The 9 Best Bikes for Kids of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Joystar Kids Bike at Amazon

"Ideal for learners, it’s equipped with a foot or hand brake while the durable steel frame is designed for kids on-the-go."

Best Budget: Huffy Rock It Boys Bike at Walmart

"A bike that’s easy on the wallet without sacrificing safety, this single-speed option is equipped with safety measures."

Best for New Riders: SmarTrike Breeze Toddler Tricycle at Amazon

"Ideal for transitioning from a bike seat to the open road, this pick can be used as a ride-on and two types of tricycles."

Best Balance: Strider Sport Balance Bike at rei.com

"Designed for young beginners, your child can skip training wheels altogether thanks to the bike’s balance-styled design."

Best Mountain: Hyper Bicycles Kids Mountain Bike at Amazon

"Perfect for more advanced bike riders, this mountain bike features hand brakes, seven speeds, and an adjustable seat."

Best Premium: Segway Ninebot Kids' Bike at Amazon

"It’s designed to give your kid a comfortable ride with an adjustable seat, front-wheel suspension, and easy operation."

Best Transitional: Co-op Cycles REV Kids' Bike at rei.com

"Kiddos can comfortably learn to ride on this single-speed bike with removable training wheels and a rear coaster brake. "

Best BMX: RoyalBaby Kids' Bike at Amazon

"The seat and handlebar heights are both adjustable while the chain guard works to prevent injuries."

Best Lightweight: Woom Bike at us.woombikes.com

"This bike is known for its lightweight aluminum design with a low entry point, allowing kids to hop on-and-off as they please."

There’s nothing quite as fun for a kid as going outside and cruising around the neighborhood on their bike. Bike riding is not only fun, but it’s also great exercise, helps develop gross motor skills, and is an activity they’ll be able to do into adulthood. Still, you want to be sure your child is riding a bike that is safe and will hold up as long as possible.

If you’re in the market for a new ride for your little one, here are some of the best bikes for kids to choose from.

Best Overall: Joystar Totem Kids Bike

In addition to its cool design and multiple color options, this bike is great for children from ages 2 to 9 years old. It comes with training wheels for little ones who are learning how to ride a bike but can be taken off when ready, allowing kids to ride on just two wheels. Parents love that the bike arrives with 85 percent of the assembly already complete.

It is equipped with a foot brake for younger kids but does come with a hand brake option for older children. The bike’s premium steel frame is specifically designed to survive any bumps for kids on the go. For children who are just beginning to ride a bike, parents can help out thanks to the seat’s holder-style design.

Best Budget: Huffy 18-inch Rock It Boys’ Bike

Huffy 18” Rock It Boys’ Bike — Courtesy of Walmart

For someone looking for a bike that’s easy on the wallet without sacrificing safety, this 18-inch Huffy bike has you covered. The single-speed bike comes with training wheels that can be removed to turn the bike into a two-wheeler, and a padded seat with adjustable height. Your child just needs to push the pedals back to stop while riding thanks to the coaster brakes.

It also features a bright yellow design and reflectors to make it easily visible, has durable rims to keep it looking nice, and has comfortable hand grips to avoid slipping. This bike is best for kids between 4 and 8 years old, or those between 42 to 48 inches tall.

Best for New Riders: SmarTrike Breeze 3-in-1 Toddler Tricycle

Once your little one is tired of riding in a bike trailer or bike seat and is ready to start learning how to hit the open road themself, this 3-in-1 bike is a great introduction. Available in four colors, this bike can be configured into a ride-on bike with a parent handle and safety sides to avoid falls, a tricycle with a parent handle, or a traditional tricycle.

Kids as young as 15 months can be pushed around in the first stage configuration and the third stage can hold kiddos up to 37 pounds.

Best Balance: Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike

STRIDER 12 Sport Kids' Balance Bike — Courtesy of Rei

Balance bikes are designed to teach young kids how to ride a bike, but instead of focusing on peddling it focuses on balance, so your child can skip training wheels altogether.

This particular balance bike is designed for kids between 18 months and 5 years and is built with 12-inch wheels. It’s made with a durable lightweight steel frame and ergonomically-padded seat. As for maintenance, the tires never go flat, and children can even rest their feet on the built-in footrests.

Best Mountain: Hyper Bicycles Shocker Kids Mountain Bike

Hyper 20" Shocker Kids Mountain Bike, Black — Courtesy of Walmart

For more advanced bike riders, this mountain bike has 20-inch wheels, hand brakes, and seven speeds, which can be changed using a hand-controlled grip twist. The rear wheel features suspension to make off-roading rides a little less bumpy and the seat height can be easily adjusted without the use of tools.

This bike is designed for kids between 4 feet 2 inches and 5 feet tall and 135 pounds or less.

Best Premium: Segway Ninebot Kids’ Bike

If you’re looking for a top-quality bike, consider this one with 18-inch wheels, a kickstand, and both coaster and hand brakes. Additional safety features include adjustable rim brakes to fit your child’s hands and a fully enclosed chain to avoid pinches.

It’s also designed to give your kid a comfortable ride with an ergonomic seat with adjustable height, front-wheel suspension, and easy operation. Kids between 5 and 10 years old can safely ride this super sleek and stylish bike.

Best Transitional: Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids’ Bike

Kids 80 pounds or less can comfortably learn to ride on this single-speed bike with removable training wheels, rear coaster brake, and adjustable seat.

It has 16-inch wheels and a durable steel frame so the bike will last and look good while doing it. The bike also comes with a pack of stickers so your child can customize it to their liking.

Best BMX: RoyalBaby Freestyle Kids’ Bike

Available in a variety of colors, this bike comes with 18-inch wheels, a kickstand, and an attached water bottle. It has both rear coaster and hand brakes so kids between 3 and 9 years old can use whichever system works best for them.

Both the seat and handlebar heights can be adjusted, there is a chain guard to avoid injuries, and the bike is made with a durable steel frame to help it last for years.

Best Lightweight: Woom 1 Bike

Coming in at 6.6 pounds, this bike is one of the lightest bikes on the market thanks to its light, aluminum material. It's designed with a seat low enough for young children to easily hop on-and-off when they'd like.

The tires are 12 inches, but Woom designs bikes for older kids as well. This particular bike is great for beginners because of its specially-designed steering limiter, leaving behind oversteering, swerving, and less accidents.

Final Verdict

There are a lot of factors that go into finding the right bike for your child, like age, skill level, and general interests. However, if you’re simply in the market for a bike that is durable and safe, go with the Joystar Totem Kids Bike (view at Amazon) or the Hyper Bicycles Shocker Kids Mountain Bike (view at Amazon) for advanced riders.

What to Look for When Buying Bikes for Kids

Size

The most important factor when it comes to purchasing a bike for your child is the size restriction. All bike manufacturers include sizing guidelines, from height to weight, to ensure that you are choosing a bike that fits your child's body properly for a safe and comfy ride.

Capability

Is your child a bike riding newbie or are they basically a pro? Keeping in mind their capability will help guide you when choosing a bike. For your new riders, a balancing bike or one with training wheels will be the best option. For your experienced riders, a dirt bike or an option designed for older kids would be ideal.

Style

There are lots of bike styles out there for your little one to choose from. From colors to accessories, there are seemingly endless options. Consider the design that fits your child's personal style so that they are even more excited to ride it.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old.

In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

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