Having problems deciding what the best gifts for a child are? A bike is a fantastic gift idea. Here are some tips on choosing the right bike from Steph, which I am sharing with permission.
It’s easy to be enticed by the latest technological fads when it comes to buying your child a present. But why automatically jump to this expensive, unhealthy and short-lived option when another savior exists? Introducing kids’ bikes, the perfect present for both boys and girls! They are affordable, long-lasting, enjoyable and more importantly they help get your kids off the sofa and out into the wilderness.
Whether your child would prefer riding over the hills and far away with a mountain bike, or cycling around their nearby park on a novelty bike adorned with their favorite cartoon characters, there’s a choice of perfect kids bikes are available at Tesco and other retailers and they’re waiting to be found! You will spend more time enjoying family life out in the sun on bike rides than you will cooped up playing the latest shoot them up! So, now you’ve seen the light and realized just how much your kids would love a bike, here’s a fool proof guide to picking the perfect one!
Choosing the right bike for your child will depend on their age and ability. Instead of getting bogged down in a sea of cycling conundrums, read on for our top tips on choosing the perfect bike for your little rider!
Toddler Bikes
The first bike most of us parents would have ridden would have undoubtedly come with stabilizers. But these days, the balance bike is a much better option. The benefit is that balance bikes enable your young rider to learn to scoot along using their feet while getting to grips with the basics of balancing, free from other complications.
2-11
Golden rule number one is to ensure that you buy a bike that fits your child properly. The danger of buying something too big for them is that until they get big enough, your child will be attempting to ride a bike that will be too heavy, difficult or dangerous for them to use.
Next, try to buy the best kids bike you can. A good quality bike will last for many years, be light and maneuverable and made using decent parts that need don’t need constant attention. You want to get your child a bike they won’t want to stop riding!
12-15
Once your child is aged 10 and up, they will be keen to ride something that resembles a grown up’s bike. It may be tempting to buy them an adult bike but until most children are a least 12 or so, such bikes are likely to be too big and way too complex for them.
The best bet for most pre-teens is a good quality bike with a decent range of gears. A bike with a single front chain ring and a wide-ranging cassette at the rear is a good option because it has basic gears without being confusing.
Follow these simple steps and you’re guaranteed to get a bike that gets used day-in day-out and put a huge smile on your little rider’s face!
Images by European Cyclists’ Federation and Brisbane City Council, used under Creative Commons license.
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My kids love to be outside and enjoying the great outdoors. Getting a new bike is something my kids would love to do!
Great idea, giving them a gift that gives family time, fresh air, exercise, and just plain fun! I am trying to cut back on the technology and this is a great idea!
We honestly just went with something the kids liked for their bikes. For mine, I was more interested in comfort and ease of use.
My kids absolutely love having a bike! It gives them so much “freedom” and I love that they get outside and exercise!
My tip is to buy a bike that’s big enough for your child to use it as he or she grows. That’s the main thing, at least it was for us.
Buy what you can afford. Bikes need to be replaced with use and growth.