Tips on purchasing a children’s bike

When you child has outgrown his/her tricycle, balance bike or training wheels, the real work starts. You need a children’s bike and maybe you didn’t know it, but there is a lot of choice. Overwhelming! But what should you really look for when purchasing a children's bike?

Safety

Safety is of course the most important thing when choosing a children’s bike. There are many different sizes for sale and there is a reason for that. Make sure that the bike you buy is not too big. The child has to be able to reach the pedals with his/her feet and to put his/her feet on the ground when the saddle is placed in the lowest position. This is very important, especially for boy bikes as the cross bar is in the way when they have to get of their bikes quickly.

Size of the children's bike

But even if you child can reach the pedals and the ground, you need to make sure that the bike is not too heavy for your child. When your child suddenly has to stop he/she has to be able to keep the bike upright so that he/she will not fall. Don’t buy a bike too big so that you child can grow into it, but choose a bike that is safe.

Fashion

The appearance of the bike is determined by fashion. The major bicycle brands such as Batavus, Giant, Puch, Sparta and Loekie strictly follow the trends and offer the most beautiful bikes. There are sweet pink or funky purple bikes for girls and cool black, red and orange bikes for boys. Bicycle prices vary from about 125 to 400 Dollars.

Back-pedal brake or handbrake?

Most children’s bikes have a back-pedal brake and a handbrake. When choosing a bike it is important to keep in mind that children's hands are not that powerful and that is it not recommended to choose a bike with only handbrakes. A back-pedal brake is a must, a handbrake optional.

Teach your child how to cycle

The usage of a helmet during the first years a child cycles on the street is very useful. It is even better to cycle to school together. Having your child next to you (first on the sidewalk and later on the street) your child learns to pay attention to traffic and learn the traffic rules. The world on a children’s bike is very different from the world they know from walking. Plus you train the leg muscles, which are important to become skillful on the bike. The stronger the child gets, the better he or she will know how to deal with difficult situations.

Light in the darkness

The bicycle needs to have lights at the front and at the back. On every new bike from brands like Batavus and even the Hema these lights are standard. But if you buy a second hand bike you have to make sure they have lights. Always replace the batteries in time so that you child doesn’t have to cycle home without lights.

Sources: www.todio.nl