carry as when your toddler gets fed up of it you can easily carry it back home / to the car for him or her. Lightweight bikes are also easier for toddlers to control. Some bikes also have a carry handle.

Age range - Some bikes are designed for toddlers as young as 18 months to use. So if you have a young toddler consider these first.

Other features - Other features of bikes include foot pegs (to rest feet when bike is in motion - great for practising balance and gliding too), handbrakes and other features such as a limited steering radius for extra safety.

There are lots of options of balance bikes for toddlers

For toddlers you are generally looking at bikes from about with a wheels size of about 10 to 12 inches.

Remember when buying a balance bike, your toddlers feet will need to be able to touch the floor so kids need balance bikes to be smaller than bikes with training wheels as with bikes with pedals their feet need to only reach the pedals.

Here are some more advantages of a balance bike.

Children can learn to ride them pretty much right away. You don't have to wait for them to master pedaling. This can help them increase their confidence as they don't have to struggle.

Children who use balances bike can make the transtion to pedal bikes quite quickly and easily and without the need of training wheels.

Balance bikes tend to be more lightweight so it's easier to carry them if your toddler gets fed up while you're out and about.

The child is in control of moving and stopping the bike so you don't have to worry about brakes.

Do you prefer balance bikes or bikes with training wheels for toddlers?