Hints and Tips
Buying your child a bike
Make sure your child has a bike that fits correctly. A bike that is too big cannot be controlled properly. A child should have both feet flat on the ground when standing straddling the top tube, and should be able to touch the ground with the toes of one foot while sitting on the seat without leaning the bike.
A good child’s bike can be as expensive to manufacture as an adult’s, so look for quality components and a design which allows the bike to ‘grow’ with your child through handlebar and saddle adjustability.
You may come under pressure from your kids to buy a bike which looks cool, but it could be a pain to ride and maintain. Although being practical, a luggage rack or mudguards may seem untrendy to an older child. You could compromise on semi-effective mountain-bike style mudguards, and kids can carry light loads in a back pack rather than in luggage panniers. Above all, don’t make it a battle: it’s better that they feel good when they ride, rather that not riding at all.